OFFICE INJURIES: TIPS FOR REDUCING INCIDENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

OFFICE INJURIES: TIPS FOR REDUCING INCIDENCE IN THE WORKPLACE.

According to American National standards institute (ANSI) and the state of Wisconsin department of labor and industries published guide entitle “ office Ergonomic Assessment and Implementation Guide” The following tips will help reduce the incidence of CTD in the workplace.

Good posture:

Be sure to sit all the way back in your chair. Your knees should be lower than or at the same level as your hips. Keep your feet supported.

Keyboard:

The type of keyboard and the positioning of the keyboard are important factors to consider. The height of the keyboard in relation to your body should also allow your arms to be at an open angle. It is advisable to tilt the keyboard away from your body to keep your wrists in the proper position.

Monitor:

Center your monitor in front of you so you won’t have to wrist and cause strain to your neck and shoulders to view the monitor. Your monitor should be arms length away about 20-30 inches. Tilting the screens upward is good office ergonomics for your monitor. Avoid windows that produce glare on your screen. Set the monitor at a 90-degree angle from the window for the best reduction and less strain on the eyes from contrasting light.

Mouse:

Mouse usage is importance for proper ergonomics. Place mouse to your keyboard for easy reach. Try to use a trackball instead of a mouse. A trackball will decrease the amount of shoulder movement.







Chair:

Adjust your chair height to make sure your feet rest comfortably on the ground. Sit back in your chair to provide lower support and less fatigue. Reclining slightly will relieve pressure on the lower back. Make sure the arms rest allows your arms to bend at a 90-degree angle.

Lighting:

Use indirect light to provide the best lighting. Control light from windows with blinds to reduce eye strain from glare. Fluorescent lighting is better than other conventional types of lights. And ensure that all bulbs inside your office should be the same wattage.

Ambience:

Sound levels should not be higher than 55 decibels( Dba).

Temperature and Humidity:

Temperature and humidity should be within comfortable ranges relative humidity level between 40 and 60 % is generally desirable for most workers in office environments.