Habits of employees relating to ergonomic issues
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Introduction
Ergonomics is a term emerging from two Greek words, (ergo) meaning work and (normos) meaning laws. In general terms it refers to the art of studying work. It is a system oriented discipline extending across all aspects of human activity (Helander, 2006). In practice, it is a science and art of fitting jobs or tasks to the employee instead of working personally or the employee fitting works to the employer (Duffy, 2011). Several different disciplines are involved in that effort and all of them consider the employee as key factor in the work stations, design of work machinery and equipment (Trzcieliński, 2013). Ergonomists, majorly apply theories, data, principles and methods to design in order to optimize employee’s well-being and the general performance of the job system.
The general meaning of ergonomics refers to it as the study of how a workplace, machinery and equipment used there and the work environment can be modified for the best interest of both employees and employers, in that to improve efficiency of work, increase comfort, safety and security of employees and productivity of the job with just application of simple changes (Duffy, 2011).
Background
Work machinery and equipment are normally designed and modified to maximize output with minimal thought to employee comfort, and this as of late caused them unnecessary injuries and sicknesses (Trzcieliński, 2013).The poor design of machinery and equipment and the jobs themselves have caused worker discomfort and at some instances led to disabilities (Duffy, 2011). Ergonomics thus comes in to solve and help reduce such job related illnesses, injuries and stresses. It also goes ahead to increase work satisfaction which leads to improved job productivity.
It is due to these unnecessary ailments that ergonomics as an art has developed increasing attention (Trzcieliński, 2013). Several persons are now aware of the carpel tunnel disorder ergonomics and other collective trauma disorders due to the numerous news stories and reports roaming the internet and other informative sites (Helander, 2006). For instance, carpel tunnel disorder is the utmost often documented job related musculoskeletal disorder.
Though the level of higher extremity disorders has reduced, it is still considered as a bigger problem (Duffy, 2011). Within the health care fields, the level is rising, mainly due to the lifting tasks. Dreary computer keyboard application continues to cause injury and pain to persons (Trzcieliński, 2013). Some of the main categories of DEECD workplaces and employees that are of great concern include:
Computer systems.
Workstations, for instance sitting and standing.
Workstation noise.
Workstation lighting.
Thermal comfort at the workstation.
Machinery and equipment layout and operation.
Improvement and maintenance tasks done on plant items.
Ergonomics addresses the collective trauma disorders also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders caused mainly by repeated, frequent forceful movements (Helander, 2006). The back and upper limbs are usually the most affected body regions, though the lower limbs can too be affected. Factors contributing to the collective trauma disorders include:
High frequency of movement.
Repetitiveness.
Vibration
Cold temperatures
Sitting posture for instance wrist posture and back lying.
Mechanical stress, this causes direct pressure to the worker.
Method
The methods of application while collecting information with respect to workers undergoing ergonomic issues was a combination of conducting eye to eye interviews and personal observations at the particular workstation (Helander, 2006). I was able to talk to about a third of the workers in the workstation and almost all of them meant the same point; that they were experiencing unnecessary work issues mostly caused by poor workstation design, repeated movements and computer related problems. The choice of this method of data collection was resulted at since the process only required simple surveys from a given percentage of workers and using the results to form a conclusion. I carried all my interviews on a random basis in that I was not choosy on the kind of people I interviewed or the type of observations to make on given workers.
Carrying out interviews on the workers was met with certain challenges. Some of which included; I was time limited since the workers were regularly responding to their work duties and that they could not respond fully to my questions. Another challenge was that some of the workers were not patient enough to listen to all I had to tell or ask them and some gave me deaf ears.
Hypothesis
If ergonomic issues are taken seriously by the employers, then no employee will ever suffer of the unnecessary disorders. Employees agonize from ergonomic issues because of the ignorance and uncaring nature of the employers or their managers. This is since the managers only care about the final produce of the business and not the nature of the workers producing the required work inputs. So when they finally start caring for their workers, everything is going to change for the best and no worker is going to be sick. The best way to carry on the hypothesis is through formation of employee awareness sessions where they are educated on their employee requirements and the must haves in their work stations. Several persons are now aware of the carpel tunnel disorder ergonomics and other collective trauma disorders due to the numerous news stories and reports roaming the internet and other informative sites (Helander, 2006). So if the managers took the initiative to at least consider the health and state of their workers as they go about their job duties then life would be without disorders.
Results
With respect to the above method of data collection some of the findings I was able to get were mainly related to poor office design, work pressure, repeated movements from place to place, constant lifting of work equipment, bad sitting posture, poor lighting systems in the work stations and loud noise caused by the working machinery (Helander, 2006).
Below is a data table and pie chart in form of a bar diagram indicating the number of workers I was able to speak to and number of interviews I managed to conduct?
NUMBER OF WORKERS OBSERVATION RESULTS INTERVIEW RESULTS
5 Appeared uncomfortable performing their job duties and at some points were caught dosing off. This was mainly caused by the work pressure and poor office design.
7 Moved regularly from place to place and at some point could not even identify what they were going for at those specific places. Work pressure and repeated movements in search of work machinery and equipment.
