Workstation Ergonomics

Transcript

CREATING A HEALTHY WORKSTATION E N V IR O N M E N T : Workstation Ergonomics Made Easy Important Health-Related Information About the Use of Your Computer Workstations For more information on Workstation Ergonomics and Occupational Safety and Health within the Anchorage School District, please see our website at: https://home.asdk12.org/RiskManagement/ If you need assistance in evaluating your workstation, contact your supervisor. This booklet offers guidelines for choosing a desk and chair, positioning the keyboard and displays, and adjusting room lighting. It also includes suggestions for healthy work patterns, such as taking frequent rest breaks, and some exercises to relieve muscle strain. Only you can tell what is comfortable for you, so you have the ultimate responsibility for adapting your workstation, within these guidelines, to meet your own needs. The guidance in this booklet is based on American and international ergonomics standards. We recommend that you read the entire booklet before setting up, evaluating, or modifying your workstation, because many factors are inter-related. A change to one may affect another — for example, changing the height of your chair will change the angle at which you view the display and type on the keyboard. TABLE OF CONTENTS PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................... 1 ERGONOMICS DEFINITION ......................................................................................... 1 CAUSES ............................................................................................................................ 1 PREVENTION/RESPONSE ........................................................................................... 1 Guidelines...................................................................................................................... 1 Needs Assessment Procedure .................................................................................. 2 Funding .......................................................................................................................... 2 Equipment Disposition................................................................................................. 2 Reporting ....................................................................................................................... 3 HEALTH CONCERNS..................................................................................................... 3 Musculoskeletal discomfort ........................................................................................ 3 Eye fatigue .................................................................................................................... 4 EQUIPMENT SET-UP AND ADJUSTMENT ............................................................... 5 Selecting a Computer Desk........................................................................................ 5 Selecting and Adjusting Your Chair .......................................................................... 7 Body Posture Affects Keyboard Position.................................................................. 8 Display Placement and Settings .............................................................................. 10 Lighting......................................................................................................................... 12 Troubleshooting Guide .................................................................................................. 13 Stretching Exercises ...................................................................................................... 14 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 15 Ergonomic Safety Checklist ............................................................................................. 18 ERGONOMICS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PURPOSE The Anchorage School District has historically paid out almost 25% of its workers’ compensation payments annually on ergonomic related injuries. The average cost of a worker’s compensation ergonomic related claim is approximately $60,000. The average cost of proactive ergonomic solutions ranges between $200 and $1,500 if the situation is addressed promptly before the employee needs serious medical care. Therefore, each proactive measure taken by departments and facilities that prevents a claim can ensure that up to$59,000 remains available for education. ERGONOMICS DEFINITION Webster defines ergonomics as “the study of equipment design in order to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort.” The other accepted definition is “the design of the work to fit the worker.” CAUSES There is no medical and scientific consensus on the causes of repetitive stress injuries. However, there are new case studies proving that keyboard use does not cause carpal tunnel or other repetitive stress injuries when performed properly. There is also no medical and scientific consensus on the remedies for ergonomic injuries. An across-theboard prescription runs the risk of doing more harm than good until doctors have a clearly developed medical understanding of the causes and cures of ergonomic injuries. Today, for example, two administrative assistants can be working side-by-side, same work, same working conditions, - yet one develops carpal tunnel syndrome while the other does not. Doctors are not able to explain why. However, the evidence does show that the following factors are linked to ergonomic injuries: • Holding the body in static, cramped positions. • Vibration. • Impact. • Emotional stress. • Gender (women are