Laboratory Ergonomics

In addition to the risk of working daily with hazardous materials and substances, laboratory personnel are also exposed to many ergonomic risks due to the nature of their work and research they conduct.  Laboratory-associated ergonomic risks are the same as those found in the office and general industry.  These risk factors include awkward or sustained postures, highly repetitive movements, excessive force or strain, contact stresses, and vibration.

In the lab, good ergonomic work practices are often sacrificed.  Don't wait for your wake up call, visit our website and complete an ergonomic checklist for your lab or work station.

www.ergonomicworks.com 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Tingling Fingers or Finger Numbness?

Dealing with tingling fingers? If so, you may be wondering if the next step is going to be finger numbness. This is definitely a good question. The problem with tingling fingers is that they can be a symptom of several different problems, with the two most common being carpal tunnel syndrome and RSI (repetitive stress injuries). Both of these problems can cause tingling fingers. However, you may be wondering if it is going to only get worse from here. Well, let's take a closer look at the problems and how they often progress.

Carpal Tunnel and RSI

Both carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries can cause tingling fingers as well as numbness of the fingers. Carpal tunnel is a problem that deals with the median nerve. Often the carpal tunnel is compressed and presses down on the nerve, causing pain, tingling, and in some cases, even numbness. Repetitive stress injuries are a bit different, although they can include the carpal tunnel. They are injuries that occur because of a motion that is done repetitively, or over and over again. This can definitely cause some painful symptoms, including tingling in the fingers.

Usually Tingling Occurs First

In most cases of carpal tunnel and RSI, you will find that the tingling in the fingers occurs first. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes you will find that the numbness in the fingers can occur first. At times these symptoms may be exclusive of each other, but usually you will find that they do come in pairs.

In Some Cases Finger Numbness Occurs

If you are already dealing with finger tingling, you may find that finger numbness is not far behind. This doesn't always occur this way though. There are some cases when both the tingling and the numbness occur together. In other cases, you may find that the tingling occurs and numbness never ends up occurring.

Ignoring the Problem causes More Problems

While it may seem admirable or courageous to ignore carpal tunnel symptoms, such as finger numbness, in order to keep your job, this can actually cause even more problems. In fact, just ignoring any carpal tunnel symptoms that you have in the beginning can lead to a more severe case of the problem in the long run. It is only early diagnosis and treatment that can help to keep this problem from getting worse, keeping employees more productive when they are on the job.

Let’s us help you contact us at www.ergonomicworks.com. Also watch our video on YouTube by clicking on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

Computer Workers Benefit and Possible Drawbacks from Keyboard Wrist Rest

Computer Workers Benefit from Keyboard Wrist Rest

For those who work at computers all the time, one of the best pieces of equipment to have is a good keyboard wrist rest. They can help to prevent repetitive stress injuries and even carpal tunnel syndrome. These wrist rests are designed in such a way that they keep the wrists from being able to bend backwards while users are typing or using the mouse. They help to take some of the pressure from the shoulders and provide a softer surface for the wrist to lie on.

Possible Drawbacks

First of all, there are a few drawbacks to some keyboard wrist rests that you need to be aware of. In some cases, if the rest is too high or thick, it can cause the wrist to flex forward, which can be damaging. For rests that come with sharper edges, they can end up being uncomfortable. In some cases, certain designs of wrist rests can actually cause pressure on the carpal tunnel, leading to median nerve compression. These are just a few drawbacks that you'll want to watch out for when considering a wrist rest for your keyboard. With many different designs on the market, careful shopping will allow you to choose the right wrist rest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

Causes of Stress at Work – Could It Be Your Workstation Set-Up?

When you think of your workstation set-up, you probably think of where your phone, your stapler, your personal items, and maybe where your coffee cup sit. You probably don’t think much about whether your computer workstation is set up for the a little or a lot of stress. There’s more to stress at work than just the demands of your productivity.  Just sitting at a computer all day can give your body a tremendous amount of stress if not set up properly. Stress on your neck, shoulders, back, elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands are all part of a poorly aligned computer workstation.  The way you sit and use your computer can cause chronic pain and stress. That tight neck and aching shoulders could be coming from the way you sit and use your computer rather than mental stress and strain. This stress and strain can be a big drain on your productivity and on your physical well-being.