3 Had back problems and fore limbs unable to work properly. Bad sitting posture caused mainly by the slant office chairs.
Constant lifting of equipment and working with the machinery.
2 Poor vision and hearing sense. Mentioned the poor lighting systems in their respective work stations and the loud noise caused by the working machineries.
Bar diagram giving the collected results with respect to just a section of the causes of ergonomic issues. These include; work pressure, poor office design, and repeated movements (Trzcieliński, 2013). The causes are categorized into four mainly depending on the number of persons interviewed and number of observations made.
(Fig. 2) Bar diagram showing the distribution of data with respect to causes of ergonomic issues as per the collected data.
How to deal with these ergonomic issues
Ergonomic issues are widely associated with the physical design of workstations, workspaces, tools, computer programs, plants and working environment. It can also encompass cognitive processes involving workloads, skilled performance, decision making and work stress (Karwowski & Salvendy, 2011). There are adequate measures for dealing with all of these problems to ensure that any hitches are well solved. Below are some of the measures to take into consideration: all of these answer the question; what do I need to do?
Consult with the employees and the Health and Safety Representatives to identify any hitching ergonomic issues. Make a point of reading the Ergonomic Risk Assessment forms.
Wherever possible, ensure that suitable risk controls are executed for any observed or reported ergonomic threat.
Ensure you review the OHS expectations relating to lighting, noise and thermal comfort as mentioned in the Hygiene Management Procedure (Trzcieliński, 2013).
Regularly review injury and illness reports paying keen attention to those reports of pain in the shoulders, back or upper limbs and maybe the lower limbs and take necessary measures as stipulated by the works sheet term and regulations (Karwowski & Salvendy, 2011).
Ensure all employees have their respective workstations fitted correctly according to the expected workstation standards.
In case the workers report issues relating to the workstation application, they should;
Take on self-assessment with their employer or manager.
If the ergonomic issues persist, they should seek advice from their HSR and their immediate manager or employer.
If the issues still persists, they should contact the OHS advisory customer service through their customer support contacts.
Below are some of the solutions to common ergonomic issues;
Office design
You are supposed to analyze your work to find out whether risk factors are present and apply ergonomics to uplift your work design. For instance:
Chair: The chair you are sitting on should be adjustable for back tilt and height. While you are sited, you should be capable of placing your feet comfortably and upright with a great back support, you should also be capable of adjusting your body to enhance your posture and be comfortable for long working durations.
Work surface: Adjusting your chair mostly depends on the working surface. Your working desk should contain adequate space to hold all the important things for you on a daily basis. It should be of an elevation that enables you to put your hands on it for support. It should have rounded ends or prevent automated stresses on your wrist Karwowski & Salvendy, 2011). In case you are using a laptop and a control panel, your hands should be at a seventy five to ninety degrees slanting posture to your superior arms Trzcieliński, 2013).Generally, the kind of job you are doing will distress the depth of the working space.
Foot rests: You might require using a foot rest in case you are unable to get the best adjustments between your siting chairs and working surface (Salvendy, 1997). The foot rest should be capable of angling up to fifteen degrees towards your toe.
Arm rest: Almost all chairs possess arm rests that back the forelimbs. This might minimize fatigue and muscle strains, but only if they are plane and dabbled. When they are hard, they add more stress to the elbows.
Computer monitor: The video button should be positioned in a place where you can swiftly access and view all the features without leaning your body and head off the screen or nearer to it (Karwowski & Salvendy, 2011). In general it should be about 22 inches away from your eyes and the middle of the screen interface should be at about the exact length as your cheek. Position the screen away from lighting sources to minimize scowl on the monitor. In adequate lighting and glare can cause strain.
Conclusion
In conclusion therefore ergonomics enhances a holistic approach in which concerns of rational, physical, organizational, environmental, social and other necessary factors are taken into consideration (Salvendy, 1997). This as stipulated is enabled by the several economic sectors or work domains. Work domains are never mutually exclusive and evolve constantly; new ones are formed and old ones adapt newer perspectives (Karwowski & Salvendy, 2011). If we considered all the above mentioned issues of ergonomics we come to a conclusion that all of them have preventive measures and that the responsibility of preventing them lies in our hands, both employees and employers.
Recommendations
From the above information we realize that ergonomic issues are majorly caused by poor office design, repeated movements, bad sitting postures, office lighting, loud noise and work pressure (Karwowski & Salvendy, 2011). I would thus recommend that every working station should be well inspected to ensure all favorable working conditions are in store and that every reported incident of ergonomic disorder is treated with utmost considerations.
References
Trzcieliński, S. (2013). Advances in ergonomics in manufacturing. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.Duffy, V. G. (2011). Advances in human factors and ergonomics in healthcare. Boca Raton: CRC Press.Karwowski, W., & Salvendy, G. (2011). Advances in human factors, ergonomics, and safety in manufacturing and service industries. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.Helander, M. (2006). A guide to human factors and ergonomics (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Taylor & Francis.Salvendy, G. (1997). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
