The Source Line Inc.

Ergonomics


	Computer Vision Syndrome Computer vision syndrome (CVS) plagues over 10 million VDT (visual display terminals, aka CRT, cathode ray tube) users. A recent report in the Journal of The American Optometric Association said that users suffer from a condition that includes eyestrain, blurred vision and sustained headaches. Poor lighting and glare are the leading causes according to Dr. James F. Sheedy of UCLA's VDT eye client. The loss of productivity in the office is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. From Officeinsight

	Development of Ergonomic Standard Delayed OSHA now has more time to work on an ergonomic standard, thanks to Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX), who introduced a rider to the proposal for OSHA's fiscal year '98 house budget. The rider prevents OSHA from issuing a standard until September 30, fiscal year '98, and prevents inspectors from using agency ergonomics guidelines to cite employees. The legislative restrictions were supported by Dave Obey (D-WI) and John Edward Porter (R-IL), and brokered by Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Bob Livingston (R- LA). Supporters of an ergonomic standard consider this extra time a victory; OSHA would not have issued a proposal in the next year anyway. Based on a report from Safety Currents

	Document On Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) In The Workplace There are numerous questions about work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). A document is now available that contains extensive research on this topic. Now in its second printing, Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors: A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back is said to provide the most comprehensive compilation of the epidemiologic research on the relation between selected MSDs and exposure to physical factors at work. In the Forward section of the document, Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H. Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states that a review of the literature lead NIOSH to conclude that credible epidemiologic research shows a consistent relationship between MSDs and certain physical factors, especially at higher exposure levels. For detailed information about this document, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/ergosci1.html.

	AIHA Supports Ergonomics Standards, Funding For Research According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), work-related ergonomics problems should be controlled by design efforts and "an open process leading to the development of regulations, legislation, and standards." Rather than using such items as back supports or wrist splints/braces, the focus should be on designing jobs, equipment, products, workplaces and practices that would control the problems. AIHA supports continued funding, private and governmental, for ergonomics research. Based on a report from Safety Currents

	An Ergonomics Update From OSHA Here are some ergonomics developments about which acting OSHA administrator Greg Watchman commented in a recent interview: According to a document recently issued by NIOSH, repetitive stress injuries represent the nation's biggest occupational health and safety problem, and there is a strong link between repetitive stress injuries and working conditions. Before judging the specific requirements in the California ergonomics standard, OSHA will wait to see its "real-life" impact. OSHA will closely study the ANSI Z365 ergonomics standard if ANSI adopts it as a final voluntary standard. OSHA has learned some lessons from its original attempt to set ergonomics standards. "We need to do a better job communicating the scope of the problem and the fact that effective solutions exist." The agency will develop an ergonomics standard in a careful, deliberate manner. There is no official deadline, and a proposal will not be forthcoming this calendar year. On July 14, Dr. David Cochran, began work heading up OSHA's ergonomics standards-writing team. He is an expert at the University of Nebraska, and came to OSHA under an inter-governmental agreement with the state of Nebraska, where he is a state employee. He was chosen because he has real-world experience implementing ergonomic solutions in the workplace, and because he has the ability to listen to all viewpoints. The approach to setting standards will be different. Employers will be allowed to come up with their own solutions, rather than having to use prescriptive standards. Employers will have help dealing with the flexibility of a performance-oriented standard—technical assistance manuals, fact sheets, model programs, free computerized compliance advisor programs, and OSHA consultation services will all be available. Standards-setting now will be aimed at industries where ergonomics hazards are well-known and where solutions have been documented to reduce injuries. Based on a report from Safety Currents

	$5.3 Million Repetitive Stress Award Overturned Last December's $5.3 million jury verdict against Digital Equipment Corp. for keyboard repetitive stress injury has been overturned. Federal District Judge Jack Weinstein ordered a new trial on the basis of new evidence which indicated that the injury was due to an unrelated neck injury. The award had been the largest, and indeed the first, jury decision in favor of a plaintiff, reported an article in the New York Times. The concurrent jury award of $274,000 against Digital for keyboard related injury was affirmed, thus leaving a favorable precedent for claims against manufacturers for failure to disclose known keyboard risks. The prior verdict was based, in part, on the failure of Digital to warn users of the possibility of injury which it was aware of because of complaints from its own employees. According to the New York Times article, Michael Cerussi, Jr., a lawyer for IBM, said that the Digital case was the first of the 14 keyboard cases which have been decided by a jury that have produced a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs. Digital said it will appeal the award left standing, while plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling in favor of Digital. From the Daily Regulatory Reporter

