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Ergonomics Principles and

Guidelines

For Area OHS Supervisors

3ased on UNSW Ergonomics Principles and Guidelines

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 WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
ERGONOMICS is the scientific study of
human performance at work

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Application of ergonomics principles to work
practices allows prevention and control
musculoskeletal injuries arising from repetitive
or forceful movement or/and maintaining
awkward or constrained postures
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Examples of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Injuries: sprains, strains, tears, degeneration

Symptoms: discomfort, pain, muscle fatigue,

swelling, stiffness, inflammation, numbness,
tingling, burning sensation, heaviness,
weakness or clumsiness in hands

Disorders: Repetitive strain injury, Occupational

overuse syndrome, Tendonitis, Carpal tunnel
syndrome, Degenerative disc disease, etc

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Area OHS Supervisorƞs Responsibilities
 Implementing and maintaining ergonomic principles
 Ensuring that people in your area are properly
trained in ergonomic principles
 Ensuring that people in your area follow safe
ergonomic practices
 Actively practicing and developing positive attitudes
towards ergonomic issues
 Ensuring that people in your area use the
ergonomic equipment provided
 Considering workplace layout, ergonomics and
individual needs when allocating tasks to people in
your area

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 Responsibilities of Individuals
 Complying with ergonomic safety instructions of
their Area OHS Supervisors
 Not putting themselves or other at risk by their
actions or omissions
 Making proper use of ergonomic equipment
provided
 Using training received in applying ergonomic
principles to their tasks
 Reporting potential ergonomic hazards and
problem to their Area OHS Supervisors

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 Work with Computers: What to
Consider
 ‰ob design
 Work practices: work breaks, keyboarding
duration, task rotation
 Workstation: posture, chairs, desks,
computer monitors, computer mouse,
ergonomic accessories

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 Work with Computers: ‰ob design
and Task rotation
If possible, the job should be designed to
allow rotation of work and inclusion of
task not involving repetitive and dynamic
muscle movement.

Work with Computers: Keyboarding

ƠA safe working levelơ of 4 hours of
intensive keyboard work per day (not
including breaks) should not be exceeded
 
Work with Computers: Work breaks
Where the job does not provide adequate
breaks through task variety, it is
recommended that short frequent breaks
should be taken during periods of
intensive computer use, i.e. 2-
2-3 minutes
every 20-
20-30 minutes. These breaks should
include whole body movement. For
example, fatigue in the back is relived by
standing up and walking around

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 Work with Computers: Posture
 The feet are supported on the floor, or a footrest (if knees
are at greater that 900 )
 No pressure caused by the front edge of the chair seat
under the thighs
 The upper body is upright with the lower back firmly
supported by the backrest
 The shoulders are relaxed and not hunched
 The elbows and upper arm are close to the body
 The head is upright or slightly inclined forward with
minimum of strain on the neck
 Forearms are horizontal and the wrists are straight when
the fingers are on the keyboard

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 Work with Computers: Chairs
 Stable (a 5 star base)
 Adjustable height range suited to the desk
 A stable, independently adjustable backrest
 Freely moving castors when used on carpet or
glides for use on a hard floor surface
 Armrests are not recommended as they are
likely to interfere with the ability to move the
chair close enough to the desk

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 Work with Computers: Desks
 Height adjustable desks are the preferred option. The
height to the top if the work surface should be between
580mm and 730 mm above floor level
 For a fixed height desk: between 680mm and 720mm
 The minimum work surface area: 1500mm x 900mm and
the maximum bench thickness ƛ 25mm
 The volume of leg space: minimum of 800 wide x
550mm deep x 580mm high
 The viewing distance to work: between 350 mm and 780
mm
 No sharp edges, protrusions or rough surfaces
 It is recommended that work surface be continuous due
to increase mouse usage, keyboard and mouse are on
the same level
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Work with Computers: Monitors

It is recommended that the screen is located

 at approx armƞs length away from the
user
 Directly in front of the user

 Eye level and the bottom can be read

without a marked inclination of the head
 No glare and reflections

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 Work with Computers: Mouse
To minimise fatigue when using the mouse:

 Place the mouse on the a mouse pad to restrict

the area of movement for the hand and arm
 Ensure the mouse is used with a straight wrist
 The mouse pad should be placed as close as
possible to the keyboard to avoid over-
over-reaching
with impact on shoulder/neck muscles

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 Work with Computers: Ergonomic
Accessories
Consider the following when trying to
address the ergonomic issues
 A footrest

 Document holder

 Monitor stands and Monitor arms

 Screen filter

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 Àook out For Other Repetitive
Actions or Sustained Postures
Examples:

 Àaboratory tasks, e.g. pipetting

 Workshop task, e.g. repetitive hammering,
repetitive lifting
 Electronic workshop, e.g. soldering

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 Environment: Àighting
Suitable light levels based on Australian Standard AS 1680 ƛ
1990 Interior Àighting:
Àighting:

General background 200 Àux

Routine office work (typing, filing) 400 Àux
Work with poor contrast (proof reading) 600Àux

Overhead lighting should be fitted with glare reducing diffusers

and light should fall from the side rather than from the front to
avoid reflection

Windows should be on the side of the user if possible, not

directly behind or in front of the screen
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 Work with Computers: Ventilation

Air movement of less than 0.1 meter per second

can lead to stuffy rooms whereas air movement
of more than 0.2 meters per second causes
droughts to be felt.

Australian Standard AS 1668.2 ƛ 1991 Mechanical

ventilation for acceptable indoor-
indoor-air quality sets
the minimum rate of 10 liters per second per
person for general office space or 10 liters per
second for every 10 square meters of floor
space

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 Work with Computers: Indoor
Climate
 A comfortable temperature range for sedentary
work is between 210 and 240 C
 The optimum range of relative humidity is 40-
40-
50%. Relative humidity below 20% can cause
dryness of the eyes, nose, throat and build up of
static charges. Humidity above 80% can cause
fatigues
 Draughts around the neck and the feet can
cause muscle contraction
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