Total Office

Ergonomics

Teresa A. Bellingar, Ph.D., AEP

Senior Corporate Ergonomist
Haworth, Inc.
[email protected]

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© 2009 Haworth, Inc. All rights reserved.

 Our Objectives - to be able to:

x Understand basic ergonomic principles

for office workstation design, and

x be able to discuss basic office

ergonomic principles.
 NA Computer/VDT Workstation Standards &
Guidelines

• ANSI/HFES 100-2007
• BIFMA G1-200X*
• CAN/CGSB-44.227-
2008
• CAN/CGSB 44.229-
2008
• CAN/CGSB-44.232-
2008
• CSA Z412-2000
• ISO 9241-5:1998

*Currently being revised – final revision expected by end of 2009.

Which anthropometric database should be used?

Demographic Variable NATICK/TR-89/044 CAESAR NHANES

Date Data Collected 1987-1988 1998-2000 2003-2006

Population Army Personnel Adult Population of United States Adult Population of United States

Overall Age Range 17-51 years 18-65 years over 20 years old (includes people 80
years and over)

Total Number of Subjects in Database 3,982 2,380 9,346

--Total Number of Males in Database 1,774 1,119 4,489

--Total Number of Females in Database 2,208 1,261 4,857

Racial/Ethnic Distribution for Males

--White 51.6% 83.82% 52.11%

--Black/African American 41.8% 11.18% 20.96%

--Spanish/Hispanic or Mexican American 2.6% 1.04% 20.12%

--Asian/Pacific 1.4% 2.66% ----

--American Indian 0.6% ---- ----

--Mixed/Other 1.9% 0.46% ----

--Other Not Listed ---- 0.13% ----

--Missing ---- 0.06% ----

Racial/Ethnic Distribution for Females

--White 66.1% 82.63% 51%

--Black/African American 25.8% 13.05% 21.31%

--Spanish/Hispanic or Mexican American 3.8% 0.47% 20.07%

--Asian/Pacific 1.6% 2.55% ----

--American Indian 0.7% ---- ----

--Mixed/Other 2.0% 0.83% ----

--Other Not Listed ---- 0.16% ----

--Missing ---- 0.06% ----

 ANSI/HFES 100-2007

Covers:
• Installed Systems, Input Devices, Visual Displays, & Furniture

Employers Need to Ensure:

• Components meet design specifications in standard
• Components are compatible in workstation
• Configured workstation properly fits user(s)
• Users are informed about proper use and adjustment of components.

ANSI/HFES 100-2007

• Includes four reference working postures.

• Doesn’t allow for fixed height worksurfaces.
• Clearances under work surfaces must accommodate at
least 2 of 3 seated reference working postures.
 BIFMA G1-200X
• Current G1 was issued in 2002
– Current recommendations based on military data
– Covers:
• The Work Chair
• Work Surfaces
– Includes four reference working postures
• Revised G1 will be based on CAESAR data
– BIFMA’s ADAWG Committee completed in-depth
review of anthropometric data and CAESAR database
in January 2009.

Trends in Stature

80

75
Stature in Inches

70

5th Percentile Female

65
95th Percentile Male

60

55

50
NHES(1959-1962) NATICK/TR- NHANES (1988-1994) CAESAR (1998-2000) NHANES (2003-2006)
89/044(1987-1988)

Anthropometric Database
 Trends in Body Weight

300

275

250
Body Weight in lbs

225

200
5th Percentile Female
175
95th Percentile Male
150

125

100

75

50
NHES(1959-1962) NATICK/TR- NHANES (1988-1994) CAESAR (1998-2000) NHANES (2003-2006)
89/044(1987-1988)

Anthropometric Database

The “Growing” Range of the Population

Natick CAESAR NHANES
Height
5th %tile F 60.15” 60.08” 59.3”
95th %tile M 73.48” 74.83” 74.3”

Weight
5th %tile F 109.4 lbs 108.5 lbs 111.2 lbs
95th %tile M 216.2 lbs 252.7 lbs 270.3 lbs

Hip Breadth,
Sitting
5th %tile M 12.94” 12.95” ----
95th %tile F 17.02” 19.72” ----
 General Ergonomic Principles for
Workstation Design

What Type of Work Surface

should you Select?
Work Surfaces

Fixed Height Panel Hung Split Top Sit-to-Stand

Adjustable Keyboard Technician Adjust for Adjustable Keyboard

Footrest Footrest
Tray Each User Tray
 Work Surface
Height
• may vary depending on task; e.g., surface higher for writing than
typing
• should not contact the thighs or knees
Width
• wide enough to accommodate all needed input devices, task
materials and accessories
• enough clearance for legs and any items stored below work
surface
Depth
• allow for positioning of monitor
• allow for postural changes
• knees should not contact items/support structure under work
surfaces

Sit or Stand?

• Sit when…
– doing fine manipulation
– need high visual attention
– need high degree of stability
– precise foot control is needed
– there is not heavy material
handling
– task requires fixed postures
for extended periods
 Sit or Stand?

• Stand when…
– frequently handle heavy
objects or when
experience heavy
downward forces
– mobility is required
– frequently need to make
extended reaches
– doing a variety of tasks
– doing intermittent work
– have low back pain

Clearances Under the Work Surface for Sitting

Postures

• Users should be able

to sit at the support
surface with adequate
clearance for the legs,
with the shoulders,
elbows and wrists at
neutral positions.
General Guidelines for Work Reaches

Note: Values are for North American Population

Guidelines for Forward Reaches above
Work Surface & above Floor

Note: Values are for North American Population

Overhead Storage?
Lighting

Maximum Luminance Ratios

 The Monitor

• Align monitor with your body.