more than twice as likely as men to develop carpal tunnel). In fact, most ergonomic injuries experienced by employees are probably initially caused by their hobbies. Activities such as water skiing, snow machining, knitting, woodworking and landscaping are more likely to cause an ergonomic injury than any office task. PREVENTION/RESPONSE Guidelines The guidelines in this handbook outline the measures that can be taken to improve the work situation for office workers. Additional guidelines are available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html for all industries/work positions. Page 1 Needs Assessment Procedure A short duration fund is available to assist departments in reducing ergonomic injuries. The following list shows the progression of reporting and actions to address an ergonomic issue: 1. The employee notifies their supervisor when they begin to feel discomfort. 2. The supervisor will have the employee complete a ‘self assessment’ covering the risk factors above and the guidelines provided by Risk Management. 3. The supervisor and the employee will review the checklist and implement any applicable corrections from the Ergonomic Guidelines that can be made onsite without outside assistance. 4. After one week, if there has been limited or no improvement, the supervisor will provide the Risk Management Safety Specialist with the self assessment and add any contributing factors such as employee performance issues, employee personal stress/emotional factors, photos of the worksite (whenever possible), etc. 5. The Safety Specialist will review the supplied information and may conduct a worksite review. The Safety Specialist will recommend further actions for the employee and the minimum equipment needed for the workspace. Options will be provided, whenever possible, for the employee to choose from. Options will never include “nice to have” equipment but only that equipment absolutely necessary to prevent injury or aggravation of an existing medical condition. 6. The supervisor will provide the Safety Specialist with the appropriate fund code for their portion of the equipment. 7. The Safety Specialist will advise the supervisor of the equipment cost, supplier, equipment catalog number(s) and order 80% of the funds transferred to the fund code provided. 8. The supervisor will order the required equipment within three working days of the fund transfer. Funding Normally, 100% of the cost is born by the employee’s department. The ASD School Board has approved a temporary fund for 2004-2005 that allows for ergonomic equipment funding as follows: 20% - Department/Facility Budget 80% - Risk Management Ergonomic Equipment Budget Equipment Disposition Equipment purchased to address an employee’s ergonomic requirements will, whenever possible, accompany the employee as long as they continue to be employed by the Anchorage School District. The facility supervisor will contact Risk Management to determine the disposition of equipment when the employee terminates from District employment. Equipment purchased with ASD funds does not belong to the employee and will not be taken off ASD premises. Page 2 Reporting Employees receiving equipment under this program will file a brief report semiannually through their supervisor to Risk Management to report what effect the modifications have had. A total of two reports, as a minimum, will be required in order to track program effectiveness. Risk Management will file a report to senior administration at the close of the 2005-2006 school year with the initial results and projected cost savings realized. HEALTH CONCERNS Associated With Computer Use Much of the muscle soreness, eye fatigue, and other discomforts and injuries can occur from other activities. In fact, misuse of the same muscles and joints during multiple activities can make the problem worse. For example, if you engage in non-work activities that may involve repetitive stress on the wrist — such as playing the piano — and also use your computer keyboard improperly; you may increase the likelihood of developing wrist problems. Preventing health problems is a multi-faceted task that requires careful attention to the way you use your body every day. The most common health effects associated with using a computer are muscularskeletal discomfort, eye fatigue, and repetitive stress injuries. Musculoskeletal discomfort As with any activity that involves sitting for long periods of time, using a computer can make your muscles sore and stiff. You can minimize these effects by setting up your workstation carefully (using the guidance in this booklet), by taking frequent breaks to rest tired muscles, and by doing some simple stretching exercises to relieve strain. Another type of musculoskeletal concern is repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs). These problems can occur when a certain muscle, joint, or tendon is repeatedly overused and forced into an unnatural position. The exact amount of stress that will cause RSI is still not known, but in addition to awkward postures, factors such as the amount of repetition, force used in the activity, and the individual’s physiology, hobbies and lifestyle may affect the creation of RSI. RSIs did not suddenly arise with computer use; tennis elbow and writer’s cramp are two wellknown RSIs. Pianists have frequently suffered from RSIs, sometimes terminating very promising careers. One RSI discussed more often today, however, is a wrist problem called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). It may be irritated by improper use of computer keyboards. This nerve disorder results from excessive pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist to the hand. This booklet offers advice on setting up your chair, desk, keyboard, and other parts of your computer workstation. Proper workstation ergonomics will help you to minimize the possibility of developing RSI. The effects of repetitive movements associated with using a computer can be compounded by other work or leisure activities to produce or Page 3 aggravate physical problems, so proper use of your computer system must be considered as just one element, an important one, of a healthy lifestyle. No one can guarantee that you won’t have problems even when you follow the most expert advice on using computer equipment. You should always check with a qualified health specialist if muscle, joint, or eye problems occur. Eye fatigue Eye fatigue can occur when the eyes are focused on a nearby object for a long time. This occurs because the eye muscles must work harder to view an object that is closer than about 20 feet. Improper lighting can hasten the development of the problem. Although eye fatigue is annoying and can cause temporary vision changes, there is no evidence that it causes a permanent vision change or damage. Therefore, the monitor should be set as far from the eye as comfortable. According to ISO 9241 pt. 3, the optimum distance between the visual display and the user’s eyes is dependent on several factors. The design viewing distance (by the monitor manufacturer) is set to >15¾ inches, the optimum viewing distance for office work in the seated position is 23¾ inches. Most users select distances between 17¾ - 29½ inches. Viewing distances in this range require character heights that subtend 20’ to 22’. The first figure illustrates distances for monitor placement. Whenever you are engaged in an activity that involves close-up work, such as reading a magazine, doing craft work, or using a computer, be sure to have sufficient glare-free lighting, give your eyes frequent rest breaks by looking up and focusing on distant objects, and remember to have your eyes examined regularly. Heavy computer users should consult with their eye care professional and consider getting glasses with a focus area at the distance of the computer screen. Page 4 WORKSTATION DIMENSION (inches) 5%ILE 95%ILE FEMALE MALE 26 33.7 DIMENSION a Shoulder height, sitting (Acromaile) b Eye height, sitting c d Hip breadth, sitting (not pictured) Elbow rest height e Thigh clearance f g Lumbar height sitting Seat height (popliteal) h Buttock-knee length i Buttock-Popliteal length Forearm-to-forearm breadth, sitting, (not pictured) Buttock to abdomen (waist) depth (not pictured) j k l Thigh clearance from floor (not pictured) Design location for monitor positioning, -35% Chair Width Armrest position With g minimum height of workstation Chair back Seat positioning Depth of workstation with seat pan Seat pan depth 26.5 33.39 12.95 6.9 17.01* 10.8 4.09 7.5 13.8 18.75 21.34 26.26 17.32 21.5 Armrest positioning 16.34 24.45 Armrest length 13.43 Minimum height of underside of workstation desk (e+g) 17.95 26.22 15.75 17.7-29.5 15.75 17.7-29.5 x Viewing distance (horizontal LOS) y Variation in viewing distance * Woman’s data used for hip breadth. EQUIPMENT SET-UP AND ADJUSTMENT Selecting a Computer Desk A desk that is an ideal height for using a pen and paper is often too high for comfort when using a keyboard or looking at a display. Proper angles between your arms and hands and between your head and your body are important in reducing the likelihood of the physical disorders discussed in previous sections. For this reason, the ideal situation is to place your computer on a desk specifically designed for computers, and is adjustable to Page 5 fit a wide range of the population. If you need help, your local ergonomist can assist you in doing this. One such solution is to use a modular desk system that allows you to set the work surface at any of several heights. This type of desk lets you raise or lower either or both the monitor and the display. Another option is to use a desk with a keyboard tray that’s lower than the main work surface. Even if the tray height isn’t adjustable, careful adjustment of the chair may enable you to find a comfortable working position. In the United States, the ANSI Standard (ANSI/HFES 1001988) recommends a height of 23 to 28 inches from the floor for keyboard height to accommodate all but the smallest 5% of women and the tallest 5% of men. The desk should allow for proper monitor placement, with the monitor centered approximately 35o below horizontal, and for the keyboard to be placed at elbow height as illustrated. Since excessive monitor height is a major factor in neck, back, and shoulder discomfort, your alternative is to select the lowest table available (low CRT table) and build components up from there. Before selecting a computer desk, consider your height, the height needed for the keyboard and mouse, the height for comfortable viewing of the display and the range of chair height. Page 6 Selecting and Adjusting Your Chair The chair you sit in must be comfortable and provide firm support. Your chair needs to be adjustable to your needs. Select a chair that is adjustable in height so that your feet can be flat on the floor (5). You should also be able to hold your forearms and hands horizontal or nearly horizontal to the floor when at the keyboard or mouse. If the keyboard is still too high, put something under your feet until you are able to sit with your forearms and hands in the proper position. If you still are unable to do this, consider a lower computer desk or table. The seat pan of the chair should have at least one inch of