DPG Ergonomics
If you’re reading this with slouched shoulders and in a hunched position beware, your posture could one day lead to a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). RSI is the name given to a group of injuries which primarily affect the tendons, muscles and nerves of the neck and upper limbs. It’s a collective term and can also be known as Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD). Symptoms of RSI include swelling, aches, pains, numbness, tingling, weakness and cramps and conditions can be caused by a combination of overuse and repetition, poor or static posture and often insufficient recovery time; stress can often be a factor too.
The problem is increasing primarily through the intense use of computers, mouse and keyboard usage, compounded by the sedentary nature of many jobs. However, RSI is preventable and treatable. This is where we come in. We understand how to reduce or prevent RSI by using our unrivalled experience to design ergonomically successful products.
Don’t be lulled into thinking this is a rare complaint
- 213,000 people in work had a musculoskeletal upper limb or neck disorder that was caused or made worse by work in 2007/08. (Health & Safety Executive)
- 81,000 were new cases, compared with a similar figure of 87,000 people in 2001/02. (Health & Safety Executive)
- Only 12.5 per cent of employers provide rehabilitation services. (ABI 2005)
- 40 per cent of workers felt RSI was a safety concern.
- An estimated 4.7 million working days were lost, each person on average taking 13 days off sick, costing the UK economy well over £300 million in lost working time alone.
Why it’s so important to us
Posture
- Legs and back - chairs should be adjusted so that the user’s thighs are parallel to the floor with even support across the thighs, the lower back or lumbar region should be firmly supported by the chair or with the aid of a cushion.
- Feet - when sat correctly the user’s feet should be able to rest flat on the floor, if this is not possible then the employer should provide a footrest.
- Shoulders - the user’s shoulders should be relaxed and in a neutral position as they type with elbows close in and at 90 degrees to the body.
- Hands and wrists - users should keep wrists straight and in a neutral position, gel supports may help with this. Elbows should not be below the keyboard height and chair arms, if supplied and adjusted correctly, can help provide support.
The Workstation
Correctly adjusted workstations can have a significant impact on reducing incidences of RSI.
- Some desks are height adjustable, if users are above or below average heights then adjustment should be considered, and adequate clearance needs to be provided for users to easily move their legs under the desks.
- Computer screen heights should be adjusted so that users eyes look down from an angle of around 15 to 20 degrees (slightly below eye level). Monitor arms can help facilitate this easily and are ideal for multi-user workstations such as call centres or hot-desking areas.
- Screens should also be adjusted to appropriate viewing angles to minimise glare and reflections.
- Keyboard and mice should be positioned in such a way that the user doesn’t stretch and gel supports for both can ensure wrists stay in the correct position.
- If a user undertakes a lot of time reading from source documents or copy typing then they should be provided with a document holder which is best placed beside the screen.
The Computer Interface
There are a number of adjustable computer settings and tools which can help computer users be less susceptible to RSI.
- By slowing the on-screen mouse movement, by adjusting the settings of the computer, muscle tension can be reduced in the user’s mouse hand. Reducing the amount of clicks needed for a task, e.g. from a double click to a single can also help.
- Ideally users should avoid using the mouse as much as possible by using keyboard shortcuts or arrow keys to move the cursor pointer.
- Predictive text and auto-correct features can reduce the need for mouse-work.
- In certain cases for some users it may be pertinent to replace a standard keyboard or mouse with an ergonomically designed one.
- Computer users should also know how to adjust the brightness and contrast of their screens to help reduce eye strain.
Movement
Because RSI tends to affect people who spend long periods in the same position it is important to let staff or employees have appropriate breaks. Regular, shorter breaks tend to be more effective than one long break, and employees should try and stretch key muscle groups such as shoulders and arms. The eyes should also be rested regularly either by moving away from the desk area or by reading printed material.
