Ergonomics in the Office and Workplace - Term Paper Example

Running Head: ERGONOMICS IN THE OFFICE AND WORKPLACE Topic: Ergonomics in the Office and Workplace Lecturer: Presentation: Introduction Ergonomics is not a new term in organizations, and is well understood in the field of human resources management. Many employees understand the term, or apply ergonomic principles on a day to day basis even when they are not really conscious about ergonomics. It is a broad term that is inclusive of workplaces as well as the practices of workers and the manner in which they undertake their routine tasks. This paper is a critique of ergonomics in the office and workplace. The paper begins with the definition of the term ergonomics and a short history of the concept. It also highlights OSHA’s prolonged comprehensive approach to ergonomics as well as several principles associated with ergonomics. Definition and History of Ergonomics Ergonomics involves ensuring that the workplace and the equipment used by the workers are safe and that injuries are avoided while undertaking the organizational tasks. When workers are supplied with the equipment that matches ergonomic principles, they are said to be using the ergonomically right equipment. Chairs, tables, hand held tools, lighting, work stations and spaces among other factors that affect the safety of workers in the workplace need to be ergonomically correct. Employers are obligated to ensure that the workers undertake their day to day tasks in safe conditions. The history of ergonomics dates back in the invention of tools. However, with the advancements of the industrial revolution, ergonomic principles began being applied more often especially due to the workplace accidents for the employees who worked in the factories (Roughton, 1997). Jastrzebowski coined the term ergonomics in 1857. Fredrick Tylor later improved work efficiency and minimization of expenses in the turn of the 20th century which resulted in the Tylor system that involved intensive work in the factories. Injuries were resulting from the rushed industrial operations thereby slowing progress (Stanton et al. 2004). Frank Gilbreth helped to solve the non incident injuries that resulted from fatigue and exhaustion through conducting the motion analysis that made processes better and more efficient in the workplace in the early 20th century. The Second World War facilitated the development of ergonomics through the reconsideration of the fighter planes whose cockpits had to be adjusted to improve efficiency and worker safety. As industries continued with mass production and expansion, cognitive and industrial ergonomics developed and are still in use in the contemporary workplaces (Mester, 1999).   OSHA’s Four Pronged Comprehensive Approach to Ergonomics Guidelines Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is a US agency in the labor department has developed guidelines that have been in use since 1990 for protecting workers from workplace incidences that might affect their health. However, these guidelines were developed focused on particular industries such as; meet packing factories and transport industries among others that had been found to have high incident rates in their workplaces. Other industries that were not included in the first guidelines were encouraged to develop guidelines that would match their particular workplace needs. Moreover, the industries are required by OSHA to develop strategies to solve ergonomic issues in the workplace (McGarity, & Shapiro, 1993). Enforcement Enforcement of the approach to ergonomics began by sensitizing employers on their obligation of understanding their responsibilities of reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and injuries in the workplace. The OSH Act General Duty Clause highlights various hazards that employers should set goals of avoiding. The employers whose workplaces conform to the ergonomic practices are not targeted for enforcement. Inspections will be done under the clause and follow-up alerts for the employers regarding ergonomic issues. Outreach and Assistance Sensitization of businesses regarding ergonomic issues is one of the assistance that OSHA has planned to provide. It will be accomplished through training regarding the agency’s guidelines. The trainings will be made accessible through the internet, which will be among a set of conformity assurance tools. Employers will be made to understand the significance of the guidelines through partners that will assist OSHA in the implementation. There are plans by OSHA to award the compliant employers through recognition programs. Research Ergonomics is a topic that has been researched for many years. Plans are underway to establish the areas that still need further research in ergonomics. The responsibility for identifying the areas that need further research has been given to the National Academy of Science, who on discovering the areas that need further research will be expected to develop plans to carry out the research, which will be used to make improvements on the existing guidelines (McGarity, & Shapiro, 1993). III. Back Injuries at Work  A. Minimizing Back Injuries  1. Work Ergonomics Employers are obligated by the law to ensure that work ergonomics are adhered to. The health and well being of the employees is supposed to be maintained. The employers need to conduct regular assessments in the workplace to ascertain that potential risks are avoided in the workplace. The equipment and materials used by the employees in the workplace should not cause back injuries (Pheasant & Haslegrave, 2005). 2. Office Furniture The desk that is provided for the employees needs to be adjustable to suit the height of the employee. The chair needs to support upright sitting posture while allowing the feet to be on the floor to ensure that the back has sufficient support. It should also have an armrest that is stable. The employees need to adjust the chairs and the tables to ensure that they are comfortable. 3. Driving The driver’s seat needs to be upright and supportive to the back. It needs to be set in a position whereby the driver does not have to strain to view ahead. It should also be firm to avoid folding the back forward.   