padding (1½ inch preferred), and the length of the seat pan should be a couple of inches less than the length of your upper leg—measured to the inside of the knee (also called the buttock-popliteal length). It is desirable that the seat pan be adjustable so that a slight tilt forward is possible (1- 3°) in order to take pressure off the bottom of the thighs. FEATURES AND ADJUSTMENT OPTIONS The chair should provide good support to the lower back lumbar region. This entails both adjustment of seat back for height-to-position (2) at the lumbar region, and forwardbackward (3) movement to position it, and provide comfortable support without having to push back uncomfortably or be pushed out of the chair. The chair and the desk should be complementary so that the proper posture is possible. Page 7 Positioning the Keyboard and Mouse The more you use a computer, the more important it is to position the keyboard properly. Muscle strain to the neck and arms is a common physical complaint that may be aggravated by excessive computer use. If you work with your computer for many hours each day, even the best setup may lead to some muscle strain and discomfort. A break in computer use is recommended every so often, with perhaps some stretching exercises to pull out cramps. Body Posture Affects Keyboard Position In spite of the attention keyboards receive in the campaign to reduce workplace cumulative trauma disorders, how a person addresses his or her workstation is proving to be just as important. At the right, the typical, stressful posture of a computer user slouching forward is compared to an ergonomically correct posture. By leaning forward, users can, among other things cause neck and upper back strain and force the wrists to arch, leading to potential median nerve compression (carpal tunnel) and increase stress on the fingers. With the mouse on the desktop and not at the same height as the keyboard, the user will reach to use the mouse and risk additional neck and upper back fatigue and wrist injury. You can create the best position for typing by adjusting the height of both your chair and the keyboard. Everything is adjusted correctly if, when you bend your arms at the elbow and hold your forearms straight ahead and parallel to the floor, your elbows are the same height as the keyboard. That is, the line from your elbow to your hand is straight and has no or very little upward tilt of the wrist. The mouse should be at the same level as the keyboard. Having it higher causes strain on the shoulder, and results in shoulder or neck pain. Consider the hand position for keyboard use also. Page 8 As much as possible, the hands should not be twisted. When typing, your forearms do not have to be exactly parallel to the floor; some variation is acceptable. If, however, there is more than a 15° deviation, you should readjust your chair or desk. Because reducing the tilt of the wrist is desirable to reduce strain and aggravation of carpal tunnel syndrome, the keyboard should be as flat as possible, and not more than a 15° angle. Another of the causes of CTS is banging the wrist on a hard surface during keyboarding. Most of us use the area in front of the keyboard to support our forearms and wrist. This may be constant, or only during resting, but this constant stress on the cartilage of the wrist can damage it, causing CTS. The simplest way to combat this is to put a wrist pad in this area in front of your keyboard or mouse. The pad should be at least as thick as the keyboard, and you may want it as thick as the height of the middle keys. Consider Your Keyboard Page 9 A note about split keyboards. There is some research evidence to support the idea that split keyboards reduce strain on the wrist. The value of the split keyboard however, is small, and the evidence is not conclusive. There is a general feeling that there is some value to split keyboards if the design does not cause other problems, such as space problems on computer desks, the ability to cushion the wrist against trauma, etc. If the split keyboard design does not create other problems, and you are willing to “relearn” your keyboarding skills due to the different keyboard orientations, do not hesitate to use one. If you only have a straight keyboard, to not be nervous about it causing problems. Display Placement and Settings Display Placement. The most important factors in setting up the display are placing it at the proper height and positioning it at the proper angle. You should set it at a comfortable distance for viewing and adjust the brightness and contrast controls properly. Page 10 The normal line of sight is 15° below horizontal. This is an adaptation that allows you to see the ground in front of you when you walk, look down at table tops and other normal things in the environment. For many years, the guidance for primary display placement (the display for computers) was to put it directly in front, and center it 15° below the horizontal line of the eyes. This was questioned by Hill and Kroemer in 1986. They allowed people to set up the display so that they were most comfortable, using an adjustable workstation. They reported that the “comfortable” display placement was 35° below the horizontal line. This finding has been confirmed by measuring the stress on back and neck muscles with eletromyalgrams and are now accepted in ISO 9241-5. The display should be located at least 20 inches from your eyes, but this is partially a function of your vision and comfort. The display should be located at least 20 inches from the eye, at a down angle of 35° from the horizontal of the eye, and set perpendicular to the line of sight. This