ERGOLINES 

        A quarterly publication by ERGOWORKS CONSULTING, LLC

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Ergonomic Lighting & Computer Screens

Is lighting really that important when it comes to our work around computers or reading?  The answer is YES, it can make a big difference.  Some of the more common discomforts associated with our computers, commonly known as Computer Vision Syndrome, include the following:

Can one have too much light in the workplace?  YES.  Likewise, it is easily possible to not have enough light and encounter the above discomforts.  Most Office buildings are comprised of florescent lights.  In short they are economical, (inexpensive to operate), cheap to purchase and replace and produce very little heat when in operation.  This can be a huge problem, especially in the summer months. Florescent lights produce light from the “Blue” light spectrum.  The standard house light or incandescent bulb produces light from the red side of the light spectrum.  The problem is that glare tends to increase when light is produced from the blue side of the spectrum.  The general guidelines for lighting indicate that 1,000 lux is necessary for reading and 500-750 lux for computer work.  Of course, we tend to complete both tasks throughout the day complicating matters.

Solutions are often simple and inexpensive.  The first step is to carefully observe what tasks are being performed.  Are you reading and editing most of the day or are you on the computer typing/responding to e-mail?  Are you in a data entry position or do you work with invoices and papers then input data?  When you have the opportunity to introduce a mixture or blend of natural light, via a window, into the room that is always welcome.  Be careful though as you do not want to overexpose.  The use or adjustment of blinds is often helpful.  In general, diffuse the light by changing the blinds to reflect the light up towards the ceiling.  Then let the light bounce off the ceiling back to your eye and work area.  Most folks have their blinds adjusted just the opposite, diffusing light down towards the ground or directly into your eye.  Also, consider a small task light positioned for your reading area, not onto the computer screen.  Try to obtain a task light with an incandescent bulb.

Sometimes, adjustments may be necessary to your computer screen itself.  For example, you may need to adjust the brightness or contrast controls.  Secondly, make sure you have contrasting colors for your background screens.  Avoid the bright neon colors and red/yellow/orange combinations.  If the text is black the background that is best would be white.  The greater the contrast usually results in easier readability for the eye.  Sometimes, the screen itself seems to blink/flicker as your working.  Almost as if it is not bright enough.  This could be a problem with the screen or it could be as simple as changing the screen speed that is measured in megahertz.  The standard setting is 60 mhz but often times you can adjust this in increments up to 90 mhz.  In doing so this often will eliminate the flicker or dull imaging on the screen.  (NOTE:  Please check with your MIS folks before you consider this adjustments).  Another simple option is to adjust the font size of the screen.  Again the default is usually small.  Windows allows for a large and an extra large font setting.  This simple adjustment-which costs nothing, has saved many backs and necks from excessive strain.  Lastly, have your eyes checked at least every 2 years and tell the optometrist that you work at a computer all day.  They will have some other tips and ideas too.
     
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OSHA TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 

Training is the 4^th element in the proposed ergonomics standard that would be required for compliance.  In many cases, it is impractical to re-engineer the plant or redesign the workplace.  So what options have you ?  Training is one of the answers but remember you get what you pay for.  Sometimes, the best course of action is to step back a moment and train our employees how to do the job.  Often this is taken for granted as we become too involved in other projects and neglect the new hires, transfers or other personnel that come into the environment.  Have you taken the time to train them in the job ?  Do they know what the job requirements are ?  Most importantly, do they know how to perform the job in such a way as to minimize their exposure to ergonomic risk factors ?

A good training program will address many of these issues.  Under the proposed standard, here is the basic obligation:  You must provide training to employees so they know about MSD hazards and your ergonomics program and measures for eliminating or reducing the hazards.  You must provide training initially and periodically every 3 years at no cost to employees.  You must train employees in identified problem jobs, supervisors of employees in the problem jobs and persons involved in setting up and managing the ergonomics program.  The content of the training must include the following:

While many videos have come out recently offering ergonomics training, they may not satisfy the compliance aspect of the standard.  Videos are unable to answer questions or interact with students.  CD ROMs are also limited in the ability to provide Q&A.  Both offer no “Hands-On” experience that is incorporated in all of our training programs.  Experience also shows us that if you desire to bring about real change in employee behaviors and attitudes then a video or CD-ROM is not going to get the job done.  You will seriously need to consider personalized, customized face to face training.  The good news is that you probably have many folks within your organization that are quite capable of meeting this need.  They may need some training but once up to speed they are able to repackage and present the material on your schedule.
         
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OSHA Identifies MSDs

In order to clarify some of the language concerning ergonomics, OSHA has provided some definition to the term MSDs.  MSD is short for Muscular Skeletal Disorder and is further defined as injuries of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal column discs.  MSDs do not include injuries caused by traumatic accidents such as slips, trips, or falls.  They are injuries that occur gradually, slowly over time.  In part this is why ergonomic injuries are sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat.  In a traumatic injury, ie. fall and break your writs, you know exactly how you did it and what the treatment is to make it better.  

Below is a quick review of several MSDs that will be covered by the newly proposed ergonomic standard.

Low back pain: Strain or sprain of the low back muscles, ligaments or tendons.  Often associated with poor sitting or standing posture, lack of supportive chairs and improper lifting/bending/pushing activities. 

Herniated disc: A disc along the spinal column that has "bulged" out or herniated.  Much like a jelly donut that is leaking the jelly.  Often obtained as above and with repetitive bending and twisting activities.