To ease the physical stress on your body during work, make sure you workstation is set to provide you the best ergonomic environment. 

Your monitor should sit centered so your eyes focus on the top of the monitor, about arm's length away. Place you keyboard in the center.

Your desk should be about belly button height.  Usually this is between twenty and twenty-eight inches from the floor. If you have a fixed desk height, you may consider using a keyboard tray to place your keyboard and mouse at the proper height for optimal ergonomics.  Also make sure there is sufficient space under your desk for your legs to be in a comfortable position no matter which way you are sitting. Minimum under desk clearance for your legs should be fifteen inches from your knees. Making a few simple changes to your desk can produce a much more comfortable and less stressful work environment.

Avoid glass desktops or any finish that could cause a glare. Even a small amount of glare at your workstation can place undue stress on your eyes.

Your chair should allow your knees to be at ninety degree angles with feet flat on the floor and should allow you to sit up straight with sufficient back support.

Just following these simple set-up rules will reduce stress on you upper body. Check your workstation and make adjustments as recommended. You’ll be pleasantly rewarded with less stress. Contact us if you would like personal Ergonomic assessment of your workstation.

www.ergonomicworks.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

Is Your Workstation Set-up Causing Neck and Shoulder Pain Check Your Set Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

The set-up of your workstation may be the root of your neck and shoulder discomfort. If your workstation does not allow for these simple keys to an ergonomic supporting workstation, make the changes needed today.

If the height of your desk doesn’t match the height at which you are sitting, you are probably raising your shoulders constantly as you work.  As desk that is too high will cause you to raise your shoulders to prop on the desk.  This results in strain and pain.  Also a desk that is too low can have you stretching and reaching and constantly looking down as you work, resulting once again in shoulder and neck pain.

Your monitor position should be exactly at eye level. This will keep you from continually looking up or down causing unnecessary stress on your neck and shoulders. If you need to raise your monitor to reach the proper height, a monitor stand is a great solution.

Your head and neck staying in line with your body can help eliminate the neck and shoulder pain you are feeling. The right office chair will give you the support you need to keep your back in the right positions to help support the best posture for your upper body. 

Awkward positions can cause stress on your neck, shoulders, and spine. Choosing the right workstation and equipment will help eliminate the chance of lasting neck and shoulder pain.

www.ergonomicworks.com

How to Reduce a Common Shoulder Discomfort:

How to Reduce a Common Shoulder Discomfort:

Cradling the telephone handset between your shoulder and ear can result in shoulder discomfort. A Plantronics headset eliminates the need to hold the telephone in this uncomfortable position. Your shoulders can stay completely relaxed as you enjoy a new level of comfort and freedom.

Reduce Neck Aches: 

Squeezing the telephone between your shoulder and ear can be very stressful on your neck, often causing muscle spasms and stiffness. With a Plantronics headset you can keep your neck in an upright position. You'll appreciate the difference immediately.

Increase Blood Flow and Reduce Muscle Fatigue:

Craning your neck during extended phone calls can lead to improper cervical alignment. The result can be reduced blood flow and accelerated muscle fatigue. Plantronics headsets help to eliminate this problem by freeing you to move and sit more naturally.

Increase Productivity:

By making your workstation more comfortable and by freeing up your hands for other tasks, you'll find that you can get more work done each day.

Reduce Workers' Compensation Costs:

Headsets are known to reduce the chances of work-related physical disorders, specifically injuries of the neck and upper body, resulting in reduced workers' compensation costs

 Visit our website , we can help you.

www.ergonomicworks.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Why Ergonomic/ Ergonomic Video Training

Please watch and share the video if you find this training interesting.

Thank you so much
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Stretching and strengthening at your workstation will help you to prevent work injury

Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a potentially debilitating condition resulting from overusing the hands to perform a repetitive task, such as typing, clicking a mouse, or writing. Anyone who uses a computer regularly is at risk and should know about RSI. Unfortunately, most people are uninformed and do not understand what RSI is or how serious it can be. This webpage is intended to educate computer users about RSI, and to provide useful suggestions for prevention and treatment. Much of the information provided here is also relevant for RSIs derived from other activities such as playing an instrument, gaming, or any other repetitive task. The page additionally contains a few specific pieces of advice for students.