4. Material Handling In case the workers have to use computers, the monitor needs to be positioned at a level that is close and directly ahead of the user to avoid straining the back and the neck. The keyboard holder should be placed in a position that allows an upright position while typing. The same case applies to the mouse. Wrist rests also need to be available if the mouse is used often. IV. Back Exercises  A. Back Muscles and Abs; Roles and Responsibilities Exercises need to be carried out regularly to ensure that the back muscles are kept strong. As Mester (1999) observes, weak muscles lead to back pain and may expose the spine to problems. Strong back muscles protect the spine against gravitational force that may cause pain. Abdominal muscles (Abs) have the same role as the back muscles. They are significant in the avoidance of the lower back pain. Other muscles that help in protecting the back are the quadriceps which strengthen the legs, and provide useful support when lifting heavy objects. B. Goals of Exercise The goals of exercise are diverse. Some people engage in exercise to reduce weight, others do it to release stress. Exercise can also be done with the goal of spending leisure time, while for other people it generates fun. For sports people such as athletes and footballers, exercise helps them to increase their proficiency in the particular sport. C. Benefits of Exercise Exercise help in relieving pain through the increased endorphins production. These generate a feeling of excitement by covering the pain. The functioning of the endocrine system is enhanced through exercise. Toxins are eliminated faster from the muscles while exercising while the body cells increase their oxygen uptake. Body circulation is improved and while the body eliminates excess fats, it gains muscles and muscle strength. The bones are also strengthened. V. Ergonomics: Symptoms and Treatments of Wrist Injuries and Disorders  A. Sprains and Strains Ligaments that unite bones in the joins may tear or stretch due to a strenuous activity resulting in a sprain. The sprains mainly occur on the wrist as well as on the ankles. The areas swell and the individual feels pain while trying to move the joint. A strain on the other hand may result when a person encounters a tear in the muscle or a stretch in the tissues that connect bones with the muscles. A strain can be acute or chronic and they are typical to sports people. Pain, seizure of muscle, swelling and difficulty in moving muscles are among the major symptoms of strains. The injured person needs to rest for some time. Icing can also be done on the specific part for both sprain sand strains and also a bandage can be tied around the injured part. Exercise after the pain has subsided as well as physical therapy can be applied (Pheasant & Haslegrave, 2005). B. Tendinitis The tissues that attach the muscles to bones may be inflamed thereby causing pain around the joint. It is mainly caused by injury, and can be avoided by reducing the vigorousness in exercises. Treatment is mainly allowing the injured person to rest, icing the injured joint and applying medications to reduce swelling. C. Arthritis The symptoms of arthritis include difficulties in movement, pain and swollen joints. The problem may result from aging (osteoarthritis) or through a decline in the immune system of an individual. Regular exercise through running and walking are significant for treatment of the problem. Drugs are used to reduce the potential for spread and further inflammation of the joints. VI. Stretching for Pain Relief  A. Neck and Shoulder Stretches Shoulder stretch is accomplished simply through shoulder shrug whereby the shoulders are pressed upwards towards the ears while inhaling fresh air severally. Neck stretch involves moving the neck forward, backwards and sideways severally to allow it to relax. B. Back Stretches Back stretch can be accomplished through various means such as through the dropping the knees in an alternating motion towards the chest while lying comfortably flat on the ground. Bending to touch the toes, backwards to the greatest extent and sideways can also allow successful stretching of the back. C. Hips and Gluteus Stretches These stretches can be accomplished through hip flexion whereby a person lifts the legs repeatedly one by one while sitting upright on a chair. Rotating the hip joint while sitting, and hip extension by lifting the leg by the ankle while sitting, allows hip stretch. These exercises should be done repeatedly. D. Hamstring Stretches Hamstring is the area around the back of the upper part of the leg. It can be stretched by standing upright and maintain one leg on an upper position resting on an object while bending forwards to the other leg that remains straight. This needs to be done severally and while bending, the person needs to exhale and hold for up to half a minute. VII. Business Traveling Ergonomic Tips  A. Planning Planning is significant while preparing for a business trip to ensure that all the items required are packed and that the likelihood of lacking some items, eventually leading to stress. Planning allows the employees to have enough time for other activities such as having fun. B. Luggage The luggage should be small and simple to carry along. Clothes and vital documents that have to be used in the trip have to be packed. C. Packing The items should be tightly but lightly packed to ensure that the luggage does not inconvenience the person travelling. D. Shoes and Clothing It is important to have a light pair of shoes especially if the business trip involves a lot of walking. 10. Casual Clothes Casual clothes need to be packed to be worn after the business is over. They are important in lowering the stress that may have accumulated from a long time of engagement in business. VIII. Tips for Ergonomics in the Workplace  A. Work Spaces The workspace needs to be free from congestion, and the equipment need to be arranged in a way such that they do not interfere with movements of the worker.   B. Chairs Chairs need to be adjustable and able to support the sitting posture that does not cause back pain. C. Work Stations The work station needs to be developed in a manner such that it does not present discomfort to the worker. The computer accessories should be easily accessible, while the body posture should be upright without straining to undertake some tasks. The arms, legs and the eyes need to be easy to move. All the applications should be adjustable to ensure that the employees are able to work in their comfort zone (Salvendy, 1997). D. Lighting Lighting is also a major ergonomic issue. Employees should not be exposed to direct light that can affect their eyes. It should not be glaring to avoid causing eye problems. On the other hand, it should be sufficient to ensure that the worker does not have to strain to view clearly in the workplace. E. Changing Positions Change of position allows an employee to relax from the monotonous tasks that lead to exhaustion. Remaining in one position for a long period may lead to stress. Conclusion Ergonomics is a significant aspect of human resource management and maintenance of employee satisfaction in the workplace. When the employee works under stress, performance is reduced and the organizational goals can not be accomplished. The best way to ensure that workplace injuries are avoided is to ensure that workplace ergonomics principles are maintained. OSHA’s guidelines are significant for the maintenance of workplace ergonomics principles. References McGarity, T. O. & Shapiro, S. A. (1993). Workers at Risk: The Failed Promise of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Praeger Publishers Mester, D. (1999). The History of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Pheasant, S. & Haslegrave, C. M. (2005). Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, CRC Press Roughton J. E. (1997). “Book Review Ergonomic Problems in the Workplace: A Guide to Effective Management”. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, Vol. 7(4) pp 251-252 Salvendy, G. (1997). Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, John Wiley & Sons Stanton, N. A., Hedge, A., Brookhuis, K. Salas, E. & Hendrick, H.W. (2004). Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics Methods, CRC Press Read More