may require you to adapt the angle of the monitor with a book, board or other device. Don’t be afraid to adapt your monitor angle. Display Settings. Eye strain can result from excessive use of the eyes, especially if the display is not set properly for visual work. These settings must consider the lighting levels, the user’s visual acuity and the detail needed for the work. For the most part, the important display settings are adjustable with monitors in use today. When properly adjusted to optimize brightness, most monitors in use today are sufficient for visual work. An acceptable visual contrast level is also well within the parameters of most of today’s monitors. Both of these should be adjusted to give a clear, easily read picture. In 1986, the IBM scientists tackled the problem of why reading performance on a computer monitor was not as good as reading from paper. In a series of studies, they focused on the problem being poor contrast and insufficient display resolution (pixels). They reported that a display resolution of approximately 1000 x 800 pixels was needed for good visual performance. Page 11 Small characters are another cause of visual strain. Most guidance for character size recommends a minimum character of 20’ of visual arc, about 10 point or less will cause eye strain. Larger characters should be used. There is an interaction of character size and display resolution on most monitors. If you set the monitor at 1024 x 768, the closest setting to that recommended by the IBM studies, the characters become too small to read easily. Because of this, most users reduce the resolution in favor of character size. An alternative solution is possible with most software; you may set the display resolution at 1024 x 768, and set the display size, not at 100%, but at 150% (or where it is comfortable). This will allow you to maximize the resolution, and not sacrifice character size. Image Polarity Early computer displays had negative polarity (light letters against a dark background). This led to eyestrain. Today’s display is normally set for positive polarity (dark letters on a light background). While specific tasks may lend themselves to the negative polarity, most tasks are best with the positive polarity. Using Documents with the Computer If you use other documents with the computer, a document holder placed right next to (or attached to) the monitor at the same level as the monitor is desirable. Lighting Lighting for your work area must provide enough illumination for your keyboard, screen and paper documents without causing problems of reading your display due to glare, reflection or washout. Don’t set up the display right in front of a window, or if you must, use blinds or curtains to reduce or soften the incoming light. Similarly, sunlight coming from directly behind you can cause undesirable glare or reflection. If possible, set up your workstation so that the overhead lights are to the left or right of the monitor and are at right angles to it. Position lamps so they don’t shine directly into your eyes or reflect off the screen. High light levels can “wash out” the display’s image, and because displays are selfilluminating, you might need less light when using your computer than in reading or working with pen and pencil or typewriter. You should not have to strain to read the screen, keyboard or documents. If the general office lighting is causing a problem, consider turning it off and getting focused task lighting (a separate lamp). If you need to refer to paper documents while typing, they should be well illuminated. Position them so that any light directed on them doesn’t reflect off the screen and send glare to your eyes. A document holder may help with correct placement. Keeping a screen clean helps to reduce unwanted reflections. Page 12 Troubleshooting Guide This troubleshooting guide is a quick reference primarily for office workers to help resolve ergonomic related issues before they become a medical problem. Symptom(s) Probable Cause Solutions Any discomfort Maintaining a static position Take microbreaks, stretch, alternate tasks Tension in neck, shoulder and upper back discomfort Head bent too far forward to read, write or view computer screen Elevate work surface, reading materials and screen to keep the head and body more upright Head bent too far back while writing, reading or viewing computer screen Tilt seat pan and backrest forward to align posture vertically Insufficient support of hands and arms while typing, data input, writing or manipulating or holding work with hands Adjust armrests to correct height and angle necessary to support the weight of the arms. For typing tasks also use palm or wrist rest. Head and neck tilted toward one shoulder (usually while holding telephone between shoulder and ear) Use a headset The wrist is in an unnatural position Set the keyboard and/or calculator in a position to achieve a neutral wrist position Excessive application of force to keys Train and practice to reduce excessive force Gripping too tightly Use larger diameter instruments and/or train and practice to reduce excessive gripping force Hand, wrist and lower arm discomfort Lower back pain or discomfort Lumbar (lower back) Adjust backrest forward or tilt curvature not maintained or forward, adjust lumbar curvature supported adjustment (if equipped). The backrest should be placed just above the pelvis to support the lower back area. Lack of foot support resulting in thigh muscles pulling on spine Page 13 Lower chair height and/or use footrest so that feet are supporting the weight of the legs only. The backrest should be placed just above the