	Report Challenges OSHA's Ergonomics Requirements The American Trucking Association (ATA) has released a report stating that OSHA underestimated compliance costs of a draft ergonomics proposal that was circulated among stakeholders in March 1995. The OSHA proposal was aimed at 2.6 million workplaces where employees were likely to be exposed to "signal risk factors" for musculoskeletal disorders. ATA's report, based on analysis by the independent research group National Economic Research Associates (NERA), disagrees with OSHA's original estimate that the draft proposal's requirements would cost the trucking industry about $257 million. NERA insists that industry expense could reach $6.5 billion, which is 25 times OSHA's estimate. And results of an industry survey conducted by NERA indicate that all trucking firms would be covered under the draft standard; OSHA's estimate was that only about 40 percent would be affected. The NERA report is titled Ergonomics and Economics: The Impact of OSHA's Proposed Ergonomic Standard on the U.S. Trucking Industry. According to OSHA spokesman Stephen Gaskill, OSHA will reevaluate available ergonomics data before submitting a formal proposal. Based on a report in Ergonomics News

	Ergonomics Forum On The World Wide Web American Computer Optics (ACO) today announced a new on-line forum that provides ergonomic technical advisors and topical experts a home through which to find live, real- time with colleagues, students, or people with a general interest in Ergonomics on the Internet. http://www.ergoforum.com From the Daily Regulatory Reporter

	Seating Solutions Guide Haworth, Inc. has published a guide to seating solutions entitled "The CEO Seating Guide." Among other things, it explains how appropriate seating can reduce expensive Repetitive Stress Injuries. For a free copy, call 800-344-2600. From Officeinsight

	NIOSH Study On Keyboard Design Results of an exploratory study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) suggest that computer keyboard design is not a significant factor for user comfort. Over a two-day period, test subjects reported no significant differences between the levels of discomfort and fatigue they experienced when using conventional video display terminal keyboards and three alternative keyboard designs, the study found. In all cases, reported levels of discomfort and fatigue were low. Additional research is needed to determine whether alternative keyboard designs have benefits for users over longer periods, or for workers who previously have reported symptoms of discomfort or fatigue, NIOSH said. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/keyboard.html From the Daily Regulatory Reporter

	Ergonomics and Productivity Ergonomics programs can boost quality and productivity, according to the Joyce Institute, a unit of Arthur D. Little specializing in ergonomics consulting. A survey of 45 organizations conducted by the institute and reported in A.D. Little's quarterly management journal Prism, reveals that 70 percent of respondents increased productivity and 30 percent increased product quality after implementing an ergonomics program. Three-quarters reduced workers' compensation or medical costs. Contact Marilyn Joyce in Seattle at 201-441-6745 for further information or a copy of the article.

	SOHO Safety Check Sure, you've got all sorts of sophisticated ergonomic furniture in the office. But now you're working at home. Does that furniture support you as well as the furniture in your company office? Just in case it doesn't, Steelcase has prepared a checklist for small offices/home offices to help you be as safe at home as you are in the company office. Vision Computer monitor and source documents at or slightly below horizontal line of sight and 20 to 24 inches from your eyes Monitor and documents are equidistant from your eyes You shift focus occasionally to distant objects to rest your eyes Your vision is checked annually Posture Support Chair seat height adjusts so feet are firmly on the floor or a footrest Chair seat depth is short enough to allow full contact with the backrest Tension on the chair's backrest adjusts to allow a reclined posture with support Your weight is evenly distributed when seated If you work at the computer more than four hours daily, there are armrests that adjust inward to support forearms and upper body Head and shoulders are relaxed Neck is slightly bent when viewing the monitor Arms hang naturally at your sides when you work Forearms are roughly parallel to floor when keying or pointing Wrists are not bent when keying or using a pointing device NOTE: For many workers, a worksurface height of 26 to 28" is ideal for achieving these conditions. An adjustable worksurface encourages posture changes to relieve discomfort, particularly if you spend more than four hours daily at a computer. Task Support Sufficient worksurface area to have pointing device at same level as keyboard and support monitor, source documents, reference materials and writing tasks Adequate light for reading source documents without glare on the monitor Thirty to sixty second breaks every half hour Monitor and keyboard aligned with chair Safety Instructions for furniture adjustment are provided Cords and wires pose no tripping hazard Furniture does not block halls or doorways Heavy objects are stored on lower shelves