Ergonomics Final Exam
What is the two illuminance measurements used?
1 foot candle= 10 lux, 1 foot lambert= 3.4 candela/m^2
What is the Easy Reach Zone
16"-18"
What is the eye's diameter?
2.5 cm
What is the Maximum Reach Zone
26"-34"
What is the visible light range for color vision? (in NMs)
380nm-760nm
What could prevent cold stress?
Acclimatization, warm liquids, well balanced diet, proper clothing, control measures
What are some ways to prevent heat stress?
Adjusting work schedules, alternating work with breaks, monitoring workers for symptoms, Train employees to look for symptoms, drinking fluids and electrolytes
What else can factor into heat stress?
Age, weight, fitness, alcohol/drug use, acclimization
What are the four WBGT parameters?
Air temperature, Mean radiant temperature, Air Speed, Absolute Humidity
What can a Power Grip do?
Allows neutral posture
What is thermoregulation?
Body's attempt to maintain temperature of 98.6°F
What is the definition of metabolic heat?
By product of the body's activity
What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
CTS symptoms across the ulnar nerve from the elbow
What does CTS stand for?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is one common nerve disorder?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Where should the mouse be located?
Close to the keyboard
What are the stresses caused by HAVS?
Cold, vibration, static muscle effort, postures
What is organizational analysis?
Company level issues such as staffing, work schedules, overtime
What part of the eye doesn't operate in low illumination?
Cones
What are the causes of CTS?
Constant firm gripping, frequency of repetition, Hand/Wrist use against resistance, strong vibration exposure
What industries is cold stress common in?
Construction, freezer plants, meat packing houses, cold storage
What is the eye's structure? (made up of)
Cornea, pupil, retina, rods, cones
What is contrast?
Difference in illuminance between two adjacent objects
Where should our keyboard be placed?
Directly in front of monitor
Where should our monitor(s) be placed?
Directly in front of us or have edges touch at an angle
Why are upper extremities vulnerable?
Due to soft tissue and constant use of arms and hands
What is workstation analysis?
Examines the physical components of a workstation
What is environmental analysis?
Examines workstation lighting, glare, temperature, proximity to background noise
What is fatigue?
Feelings of tiredness, reduction in energy, increased effort to perform desired tasks
What are the upper extremities?
Fingers, hand, arm, wrist, shoulder
What are the CTD causative factors?
Force, repetition, posture, no rest
What is task analysis?
Gathering of information about how a specific worker does their job
What are heat stress engineering controls?
General ventilation, AC, convection, insulation
What is Pinch Grip?
Grip using thumb and index finger
What does HAVS stand for?
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
What are the five heat disorders and health effects?
Heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat stroke, heat syncope, heat rash
What is the definition of calorie?
Heat required to raise 1 gram of water 1°C
What are the risk factors for upper extremity CTDs?
High hand force, awkward postures, PPE, pinch grip, extreme temperatures
What is a reach zone?
How far one can reach without straining their body
What causes far-sightedness? (close objects appear blurry)
Hyperopia
What are the five cold disorders?
Hypothermia, HAVS, frostbite, trenchfoot
What is visible and not visible in low illumination?
Large letters are visible; color coding is not
What is blue light?
Light in the form of wavelengths that emit color visible by the human eye
What is acclimatization in hot environments?
Long term changes in physiological mechanisms, enables us to work in hot environments
What is bursitis?
Loss of synovial fluid and friction
What is synovial fluid?
Lubricant that nourishes the joints
What makes a great office chair?
Lumbar support, adjustable height, tilt, and seat, padded adjustable and removable arms, waterfall front edge, easy to reach controls
Who needs office ergonomics training?
Management, supervisors, committee members, employees, medical providers
What is the definition of heat?
Measure of energy in terms of quantity
What causes near-sightedness? (distant objects appear blurry)
Myopia
What are the eye's refractive errors?
Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, Presbyopia
What are the office sitting positions?
Neutral, upright, declined, reclined
What is the definition of evaporative cooling?
Occurs when sweat evaporates from skin
What are the three shift work solutions?
One odd shift, permanent shift assignments, "shift-pause-shift"
Where is the ulna nerve located?
Pinkie side of hand
What does the circadian rhythm naturally do?
Prepares body for work during the day and sleep at night
What are the best night shift scheduling practices?
Provide opportunity to rest, end night shifts at adequate time, limit # of consecutive night shifts, allow naps
When is special purpose lighting used?
Quality control, inspection, edge lighting, polarized light
What is the acronym of colors visible to us?
ROYGBIV
What does REBA stand for?
Rapid Entire Body Assessment
What does RULA stand for?
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment
What causes WMSDs in office work?
Repetition, static loading/sustained exertions, awkward postures, mechanical contact stress, forces
What are fatigue risk factors? (only need to know about half for exam)
Shift work, high risk hours, demanding jobs, long shifts, long weeks, sleep loss, no rest breaks, quick shift returns, long commutes
What are the causes of workplace fatigue?
Sleep loss, time of day, time on tasks
What are the results of workplace fatigue?
Slowed reaction time, trouble remembering, difficulty clearly communicating, falling asleep on job
What are bursa sacs?
Small, flat, fluid filled sac lined with the synovial membrane
What are some treatments for CTS?
Steroids, wrist braces, exposure reduction, surgery
What is acclimation in hot environments?
Sweating in response to temperature
What is Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome?
Swelling of tendon sheaths where ulnar enters the wrist
What is DeQuervain's Stenosing Tendonitis?
Tendonitis of the thumb, typically at the base
What are three common tendon disorders?
Tendonitis, tenosynovitis, epicondylitis
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The compression of the median nerve caused by swelling tissue that results in numbness and pain of hand
What is one common neurovascular disorder?
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Where is the radial nerve located?
Thumb side of hand
What is the goal of office ergonomics?
To make work safe, more productive, and cost efficient by reducing the risk, number, and severity of workplace MSDs
What are heat stress administrative controls?
Training, scheduling work during cool parts of day, reduce physical demands, job pacing/rotation
What is the definition of conduction?
Transfer of heat between materials that contact each other
What is the definition of convection?
Transfer of heat in a moving liquid
What is the definition of radiation?
Transfer of heat through space
What is the humerus?
Upper arm bone
What causes Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome?
Use of pad of hand and thumb as a hammer
How can we reduce computer glare?
Use of window shades, management of overhead lights, desk positioning
How is Light and Dark Adaption achieved?
Via a photo chemical process
What are the risk factors of CTS?
Vibrations, extreme temperatures, gloves, grip types, aging
What is used to measure heat stress?
Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WGBT)
What is cold stress?
When body is unable to maintain normal temperature
What is shift work?
Work schedule regularly outside of traditional, eight hour daily, daytime schedule
What are three main causes of heat stress?
Working in hot environments, humidity, PPE/clothing