Preventing RSI

As with all health-related issues, it is wise to eat well, exercise, listen to your body, and avoid destructive behavior. However, there are some specific precautions you can take to help prevent the onset of RSI.

Stretching and strengthening

In this section I offer some specific recommendations for stretching and strengthening exercises that have helped me. These fall under the category of prevention as well as recovery. Most of them you can easily do in your office during breaks. Contact Ergonomicworks if you need further individual assistance. Or if you feel on of the following:

• Avoid using the injured hand?
• Use your nondominant hand more frequently?
• Use your forearm, feet, or shoulder to open doors?
• Avoid wearing or buying certain kinds of clothing because it is too difficult to put them on?
• Change shopping habits because you can't carry as much as he wants could?
• Keep dropping things?
• Find you can't chop food?
• Not play sports you once enjoyed?
• Have trouble hooking bras or putting on jewelry?
• Not wear bracelets because your wrists are tender?
• Have trouble with keys or brushing teeth?
• Feel overly protective of your hands?

                     Ergonomic Educational Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

                                                         www.ergonomicworks.com

Laptop Ergonomics-Tips for Relaxed and safe positions

Position the laptop and keyboard at elbow height, and keep your wrists straight while keying.

Experiment with table and chair height as well as Laptop Ergonomics keyboard angle to maintain neutral wrist positions.

Keep your head and neck in a relaxed posture; avoid excessive neck flexion or rotation.

Schedule mini-breaks every 20 to 30 minutes to avoid repetition and static positions.

If you have to raise your chair, use a footrest to support your feet. When seated your hips should be slightly higher than your knees.

Add an external Laptop Ergonomic keyboard and place it on an adjustable Laptop Ergonomicskeyboard/mouse platform.

Attach an external Laptop Ergonomics mouse instead of using the small constricted touchpad or trackball.

If you are sitting in a side chair or couch, use a pillow to support your arms while keying.

Avoid resting your wrists while typing. Keep your wrists as flat as possible. Use whole hand and arm movements to navigate the Laptop Ergonomics keyboard. 

Avoid bending your neck and head forward to see the screen. This is the way to arrange your seating posture to avoid Ergonomic Laptop disorders.

        Clean the screen regularly using appropriate anti static cleaning fluid.

Your hands and wrists should be kept in a straight wrist posture when typing and should not be resting on a palm rest, table or lap while typing. This can cause you Ergonomics Laptop disorders.

Place the Laptop on a stand, book or other surface that raises it to a height that you can see the screen without having to bend or rotate your neck.

These are only basic idea on how you can protect yourself from ergonomic injury. Allow our company to help up you and your family.

www.ergonomicworks.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Thank you

Azi

Document Holder/ Neck and Shoulder Pain

Document holders keep printed materials needed during computer tasks close to the user and the monitor. Proper positioning of document holders depends on the task performed and the type of document being used. Appropriate placement of the holder may reduce or eliminate risk factors such as awkward head and neck postures, fatigue, headaches, and eye strain.

Potential Hazard 

• Documents positioned too far from the monitor may require awkward head postures or frequent movements of the head and neck to look from the monitor to a document. Those awkward postures can lead to muscle fatigue and discomfort of the head, neck, and shoulders.

• Document holders should

• Allow you to place documents at or about the same height and distance as the monitor screen

• Be stable when loaded with heavier documents such as a textbook.

• A document holder can be positioned directly beneath the monitor. This provides a sturdy writing surface, if written entries are necessary, and reduces frequent movement of the head, neck, or back.

• Task lighting on the document should not cause glare on the monitor.

 If you require further information, visit our website and contact us www.ergonomicworks@yahoo.com

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

What are the features of a good ergonomic chair?

Why is finding the right chair so important?

Today, in industrialized countries, many people sit for most of the time that they are awake. They sit while having breakfast, while going to work in cars or buses, in school classrooms, in meetings, in offices, during dinner, and at home while watching television. Many people also sit at work operating machines which new technology has developed to replace manual work. Although sitting requires less physical effort than standing or walking it puts a lot of stress on lumbar area. Combined effects of a sedentary lifestyle and a job that requires sitting can lead to many health problems.

What do you need to know about selecting a good ergonomic chair?

The selection of a suitable chair is a critical step in preventing health problems in people who work in a sitting position. With the ergonomics approach, sitting is viewed as a specific, specialized activity which is influenced by the way that a sitting person interacts with the working environment.

