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6105
Appendix T2 Office
Ergonomics |
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Good ergonomics minimizes physical distractions and reduces the
risk of injury. This appendix provides
some universally applicable suggestions that may be helpful when setting up an
ergonomically correct work station. Jefferson Lab believes that ergonomics-related
injuries are a hazard
issue and offers ergonomic consultations and
reasonable equipment accommodations to alleviate some of the more common causes
of injury related to office work.
This appendix applies to workers who are subject to prolonged repetitive motion, which can cause strain injury; long-term sitting, which can cause leg, back, and upper torso pain; and extended viewing of a computer-screen, which can cause eyestrain. The information is to be used to assist in choosing and setting up your office work station in order to mitigate the risk of these types of injury. These guidelines are not meant to replace individualized recommendations available through an authorized ergonomic consultation.
The process steps for this procedure are performed in coordination with ES&H Manual Chapter 6106 Office Safety.
NOTE: Management authority may be delegated at the discretion of the responsible manager.
·
Make a
request to your Supervisor/Subcontracting Officer’s Technical
Representative/Sponsor for an ergonomic consultation if you have problems or
concerns related to ergonomic conditions.
It is also appropriate to request an ergonomics consultation for
prevention, or as a matter of best practice.
3.2
Supervisor/Subcontracting Officer’s Technical
Representative (SOTR)/Sponsor
·
Contact Occupational
Medicine and schedule an ergonomics consultation when necessary.
· Provide for reasonable equipment
accommodations as recommended by the Jefferson Lab authorized ergonomic consultation.
·
Perform
ergonomic consultations as requested in accordance with recognized industry
standards.
· Recommend reasonable equipment accommodations
to alleviate the more common health issues
related to office work.
· Provide a copy of the consultation findings to the Supervisor/SOTR/Sponsor and the individual.
4.1
Repetitive
Motion (Keyboarding, Mousing, Writing)
Though not the only culprits for repetitive motion injury in an office, keyboarding, mousing, and writing are the most common. Things to consider when setting up an office work station include:
4.1.1
Height
At correct height, a keyboard allows your upper and
lower arms to be at an approximately ninety-degree angle while typing. Positioning the keyboard in your lap may
provide optimum alignment.
4.1.2
Angulation
Your wrists should be in a straight or “neutral”
position, or with only a slight tilt up or down. Certain ergonomic keyboard designs attempt to
match the plane of the keys to a more natural wrist and hand alignment. Some users also find it beneficial to alter
the keyboard angle throughout the day.
4.1.3
Position
The keyboard should be squarely in front of you. Even a slight misalignment causes stress on
the upper body.
4.1.4
Wrist Support
The wrists should be supported while typing. If the workstation is well designed, the
keyboard support surface will offer proper wrist support.
The single most important piece of office equipment is your
chair. Studies show that 25 to 50
percent of workers who habitually sit in incorrectly fitted or poorly adjusted
chairs suffer from back problems.
4.2.1
Height
The correct height for a chair seat from the floor is when both feet are flat on the floor and thighs and shins are perpendicular.
4.2.2 Depth
A chair should support your thighs to within 2-3
inches of your inner knee surface.
4.2.3
Adjustability
Minimally, adjustments should include seat and back
height, armrest height, tilt tension, and back angle. If more than one person uses a chair it
should be easily adjustable.
4.2.4
Chair Back
The lower curve of the back (the lumbar area) should
be well supported by the chair back.
4.2.5
Arm Rests
Your arms should be supported slightly while typing. Proper armrests need not be very long
horizontally, but their height should be adjustable to swivel outward when they
are not needed.
4.2.6
Stability
Office work chairs should have at least five legs
with casters.
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Chair mats are recommended for carpeted floors to prevent carpet wear and facilitate chair movement, preventing possible backache from the exertion required to move a chair that is on carpet. |
4.3
Extended
Viewing (Computer Monitors)
Many individuals who work for extended periods on a computer experience visual stress. Viewing distances and angles used for computer work are often different from those commonly used for other tasks. Following are recommendations to consider when performing computer work for extended periods of time:
4.3.1
Height
The top of your screen should be at, or slightly
below, eye level, with your head in a normal, erect position.
4.3.2
Tilt
Ideally, the screen surface should be tilted slightly
upward to eliminate optical distortion.
4.3.3
Distance
On average most people place their monitor
approximately 18 to 24 inches away from the face. This can be altered based on personal
preference and corrective lens requirements.
4.3.4
Brightness, Contrast, and Color
The screen should be sufficiently bright to overcome
incidental glare from lighting. Experiment
with different contrast and color settings to make best use of the background
formats you use most often.
4.3.5
Image
Monitors eventually lose image quality. Screen-saver features help prevent this
problem, but monitors should be replaced when images begin to deteriorate.
Setting the screen refresh rate properly prevents flicker. Select a rate at the upper end of the range
recommended by the monitor manufacturer.
4.4.1
Document Holders
Documents that are being read during typing should
not be flat on the desk. They should be
in a near vertical position, on the same focal plane as the screen, avoiding the
need to turn your head or change eye focus while typing.
4.4.2
Corrective Lenses
Uncorrected or improperly corrected vision problems are more likely to cause or exacerbate visual fatigue. The use of corrective lenses should have no effect on your ability to use a monitor so long as the prescription factors in computer use.
Lenses recommended for monitor use,
in order of preference:
1. Monofocal: single-prescription
eyewear selected specifically for your type of computer use.
2. Full-width or flat-top bifocal: different correction for
near and distance vision. When wearing
these if you must tilt your head back (or into an uncomfortable position), you
need a different type of lens.
3. Progressive lens: the “no-line” lens that corrects vision in
a gradual manner from near to distance.
Progressive lenses generally do not provide a sufficiently large zone of
correction for the field of view required for computer use.
5.0
Revision Summary
Revision 1 – 12/21/10 – Updated to reflect current laboratory
operations.
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ISSUING
AUTHORITY |
TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT |
APPROVAL
DATE |
EXPIRATION
DATE |
REV. |
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ESH&Q Division |
12/21/10 |
12/21/15 |
1 |
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