This document provides an overview of office ergonomics presented by Associate Professor Abdul Shukor. It begins by outlining the objectives of discussing national regulations on occupational safety and health hazards, office ergonomics, and practical countermeasures. It then discusses physical and environmental factors that can cause health issues and stress at the office, including sedentary lifestyles. Specific issues addressed include awkward postures, slippery floors, lighting, and improper chairs. The document emphasizes the risks of prolonged sitting and identifies back pain as a major risk. It provides tips for correct posture and suggests countermeasures like forming safety committees, identifying hazards, selecting solutions, and implementing workplace exercise programs.
1. THE ABC OF
OFFICE ERGONOMICS.
Presented by:
Associate Professor Abdul Shukor bin Abdullah
Niosh Approved Trainer, Ergonomis Assessor & Consultan
(profshukor.blogspot.com)
2. 2
Objectives Of Today’s Talk
At the end of this talk, participants ill be able to gain an
awareness and able to understand on:
1. National Regulations on Occupational Safety & Health
Hazards
2. Office Ergonomics
3. Practical Counter Measures to minimise the risks to
Body Health and overall Safety at work
3. Physical Factors That Cause Health Hazards and
Work-related Stress At Office.
3Sources: profshukor.blogspot.com
4. What is ERGONOMICS?
4
‘Ergonomics’ is derived from two Greek words
Ergon meaning ‘work’ and
Nomos meaning ‘principles or laws’
Ergonomics = The Science of WorkErgonomics = The Science of Work
Ergonomics is not a new science, although the term
has become more common lately. The phrase
was first coined in 1857.
5. Definition of ERGONOMICS
5
“Ergonomics is essentially fitting the
workplace to the worker. The
better the fit the higher the level of
safety and worker efficiency.”
Fitting the Task to the Human ~
Grandjean 1990
6. Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
1994 - Ministry of Human Resource
6
OSHA 1994 is a set of regulations enacted in
Parliament with a broad scope involving many
Sections. In its broadest sense, the Act aims at:
● the promotion and maintenance of the highest
degree of physical, mental and social well-
being of workers in all occupations;
● the prevention among workers of
adverse effects on health caused by their
working conditions;
7. 7
● the placing and maintenance of workers in an
occupational environment adapted to physical
and mental needs; (right person for the job)
● the adaptation of work to humans. (task fits to
the worker’s capability’)
Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
1994 - Ministry of Human Resource
Both EMPLOYERS and EMPLOYEES can be prosecuted and penalised
under OSHA 1994
Sections 15, 16, 17, 18 – General Duties of EMPLOYERS
Sections 24, 25, 26, 27 – General Duties of EMPLOYEES
8. Office Environmental Factors
8
• awkward posture?
• slippery / contaminated floors?
• variations in levels?
• exposure to extreme heat/cold?
• strong air movements?
• poor lighting conditions?
Does the working environment
result in :
9. Employees who have discomfort problems at office.
9
Graph on right, illustrates
the prevalence of
discomfort by work
category. It is clear within
this graph that Data Entry
and Customer Service
employees have a
significantly higher
incidence of discomfort
within their population
versus the other work
groups. Close behind these
groups are
Designers/Engineers and
Administrative Assistants.
When looking at the levels
of discomfort between the
groups, it appears that the
work categories with the
higher level of exposure to
computer activities have
the higher prevalence of
discomfort.
10. Major Cause: SEDENTARY Activities
10
A sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle with no or irregular physical activity.
12. Causes of Bodily Pains.
12
1. Extended Arm Reach
2. Arm is places on hard table surface
3. Compact workstation
4. Eyes and LCD Monitor not in horizontal plane
5. Office is TOO Bright
6. Wrong Chairs
14. Back Pain due to Office Activities
14
Most UPPER Back Pain (UBP)
problems come from
CERVICAL (C1 to C7) area.
Most LOWER Back Pain (LBP)
problems come from
LUMBAR (L1 to L5) area.
27. Action Plan For You…
27
Form A Team or Committee
Identify Sources of the Safety and Health Hazards
Select and Develop Counter Measures and Effective Solutions
Set 1 Day for Office ‘Community Program’
Green the OFFICE
Install Proper Workstation Equipment