Training & Educational Seminars

Office ERGO 2.0 : Office Ergonomics Train-the-Trainer

Course time: 6-8 hours

The following agenda outlines one-day train-the-trainer course in office ergonomics. A class size of 15 attendees is recommended.

Course Goals and Objectives

The Office Ergonomics course has been designed to promote the awareness and understanding of the ergonomics principles of the office environment. The course will provide the attendees with the fundamental knowledge and skills to identify risk factors, workstation deficiencies and make the changes necessary for correction. The course will also provide the office staff with the information necessary to optimize their individual workstations and develop improved work methods. The course includes ‘hands-on’ train-the-trainer training with actual workstations in the work environment and interaction with employees.

Skill Verification (Optional):

A pre-test and post-test may be administered to each attendee. The question-naires will test the attendees’ knowledge regarding key ergonomic information. The pre-test will measure the attendees’ baseline knowledge. The post-test will measure the attendees newly acquired knowledge as a result of the course.

Curriculum: Office ERGO 2.0

Introduction to Ergonomics

• Definition of Terms, Historical Perspective
• The Science of Ergonomics/Biomechanics
• Trends and Statistics Associated with VDT usage

Legislation, Regulation, Standards and Guidelines

• Current and Proposed Government and Professional Organization Reports Outlining the VDT Workstation Requirements.
• A summary of the Requirements are Discussed

Form and Function of the Human Body

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Body (Muscles, Bones, Ligaments, Tendons, Nerves)
• Biomechanics of the Wrist & Upper Extremities
• Median Nerve and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Transverse Carpal Ligament
• Commonly occurring CTDs (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, Tenosynovitis)
• Biomechanics of the Spine
• Static Postures and How They Affect the Spine
• Low Back Pain (L5/S1)
• Common CTDs of the Spine

Ergonomic Issues in the Office

• Repetition
• Posture
• Force
• Static Postures (back, neck, legs)
• Contact Stress
• Torque and Twisting
• Visual Requirements
• Lighting/Glare
• Seating
• Workstation Heights & Layout
• Common Problems & Solutions

Solutions that WORK Ergonomically

• Organizing the Work Requirements
• Understanding the Employee Anthropometry
• When it is Adjustable, How to Adjust It and Why
• When it is NOT adjustable, HOW to RETROFIT the workstation
• Accessories that are LOW COST

Assessing Office Ergonomics

• Orientation and Familiarization with Workstation Assessment Forms
• Personal Data Form
• Task Classification Form
• Employee Comfort Survey
• Workstation Equipment Survey: Identifying Possible Sources of Musculoskeletal Stress
• Equipment Feature Checklist: Specific information Regarding Chair, Workstation, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Secondary accessories
• Workstation Sketch
• Accessory Inventory: Checklist to Organize Workstation Accessories (Buyer’s Guide)
• Application on Sample Workstation

Individual Workstation Assessments (Approximately 20 min. at each workstation)

• Evaluate job requirements and perform workstation adjustments
• Interact with individual employees at their workstations
• Perform one-on-one employee training on workstation adjustments and ergonomic issues

Discussion of Findings and Recommendations

Questions and Answers