pelvis to support the lower back Symptom(s) Probable Cause Solutions area. Increased pressure on discs due to poor posture. This results in stretching the muscle, tendon and ligament systems. Open up the trunk/thigh angle toward a neutral position by tilting the seat pan down at the front, sit erect and at the back of the seat. Buttocks discomfort Sitting too far forward and not using the backrest. Open up the trunk/thigh angle toward a neutral position by tilting the seat pan down at the front, sit erect and at the back of the seat. Thigh discomfort Pressure on the underside of the thigh(s) due to feet not being supported. Lower chair height and/or use footrest so that feet are supporting the weight of the legs only. Too much pressure from the front edge of the seat on the soft tissue behind the knee. Sit further forward in the seat and adjust the backrest forward. Too much pressure from the front edge of the seat on the soft tissue behind the knee. Sit further forward in the seat and adjust the backrest forward. Infrequent posture changes in the feet and lower legs. Stand and move during microbreaks, use a moving footrest to promote foot movement, change posture more frequently. Lower leg/foot discomfort Stretching Exercises The stretching routine takes just 5 minutes to complete while covering the major muscle/joint areas. Hold each stretch for 5 seconds. Stop performing any stretch that causes pain. Remember: Breath normally during any stretching. Stretches the shoulders, chest and upper back • • With fingers interlaced behind your head, keep your elbows straight out to the side with upper body erect Pull your shoulder blades toward each other to create a feeling of tension through your upper back and shoulder blades Stretches the sides of shoulders, back of upper arms and neck • • • Hold your left arm just above your elbow with your right hand As you look over your left shoulder, gently pull your elbow toward the opposite shoulder until a stretch is felt Repeat with other arm Page 14 Stretches the back of thigh and lower back • • • Sitting, hold onto your upper left leg just above and behind the knee Gently pull your bent leg toward your chest Repeat on other side Stretches the back and chest • • • • Place hand just above the back of your hips, elbows back Gently press forward Slightly lift your breastbone upward as you hold the stretch Breathe easily Stretches the front of hip and front of thigh • • • • Begin standing with feet should width apart Bring your heel slowly toward your buttocks, until you reach the end range of your motion, or until you feel the stretch Lower the leg back down Repeat with opposite leg Stretches the lower back and buttocks • • • • Begin standing with feet shoulder width apart Bring one knee up toward your chest Lower the leg back down Repeat with opposite leg REFERENCES 1. ISO 9241, Ergonomics Requirements for Office work with Visual Display Terminals (VDTs): Part 5: Workstation Layout and Postural Requirements. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1998. 2. ISO 9241, Ergonomics Requirements for Office Work with Visual Display Terminals (VDTs): Part 6: Guidance on the Work Environment. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1999. 3. DOD-HDBK-743A; MILITARY HANDBOOK ANTHROPOMETRY OF U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL (METRIC) U.S. Army, 1991. 4. Draft ANSI/HFES 100-199x; American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations, Precanvass Version 1.0, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Santa Monica, CA, September 1996. Page 15 NOTES Ergonomic Safety Checklist School: Date: Name: Evaluator: Supervisor: Complete the following checklist and continue comments on a separate sheet if necessary. General 1. Hobbies: 2. Previous similar injuries or pain? 3. Other jobs within last 2 years? 4. Where is the pain? 5. 6. 7. 8. When did you first notice the problem? Have you received treatment in the past? Did treatment help? What is normal daily routine/tasks? Head 9. Is head held so aligned directly over shoulders? 10. Facing straight ahead? 11. Have to look up or down to see work? 12. Is work tilted to prevent head tipping? 13. Are documents directly in front? Neck 14. Cradling telephone on shoulder? Yes No N/A Comments 15. Head tipped forward or backward? 16. Computer monitor straight ahead? 17. Does employee use bi/tri-focals? Shoulders 18. Are shoulders relaxed? 19. Upper arms held next to body? 20. Long reaches for material necessary? 21. Long reaches required to operate equipment? 22. Work surface at correct height? 23. Mouse next to keyboard? Back 24. Chair provides lower back support? 25. Chair adjustable and adjusted for employee? 26. Low work surface requires bending? 27. Carry or move heavy loads? Arms and Wrists 28. Forearms, wrists and hands aligned in neutral position? 29. Keyboard and mouse at correct height and angle? 30. Arms supported by wrist rest or chair arms? 31. Arm and wrist supported while using mouse? Legs and Feet 32. Feet flat on floor? 33. Clearance for legs under work surface? 34. Does chair place pressure on under side of legs? Eyes 35. Monitor at distance of 24” to 30”? 36. Brightness and contrast controls adjusted? 37. Screen clean? 38. Reflected glare on screen? 39. Direct glare on screen? 40. Ventilation ducts directed at employee? 41. Copyholder next to, or in line with, screen? 42. Work Habits 43. Varied tasks throughout day? 44. Alternate between standing and sitting? 45. Task rotation with other employees? 46. Periodic stretch breaks taken? 47. Does employee know how to adjust work station? 48. Is work station adjusted properly? Other Comments: