Ergonomics Program

What is Ergonomics?

It is the study of the workplace. Its purpose is to study people in their work environment and make determinations of whether the worker is using his/her work space in the most efficient manner and without risk of injury. REM is currently concentrating on office ergonomics, but is available to do ergonomics in work areas other than offices.

Injuries that can be attributed to poor office ergonomic setup can range from simple discomfort to disabling ailments that have to be remedied by a physician and/or surgery. Some symptoms of discomfort associated with work space setup are:

    Headache
    Eye Strain
    Neck Pain
    Shoulder Pain
    Back Pain
    Arm Pain
    Wrist Pain
    Numbing of the Hands and Fingers
    Leg Discomfort

The following is a short description of the postures that should be maintained while working at a computer work station.

Start with the chair: It should be at a height that allows the feet to be placed flat on the floor with the thighs level or slightly pointed down. There should be no pressure on the back of the thigh. Sit up straight allowing the natural curve of the spine to contour to the lumbar support of the chair. This posture will put the user at the proper sitting height to use the computer.

Next is the keyboard height: Let the arms hang naturally at the sides and bring the forearms up until they are parallel with the floor. With the hands extending naturally from the wrists, move up to the keyboard, the hands should lay naturally on the keys. This is the proper keying height. The wrists should not bend in, out, up, or down, but should maintain a straight line from the top of the forearm across the back of the hand. Do not rest the wrists on the sharp edge of the work station surface while keying.

The last step is to maintain the proper monitor distance and height: Sitting in the keying position, set the distance to the monitor screen at arms length ( this can vary depending on the user's visual acuity). The height of the monitor should be where the eyes look naturally at the top 1/3 of the screen when the head is held level. If the user wears bi or trifocals, the monitor will usually be positioned at a lower level so the user does not have to tilt the head up to view the screen.

With these simple postures in mind, many people can solve their own ergonomic problems when working at a computer work station.

Purdue's Proactive Ergonomics Program

Developed in 1995, its purpose is to provide the means for university employees to be educated on the effects of ergonomics in their work space and be evaluated ( if necessary) to identify any risk factors that are or could lead to injuries. If changes are required in the work space, REM has limited funding to assist in purchasing equipment to correct the deficiencies. REM purchases are limited to the specific items listed below.

    Keyboard Trays and connecting hardware
    Wristrests and Mouserests
    Monitor Platforms
    Document Holders
    Glare Screens
    Footrests
    Chairs

Since funding is limited, purchases are made on a first come first serve basis and are at the discretion of the REM representative performing the evaluation. For fiscal year 00/01, funding of equipment will be in a 50/50 partnership with departments.

The mechanics of this arrangement will be as follows:

Call REM (41430) to request an Office Worker Ergonomics Questionnaire form or click on link to fill out the form online. A confirmation that REM received your questionnaire will be sent via email. If you do not receive this confirmation within a week, either call REM or resubmit your questionnaire.
An on-site assessment will be done for the individual after a survey form is received by REM.
The REM representative will send two copies of a follow-up recommendation form to the individual listing the items that have been recommended for purchase, with an itemized price list, the total cost, and the amount that will be incurred by the department.
One copy is returned to REM with an authorizing signature, date and account number, and one copy is routed to the departmental business office. It is the employee department's responsibility to order the recommended equipment. On a monthly basis, REM will transfer the 50% it pays to the department's account via intramural voucher.

Installation of ergonomic equipment and labor costs incurred (keyboard slides, etc.) will be the responsibility of departments through their respective Zone Maintenance personnel.

In addition to the services provided by REM, a cross-functional team has been formed with members from the Design Studio/Purchasing, Planning and Engineering, Facilities Services, and REM. Its purpose is to specify equipment and furniture that the University will provide for new facilities and renovations.

For more information concerning ergonomics or to set up a training session please contact Alan Gerth.