Sciatica: A compression of the long nerve that runs down the leg.  Usually caused by a herniated disc that pinches against the nerve.  This type of injury will often partially paralyze the affected leg of the patient with severe pain and numbness.  

Carpet layers knee: An injury to the knee area and upper part of the leg.  Usually obtained by carpet installers when they repeatedly band their knee against a tool to stretch the carpet.

Raynaud's disease: A circulatory disturbance affecting the extremities.  Often associated with tasks that have excessive vibration such as a power tool or jack hammer.

Tendonitis: An inflammation of the tendon which connects muscle to bone.  Very common in the writs, elbow and shoulder areas. Often a precursor to more serious injuries when ignored.

Epicondylitis: A tendonitis of the elbow (ie. tennis or golfer's elbow).  Often associated with activities that require a grip force with the wrist flexed or extended (tennis backhand, using screwdriver, improper height of keyboard).

Tarsal Tunnel: Similar to carpal tunnel but in the ankle or instep area.  Often caused by repetitive ankle motions such as using a foot pedal.

Trigger Finger: An inflammation of the tendon sheath that often causes the finger to stick momentarily when used.  Often in the index finger caused from repetitive finger motions like pipetting, mousing, or video games.  

DeQervains's Disease: Inflammation of 2 of the 3 tendons in the thumb causing pain and fatigue.  Usually obtained from excessive thumb motions (ie. pipetting, keyboarding).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An inflammation and compression of the median nerve running through the wrist.  Often caused by compression (leaning) on wrist, repetitive wrist motions (assembly, keyboarding), or sustained poor wrist posture. 

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Why Does It Hurt When I Sit?

If you catch yourself saying, "Oooh my aching back," at some point, you are not alone.  Surveys indicate that 50% of working age adults experience low back pain (LBP) symptoms annually.  In addition, 90% of adults will experience an acute episode of LBP, at least once in their lifetime.  As we age, so do the discs in our back.  Often LBP is more prevalent in the 40-60 age group than the 20-40 group.  According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) men outnumber women almost 2 to 1 in sustaining back injuries that require time off from work.

The number of theories and reasons for LBP is abundant but the one fact that stands out and cannot be refuted is the pure and simple mechanics of the spine when in a seated posture.  Our spinal column is designed to withstand a tremendous amount of compressive forces.  By design the vertebrae become progressively larger from the cervical (neck area) to the lumbar or low back region. Since our body naturally weighs more as you move down the spinal column, the vertebrae must increase in size to support the weight.  Another physical attribute of the back is the curved design of the spine.  Our back was designed to maintain three distinct curves not just one.  When we are able to maintain these three curves, our back is more efficient (in terms of lifting) and less stressed (in terms of pressure to the discs).

The problem with our low back region, specifically the lumbar vertebrae known as L4 and L5, are they become taxed when we are  in a sitting posture.  When we sit,  we have lost the 3 curves that our back prefers to maintain.  It is this seated posture that the pressure to L4 and L5 discs are increased by 40% (assuming a normal supported seated position.)  In other words, when we stand the pressure to the L4 and L5 area is 100% but when we sit the pressure increased to 140%.  Now if we lean forward in our chairs in slumped and unsupported posture, the pressure to these discs can easily increase to 200%.  Finally lift a small 2lb notebook binder while in this position and the pressure is now approaching 250%.

Are you beginning to understand no why your low back often hurts from simply sitting down and working at the computers all day?  Unfortunatelym as we agem si do the discs in our back.  Often LBP is more prevalent in ht e40-60 age group than in the 20-40 group. So what can you do to avoid LBP when you have to work in a seated posture? 

Tips for Avoiding Low Back Pain

1. Reverse the Curve.  What ever position you have been using for the last hour, stop and reverse that curve.  For example, if you have been sitting at your desk, stand up and gently lean back. This reverses the curve.
2. Walk Between Tasks.  When the opportunity affords itself, take a walk between tasks or projects.
3. Support the Low Back.  Using the lumbar adjustment on your chair or a home cushion, position the support in the low back area where your curve is greatest.
4. Strengthen the Muscles.  Abdominals are key muscles in controlling LBP.  Keep them strong.
5. Drink More Water.  Studies who that if your body is hydrated you stand a better chance of not injuring the discs in your back.

As you plan your Training Calendar keep ERGOWORKS in mind.  We can provide a broad variety of Office and Industrial back training programs.

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Who is Liable for Employee Injuries?  

In a previous issue of ERGOLINLINES, I reported on a case involving a plaintiff who had sued Digital Equipment Corporation for $5.3 Million claiming her keyboard caused her to obtain CTS.  This verdict was appealed and has since been reversed, justifiably so.  Keyboards do not cause CT Injuring and manufacturers do not have a duty to warn users.  This opinion and trend was again confirmed in the case of Gonsales V. Digital Equipment Corporation, (June 16, 1998).  Like the preceding cases, the jury found in favor of DEC.  Over the last 18 months the trend has been for the plaintiffs to discontinue or settle the case before it goes to trial.

Unfortunately, for every silver lining there is always the dark clouds of litigation on the horizon.  What we are seeing now is that employees that have been injured or hurt on the job are now turning towards their employer.  The number of CTS cases being litigated continues to rise as employees are now seeking restitution with the employer.  Listed below are 6 tips to help your company avoid ergonomic litigation.