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March / April 2006

May 2006 CIS Onsite Presentation Schedule

You're invited to attend any of the following
CISonsite presentations:

Date	Topic	Location	Sponsor	For More Information
May 10, 2006	*Office Ergonomics*	Hillside , IL	Illinois Safety Council	www.ilsafetycouncil.org
May 10, 2006	*Ergonomics:* A Common Sense Approach	Lexington , KY	KY Governor's Safety and Health Conference	http://www.kshn.net
May 11, 2006	*Early Intervention Programs*	Lexington , KY	KY Governor's Safety and Health Conference	http://www.kshn.net
May 11, 2006	*A Comprehensive Approach to Injury Prevention*	Lexington , KY	KY Governor's Safety and Health Conference	http://www.kshn.net
May 23, 2006	*Early Intervention Programs*	Milwaukee , WI	VPPPA Region V	http://www.vpppa.org/chapters
May 24, 2006	*Post-Offer Screens:* Minimizing Injuries Amongst New Hires	Milwaukee , WI	VPPPA Region V	http://www.vpppa.org/chapters

Office Ergonomics:

Workstation Design vs. Work Habits

When most of us hear the term "Office Ergonomics" we tend to think of expensive desk chairs and funky keyboards. Not surprisingly, there's a bit more to it than that.

There are two main factors to consider when addressing office ergonomics: Workstation Design and Work Habits . Let's start first with Workstation Design .

A good workstation design will promote (although, not guarantee) good work habits and postures, thus minimizing your chances of developing a musculoskeletal problem. Use the following guidelines when setting up your workstation:

Monitor: directly in front of you, as far away as possible while still being able to read it, and at least 15° below horizontal eye level.
Keyboard: between monitor and you, positioned so the wrist is in a "neutral" (or straight) position. Use wrist rests for pauses in keying only.
Mouse: next to keyboard and as close to you as possible.
Chairs: in front of keyboard and monitor. Height should be adjusted so your feet rest on the floor or footrest and the monitor/keyboard are at correct heights. The curve "in" at the low back should be supported and seat back should recline 100° to 130°.

The second, and most important factor to consider when addressing office ergonomics, is Work Habits . Good work habits are far more effective at reducing ergonomic injuries than good workstation design alone. It's really our work habits that determine how our bodies tolerate work day after day, week after week, year after year. If we have poor work habits, odds are good that we'll end up with some degree of discomfort or pain with work. For example, look at the picture below.

This person has a great workstation design. What she lacks are good work habits. Good work habits include the following:

Proper Posture: sit back in your chair and keep your ears over your shoulders and your shoulders over your hips. Avoid the "turtle" look (head forward of your body).
Mix it Up: break-up sustained work activities by alternating job tasks or by doing things a different way.
Minimize Your Personal Risk Factors for Injury: give up smoking, eat well, get in shape, and reduce stress.
Take Micro-Breaks: every 30 to 60 minutes stand up, do some stretches, adjust your chair. This will promote blood flow to your working tissues and minimize fatigue and chance of injury.

By making the effort to use good work habits, you will have more energy, be more productive, and significantly decrease your chance of injury.

For more detailed information on how to minimize ergonomic injuries in your workplace, contact CISonsite at www.cisonsite.com or call 866-298-1312.

Job Analysis Tip #3:

Repetitive Motion Strains

Whether we spend hours a day on a computer or on a production line, many of us are exposed to repetitive motions - repeating the same cycle of motions, over and over again for extended periods of time. As a result, we are putting ourselves at risk for a repetitive strain injury (RSI), such as carpel tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. An RSI is usually caused by a mixture of bad ergonomics, poor posture, stress, and repetitive motion.

So, besides winning the lottery or quitting our jobs, what can we do to minimize the likelihood of developing an RSI? Fortunately, we can do a lot.

Ergonomics: Make sure your workstation is set up in such a way that it encourages good posture and work habits. Keep commonly used things close to avoid reaching and bending. If you sit most of your day, use a chair with good support. If you stand, use an anti-fatigue mat and possibly a sit-stand stool. Minimize grip and pinch forces in whatever way possible. Eliminate redundant motions. Consult your safety professional or ergonomic consultant for additional ideas.
Reduce Exposure to Repetitive Motions: Job rotation or job task rotation are powerful tools that cost little to nothing to implement. Rotating job positions or job tasks allows you to use different muscles while others get a chance to rest and recover. If rotation is not feasible, then find another way to do the same job: use a different hand, use the keyboard rather than the mouse, etc.
Check Your Posture: Don't slouch - sit or stand up straight, keeping your ears over your shoulders. If you need to look down, tip your head down on an upright neck, rather than bend your head down. Good posture promotes good blood flow - a critical factor in preventing an RSI.
Take Micro-Breaks: Every 30-60 minutes take a few seconds to change position and do a few quick stretches to the working muscles (such as those pictured here). These stretches will go a long way in promoting blood flow to the working tissues and in minimizing fatigue.

Minimize Stress: Stress causes increased muscle tension which in turn compromises blood flow to the working body. When this happens, an RSI can result. You can reduce stress by exercising regularly, stretching, eating well, and getting enough sleep.

While most of us can't eliminate repetitive motion from our lives, we can control its potentially damaging effects by following these guidelines. For more information on how to minimize repetitive strain injuries in your workplace, contact CISonsite at www.cisonsite.com or call 866-298-1312.

Workplace Electrical Safety Tips

In honor of National Electrical Safety Month , here are some tips for preventative electrical maintenance in the work environment.

An important way to reduce electrical shock accidents is to institute and follow established procedures for preventive maintenance. This is the responsibility of the employer, employee and owner - establishing a close working relationship to reduce and eliminate electrical accidents.

Inspect work area for electrical hazards daily, such as:
- flickering lights
- warm switches or receptacles
- burning odors
- loose connections
- frayed, cracked or broken wires
Never ignore electrical problems.
Choose proper cords and connectors for the job.
Make sure any portable cord used to power any type of light and/or heavy-duty industrial equipment is suitable for the equipment - not only gauge size but also flexibility, strength and ability to withstand any chemicals that may be present.
All testing equipment should be properly calibrated.
Make sure the extension cord thickness is at least as big as the electrical cord for the tool.
Read and follow all equipment operating instructions for proper use.
Leave equipment repairs and adjustment to authorized personnel.
Sticking switches on electrical saws should be replaced at once. After the switch is released, always maintain control of the saw until the blade has stopped.
Never operate an electric saw while wearing loose clothing such as an unbuttoned jacket or long, floppy sleeves.
Follow required lock-out/tag-out procedures.
Turn off equipment when finished with job.
Disconnect energy sources.
Tag out the disconnected power.
Release stored energy to make sure no power is getting to the equipment.
Always clean up spills on the floors.
When portable cords are made up, take special care to make certain that the circuit and grounding conductors are not interchanged.
Keep work areas clean and dry. Cluttered work areas and benches invite accidents and injuries.
Good housekeeping and a well-planned layout of temporary wiring will reduce the dangers of fire and shock hazard.

Special thanks to SafeElectricity for providing these workplace electrical safety tips. For more information on SafeElectricity, visit their website at www.safeelectricity.org .

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