Several basic concepts should be considered:

·         One chair does not fit everyone. The users' body dimensions must be used when selecting a chair so that it does not strain one part of the body while fitting another.

·         Collect data about the user's body height. The optimal seat height is about one quarter of the body height. This is only a rule of thumb since the torso-to-leg ratio can vary widely..

·         No one chair is suitable for every activity. For example, dentists require a different chair than do industrial workers or computer operators

·         Consider maintenance and repair costs. Check with the manufacturer for items to inspect for and how often inspection should be done.

What are the features of a good chair?

Some features are mandatory for a good chair regardless of how you intend to use it:

·         Adjustability - Check to see that seat height is adjustable.

·         Seat height range - Check whether the seat height can be adjusted to the height recommended for the worker(s) who will use it. Other chairs may have to be selected for very short or tall workers.

·         Backrest - Check to see that the backrest is adjustable both vertically and in the frontward and backward direction.

·         Seat depth - Select the seats that suit the tallest and the shortest users

·         Stability - Check for the stability of the chair; a five-point base is recommended.

Other features to consider

·         See if the selected chair has features that will help someone do their job better. Arm rests with adjustable heights are good for computer operators. Wider or narrower arm rests may also be required depending on the worker's dimensions and tasks they do.

·         See if the selected chair has features that will make doing a job more difficult. An example may be that someone may be using a chair with casters or wheels when a stable and stationary work position would be better. If chairs with casters are needed, choose ones that match the type of flooring you have (carpeting or hard floors).

Who should pick out the chair = Ergonomic Consultant

Can a chair solve all of the ergonomic problems of working in a sitting position?

Also, remember that the chair is only one of the components to be considered in workstation design. All the elements such as the chair, footrest (if needed), work surface, document holders, task lighting and so on need to have flexibility and adjust-ability to be "designed in".

www.ergonomicworks.com 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

The health hazards in your office

The health hazards in your office

Like many other innovations, computers generated a great deal of resistance at first. People raised concerns about the effects of radiation on everything from their eyes, to their neck, shoulders, arms and back, even to their reproductive fertility and pregnancy outcome. Headaches, eyestrain, muscular tension, and suspicious clusters of miscarriages were widely reported. However, studies which have addressed these concerns have failed to prove that any measurable radiation, no matter how minimal, has been responsible for any of the adverse effects reported.

Nevertheless, one cannot discount the increasing numbers of dissatisfied and/or injured office workers: their discomfort and health problems are very real. There is very little doubt that working with computers (with emphasis on the actual work and not the computers themselves) causes or heavily contributes to these problems.

Why ergonomics for the computer users became so important?

The number of people working with computers is ever growing: some estimate that soon they will account for more than half of the working population, creating the biggest challenge for occupational health and safety. What is even more alarming is the high number of complaints about discomforts and injuries.

And, against all expectations, the wider application of ergonomic principles is not dramatically alleviating the problems. This creates a new challenge to convince computer operators and, as a matter of fact, all working people that their own health and well-being depends as much, if not more, upon their own actions rather than upon the institutionalized health care system. Prevention through participation may be the right approach. In other words, "the involvement of people in planning and controlling a significant amount of their own work activities, with sufficient knowledge and power to influence both processes and outcomes in order to achieve desirable goals".

Let Ergonomicworks ( www.ergonomicworks.com ) educate you and help you about the hazards of working in computerized offices as well as how to prevent the resulting discomfort and injury.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

Do you feel Tingling or Numbness in your hand?

You're working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you've had for months in your hand and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through the wrist and up your arm. Just a passing cramp? More likely you have carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand - houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Educational Ergonomic Video

Watch this video to know what is Ergonomic. Find some effective solution for office work hazards. Learn how to custom the working place ergonomically that helps your body to relax and produce more.


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&feature=youtu.be 

Does Your Workstation Fit You?

You may not know it, but working at your computer can take a toll on your body. It can cause sore muscles, headaches, eyestrain, tension, and fatigue. But ergonomics, the science of arranging your workstation to fit you and your body, can help. Read on to find out how ergonomicworks can help solve problems you may be having.

If your eyes are really tired at the end of the day, adjusting your monitor or lighting may bring relief.

If your neck and shoulders are often stiff and sore, your chair height, monitor, or keyboard may need adjusting.

If you ever feel pain or discomfort in your back while working at your computer, adjusting your backrest or sitting posture may take strain off your back.

If you feel tingling, numbness, or pain in your forearms, wrists, or hands, your chair height or keyboard may need adjusting.

If your body feels tired, achy, or stiff at the end of the day, you may need to take more frequent stretch breaks.

If your legs are often stiff and cramped, or you have swelling and numbness in your ankles and feet, your chair might not be at the best height for you.

www.ergonomicworks.com 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

Ergonomic Injury

Work-Associated:

The main Carpal Tunnal Syndrome causes are the repetitive motion at workplace, which is increasing a lot. These cases contribute to half of the work associated illness and the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

They account for nearly half of all reported work-related illness, and Carpal Tunnal Syndrome is estimated to account for over 41% of the disorders caused due to repetitive motion. The key risk factors in the workplace that causes the
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Repetition
• High force
• Awkward joint posture
• Direct pressure
• Vibration, and
• Prolonged constrained posture.

The main cause of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the incorrect posture, especially in computer users and people working on other type of keyboard.
The rolling of the shoulders forward, rounding the lower back and thrusting the chin forward, shortens the neck and the muscles of the shoulder, there by compressing the nerves in the neck which ultimately have an effect on the wrist, fingers and the hand. But it is difficult to know the relation between the repetitive wrist, wrist and the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

www.ergonomicworks.com

Ergonomic and Force !

Usually, when we talk about force, it is thought of as a strenuous physical exertion, such as when lifting a heavy weight or pushing a heavy load. In computer parlance, force is totally different from the usual definition. Computer work seldom requires this type of laborious exertion, but there are tasks that require concentrated force that can affect smaller, localized muscle groups.

For instance.

1) Pretend you are using a pointing device that is too sensitive that you find it so difficult to control leading to a Ergonomic causes. There are all chances that your finger and forearm muscles become sore because the muscles of hand and arm must work hard continually to keep the device steady.

2) Pretend your mouse is placed very far from you that you have difficulty reaching for it every time. This time what really happens is that your shoulder and neck muscles become strained as they are continually being used to lift the arm away from your body.

3) Pretend your monitor is kept very high from the recommended height. You tend to tilt your head back to get a clear view of the monitor. This time the muscles of your back can become strained due to continued use.

Normally, when injuries happen, the first point of pain is the muscle. But, the tendon, which attaches the muscle to bone, can also be affected. Localized pain, stiffness, and tenderness are some of the symptoms showing that the muscle or tendon has been exerted beyond its capacity.

If you arrange the computer and associated components in your workstation properly and appropriately, so as to maintain neutral postures, you can avoid such problems to a large extend. Select adjustable furniture so that you can minimize the amount of time spent in one posture.

Check out our new website and recommend it your friends,we can help.

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Undergo Ergonomic Evaluation for Environmental Health and Safety at Workplace

Creating health workplace should be the primary responsibility of an employer. However, many employers have the habit of ignoring this fact. As a result, employees do fall ill frequently. On the other hand, the company suffers from low productivity. In order to bring a change to such adverse situation, the employer needs to investigate the workplace. Being the employer you can look forward to ergonomic evaluation as the ultimate solution to such situation. This evaluation can help in creating environmentalhealth and safety at the workplace. Do you know how this evaluation takes place?

How ergonomic evaluation takes place?

When you get in touch with ergonomic service provider, they will first ask you about the problems that your employees are suffering from. They will then send their experienced consultant to visit the place. The consultant will investigate the workplace.  He will help you to identify the factors responsible for creating low productivity of your employees. Once the factors are identified, he will suggest probable changes that need to be made at the workplace. According to his ergonomic workstation evaluation, he will suggest you to add few ergonomic appliances to make the workplace comfortable for your employees. Introducing these changes can save your company from facing loss.

What will the service providers will do?

The chosen service provider will provide you the equipments that you require for your workplace. They will also install the equipments at the right position. On the other hand, the consultant will teach you as well as your employees to use these equipments efficiently. He will also teach you few exercises to relax your muscle during work hours. the service providers will provide you training sessions in this regard. Hence, you as well as your employees from now on can have a health workplace.

Thus it can be concluded that following these guidelines should be made mandatory for every workplace in order to increase the efficiency of the employees.