Ergonomics looks at what kind of work you do, what tools you use and your whole job environment. The aim is to find the best fit between you and your job conditions. Examples of ergonomic changes to your work might include
- Adjusting the position of your computer keyboard to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome
- Being sure that the height of your desk chair allows your feet to rest flat on floor
- Learning the right way to lift heavy objects to prevent back injuries
- Using handle coatings or special gloves to suppress vibrations from power tools
No matter what the job is, the goal is to make sure that you are safe, comfortable, and less prone to work-related injuries.
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Ergonomics at Work
(National Institutes of Health, Office of Research Services, Division of Safety) - http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/ergonomics_home.htm
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Repetitive Motion Disorders(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/repetitive_motion/repetitive_motion.htm
- Ergonomics: Occupational Therapy in the Workplace(American Occupational Therapy Association) - http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Work/Ergonomics/35176.aspx
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Preventing Back Pain at Work and at Home(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00175
Also available in Spanish http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00467
- Eyestrain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/eyestrain/DS01084/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Laboratory Ergonomics(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/Ergonomics/labergo.htm
- Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - Large PDF file - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-122/
- Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - Large PDF file - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-164/pdfs/2004-164.pdf
- Wrist/Palm Supports(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/components_wrist_rests.html
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Cumulative Trauma Disorders(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Cumulative+Trauma+Disorders%22
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Ergonomically designed kneeling chairs are they worth it? : Comparison... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18810008&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Ergonomics standards: an overview. Know your part in establishing programs... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18698286&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: The split keyboard: an ergonomics success story. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18689043&tool=MedlinePlus
- Ergonomics -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=human+engineering[majr]+AND+(ergonomic[ti]+OR+ergonomics[ti]+OR+ergonomical[ti]+OR+ergonomically[ti])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration - http://www.osha.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/spanish/
- Ergonomics(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html
- Repetitive Motion Results in Longest Work Absences(Bureau of Labor Statistics) - http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2004/mar/wk5/art02.htm
- Computer-Related Repetitive Stress Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/ergonomics.html
- Computers Can Be a Real Pain(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/k_ergonomics.html
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Repetitive Stress Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/exercise/safety/rsi.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/rsi_esp.html
- Back Pain - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/backpain.html
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carpaltunnelsyndrome.html
- Occupational Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/occupationalhealth.html
- Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
- Safety Issues - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/safetyissues.html
- Wellness and Lifestyle - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/wellnessandlifestyle.html