Faq

G Crayfourds &
Sons Limited

107-111
Fleet Street
London
EC4A 2AB

T: 0207 936 9092
F: 0207 936 9100

Ergonomics

The Body..always has the need to move.

It is vital to exercise and move one's limbs, but how often do you move when working?
Today most people sit while they work. The ever expanding use of computers forces us to sit for long periods of time, often resulting in lesions of neck and shoulders due to static stress.

The ideal for most people is to alternate sitting, walking and standing in their work. The layout of the workplace must therefore be adapted to these fundamental requirements.

Their is no such thing as the perfect chair, but a "good" chair implies that the sitting postures can be varied with ease. A chair that can be readily adjusted in different work situations is an absolute necessity if the body is to function optimally. This makes great demands on the chair:

The controls must be simple.

The movement of the chair must resemble the body's own movements.

The seat and back of the chair must allow 100% contact with the body in all positions.

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Health Risks:

The main risks are the health problems associated with VDU work, which include:

musculo - skeletal issues (upper limb disorders)

eye strain and headaches

fatigue and stress

By ignoring the potential problems of poor or unadjusted seating, employers face having to deal with the following:

Failure to meet DSE regulations (designed to protect computer users- in force since the end of 1992)

Increased risk of criminal prosecution and/or claims for civil damages if you fail to comply

Failure to save costs by allowing increased days off sick caused by work related injury

Increased likelihood of low morale and stress

Reduced productivity and work quality

How to set up a chair:

Seat Height:
Thigh to trunk angle at 90� or slightly more to help keep the pelvis upright.

Back height:
Lumber to fit the small of back to ensure a natural "S" shape spine.

Armrests:
Touching forearms when shoulders and elbows relax at the side to avoid strain in the neck and upper limbs.

Tension:
Floating when feet are off the floor to encourage improved blood circulation and comfortable changes of posture (not too soft so you instantly recline or too hard that you can't naturally push back).

Seat depth:
Bottom at the back of the seat and a three finger gap between the front edge of the seat and behind the knees to ensure adequate thigh support but without obstructing leg movement.

How to drive a chair:
The best ergonomics chairs can't do the job for you-

try not to slouch

keep the chair unlocked most of the time

make full use of the chair movement, especially on the phone or reaching behind you

alter position when typing - try upright for short periods

move your feet in front and behind, don't stay in the 90� upright position!

make the effort to adjust any other chair you sit on around the office

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Health Risks - How to avoid them

	Be aware of what your body is telling you and take action if you are uncomfortable
	Change posture and ideally have frequent breaks from the desk
	Keep the mouse and phone as close as possible allowing arms to be parallel to the desk and relaxed thus avoiding postures which require a joint to be used for long periods of time at the end of its range of motion

	Avoid causing the upper limbs to be held in a raised position. Ideally adjust the desk and chair to suit you. If not adjust the chair and use a foot rest
	Avoid twisted asymmetrical positions to operate the keyboard when directly in front of you
	Use a sturdy document holder to present reference material closer to you
	Minimise glare on the screen by removing or controlling the light source e.g. using the window blind
	The VDU screen should be placed approximately 1 to 2 metres or arms length from your face
	The top of the screen should be approximately at horizontal line of sight. Try placing the lap tops on a forward sloping surfacr to raise the screen
	Rest eyes at infinity when not looking at the screen (i.e. at the end of the office or window)
	If writing or reading predominantly place material on a forward sloping surface of 10 to 20�
	Re-arrange items on you desk in order of frequency, function, importance or sequence
	Tidy trailing cables or other obstructions around your desk
	Remove or control excessive noise or sources of heat and cold
	If systems persist seek advice

EEC Directives -	Key areas for you to work on:

1. Sitting Comfortably?

E.C.Directive States: The work chair shall be stable and allow the operator or user easy freedom of movement and a comfortable position The seat shall be adjustable in height The seat back shall be adjustable in both height and tilt.		What this means: Chairs should be designed to give users more support and greater freedom of movement to alleviate muscle and back fatigue. It is widely accepted that improved seating habits coupled with well designed chairs will considerably reduce the incidence of back problems and enhance productivity at work. Users should also be aware of how to operate the adjustments on their chair.

2. Put your Feet Up!!

E.C.Directive States: A footrest shall be made available to any operator or user who wishes one.		What this means: Footrests are required specifically for users who are below average height (approx. 5` 2") and whose feet do not touch the floor when seated. They ensure that users are able to place their feet squarely and firmly on a stable surface, reducing backstrain and circulation problems in the legs. Footrests improve seated posture at any workstation and increase comfort and productivity.

3. Now Let Your Wrists Rest

E.C.Directive States: The keyboard shall be tiltable and separate from the screen so as to allow the operator or user to find a comfortable working position avoiding fatigue in the arms or hands. The space in front of the keyboard shall be sufficient to provide support for the hands and arms of the operator or user.		What this means: With modern keyboards users stroke the keys with a flat hand action. Hands should be held flat or in a neutral position, and the keyboard should be 6 to 9 inches away from the edge of the desk in order to support the wrists when you are not keying. Wrist rests support the hands and arms of users for improved comfort and productivity, and cushion wrists against repeated jarring on hard desk surfaces.

4. Don't Look Down

E.C.Directive states: The screen must swivel and tilt easily and freely to suit the needs of the operator or user It shall be possible to use a separate base for the screen or an adjustable table		What this means: This ensures that there is sufficient flexibility of movement for the user to be able to adjust to a convenient position. The ideal height for a screen is at eye level to avoid neck movement and strain.

E.C.Directive states: The document holder shall be stable and adjustable and shall be positioned to minimise uncomfortable head and eye movements		What this means: The document holder or copyholder should be at eye level so that only the eyes move - just like looking in a driving mirror.

5. Eyestrain? Headaches? Screen filter!

E.C. Directive States: The brightness and contrast between the characters and the background shall be easily adjustable by the operator or the user and also be easily adjusted to ambient conditions. The screen shall be free of reflective glare and reflections liable to cause discomfort to the operator or user		What this means: Computer terminals sited close to windows or lights often pose glare problems, which can lead to eyestrains, headaches and lost productivity. The first task is to ensure the workstation layout minimises problems and that the user is trained to adjust screen controls. Screen Filters will significantly cut down glare and reflection, and help increase contrast between colours on the screen to make the image clearer.

E.C. Directive states: All radiation with the exception of the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum shall be reduced to negligible levels. (Computer terminals emit ELFNLF (Extremely low frequency / very low frequency) E-field radiation).		What this means: Anti-radiation filters are of benefit where the user is concerned about radiation, although there is still much debate about the effects of radiation from screens. Nothing has yet been proved about whether the radiation emitted is of concern, but it is still being researched. Anti-radiation filters are also anti-static, and reduce dust build-up.

Do All Of This And DO IT NOW! All new workstations after 1st January 1993 must comply. All Workstations must comply by December 1996. E.C. Directive 90/270/EEC is enforced in the UK by the Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, and is policed by HM FACTORY INSPECTORS Fines of up to �20,000 can be imposed if you are not complying NOW		Action necessary to ensure that you comply with the new law: Make sure that adequate training is available to increase awareness of practices that will increase comfort and safety in the workplace. Help users to understand: Risks from VDU work How to adjust furniture to avoid risks Avoid reflection and glare on the screen Where to find help Obtain the right products by the 31st December 1996 deadline Importance of good posture and changing position Organising the workplace to avoid awkward or repeated stretching movements Organising work for activity changes or breaks

The Body..always has the need to move.

Health Risks:

How to set up a chair:

Health Risks - How to avoid them

EEC Directives -