• Keep the top of the monitor screen below
eye level.
• Keep viewing distance to monitor screen
greater than 18 inches.
• Keep documents at a similar distance.
• Protect monitor from glare.

Viewing Distance
Good

• Greater viewing
distances will reduce
stress on the visual
system. The only limit
to viewing distance is Bad
the ability to read the
screen.
Don’t tilt the monitor down to avoid glare.
Fix the lighting.

<

>

Monitor Arms
Keyboard and/or AKP

• Should be adjustable.
• tilt: positive, negative or none
• at approximately elbow height (elbows bent at
90º or greater)
• upper arms hanging straight down (not stretched
out in front of you)
• wrists in neutral position (straight)
• controls easy to access and operate
• palm rests used only when resting
 Mouse or other Input Device
• Should be placed near the
keyboard.
• Should be located on the
same plane as the
keyboard.
• Grip should be light and
relaxed.
• Should be the appropriate
size for the user.
• Should be kept clean.
 What do you do with laptops?

Seating

• Seat Height
• Seat Depth
• Seat Width
• Clearance between
Armrests
• Armrest Height
• Lumbar
• Angle Between
Backrest and Seat Pan
 Additional Chair Features

• Waterfall/Flexing Front • Tension Adjustment

Edge on Seat Pan • Back Stop/Lock
• Pelvic Support • Forward Tilt
• Armrest Front-to-Back • Backrest Height
• Armrest Side-to-Side • Backrest Width
• Armrest Pivot/Angle • Multi-Sized Chairs
• Armrest Cap Width

Seat Height

• Users should be able to

sit with their feet
comfortably on the floor
or footrest without
undue pressure on the
underside of the thighs.
The thigh-to-torso angle
should not be less than
90°.
 Seat Height Adjustment

Source: Ardnt, "Office Ergonomics"

Seat Depth

• Users should be able to

sit in the chair without
undue pressure against
the back of the knees,
their back properly
supported by the
backrest and with
adequate buttock and
thigh support.
 Seat Width

• The seat should be

wider than the hip
breadth of the user to
allow space for
vs.
movement and
clothing. The seat width
should not limit the
ability to comfortably
use the armrests.

Distance Between Armrests

• The inside distance

between the armrests
should allow the user to
easily enter and exit the
chair. The hips should
comfortably fit between
the armrests or
supports.
 Seat Pan Angle/Forward Tilt
• Seat pan angle should allow
the user to support their feet
on the floor or footrest.

• Seat pan angles should not

cause the user’s torso-to-thigh
angle to be less than 90q.

• Forward tilt should not cause

users to shift excessive weight
to their feet or experience the
sensation of sliding out of the
chair.

Tension Adjustment

• Adjusting a chair’s
tension control
regulates the amount
of resistance a user
feels when leaning
back in a chair and the
effort required to
recline the chair.
 Back Stop

• A back stop allows

users to select an
upright posture or
limit the amount of
recline.

Backrest Height & Width

• For tasks requiring upper body
mobility, the backrest should not
interfere with the user’s
movement.
• For reclining postures, or more
upper back support, the back
height should provide support for
the shoulder blades.
• Backrest should also provide
adequate support for the back
without causing localized
pressure points.
 Lumbar & Pelvic Support
• The height and shape of the
lumbar support should
coincide with the lumbar
curve (“the small”) of the
user’s back. The support
should be firm, but not cause
localized pressure points.
• The pelvic support works in
combination with the lumbar
to keep the pelvis from
rotating backwards.

Lumbar Adjustment

Lumbar Region
 Armrest Height

• Should support a user’s

forearms and/or elbows
in a manner that avoids
lifting the shoulders
(armrests too high) or
leaning to the side to
reach the armrest
(armrests too low).

• Should not interfere with

tasks.

Armrest Front-to-Back

• Front-to-back
adjustment allows users
to position the armrest
so they can get close
enough to their work
surface while
maintaining effective
use of the backrest.
 Armrest Side-to-Side

• Side-to-side adjustment
of the armrests allows
them to be adjusted
closer to the seat pan
for users with narrower
shoulders and adjusted
further from the seat
pan for individuals with
wider shoulders.

Armrest Pivot

• Pivoting the armrests

allows users to position
the armrests based on
the tasks they are
performing while still
providing the user with
proper forearm support.
 Overall - Adjust the Chair to
Fit the Occupant

• allow user to select or

try out chair
• train users how to adjust
the chair for them
• ensure that the user’s
movements are not
restricted by their chair
• encourage users to
move frequently and
assume different
postures while seated

What Chair Features should you select?

Task Chair

Seat Width
Tension
Seat Height Seat Depth and
Armrest Adjustment
(> 4.5” of (include 16.5” Clearance Lumbar
Height (support 110
adjustment) to 16.9”) between
to 250 lbs)
Armrests

Different Ability to
2 to 3 inches Adjust in At least 4 4 inches of
Different Pneumatic Different Size Different Size Change
of Width and/or inches of Height
Base Options Cylinder Chairs Chairs Amount of
Adjustment Pivot/Rotate Adjustment Adjustment
Options Support
 Example Offices

Do you see anything wrong????

 What does all this mean?
• Poorly designed jobs and
workstations will inevitably
cause injuries to some
workers.

• User adjustability a must in

workstations/seating
– Identify key product
features which will provide
greater adjustability ranges

• Implementing an ergonomics
program can mean positive
measurable results in many
areas for a company.

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