Repetitive Strain Injuries and Office Ergonomics

Course Description

The purpose of this 3-day course is to provide participants with required knowledge and skills to enable them to identify symptoms and causes of work-related upper limbs disorders. Throughout the course, participants would be able to achieve a better understanding of office ergonomic setup and be able to evaluate and adjust their own workstations accordingly.

• Despite common beliefs that the office provides a safe environment in which to work, many hazards exist which cause thousands of injuries and health problems each year among office workers. Since one-third of the work force is in offices, even low rates of work-related injuries and illnesses can have an immense impact on employee safety and health.
• The delivery will be done using a blended learning approach using a variety of training methods including role playing, individual activities, group discussions and activities, relevant case studies to keep trainees always engaged.
• The course examines various approaches and techniques to identify repetitive strain injuries symptoms and causes
• There will be a focus is on ergonomic workstation setup as it’s one of the root causes of such injuries.
• Each candidate using a checklist provided by the trainer would carry out a practical application of workstation evaluation.

Completed checklists in addition to completed multiple-choice questions would be assessed to verify competence.

Course Objective

By the end of this training program, participants would be able to

• Know the and understand the causes of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or upper limbs disorders
• Know the symptoms of Repetitive strain/motion injuries
• Have a better understanding of ergonomic principles.
• Outline exercises designed to reduce the risk of injury.
• Identify different symptoms and causes of discomfort.
• Conduct an evaluation and adjustment of ?their own workstation.
• Gain the necessary skills and knowledge to identify a repetitive strain injury at its early stages
• Know of Behavioral and environmental factors leading to such injuries
• Know about types of equipment and ergonomic accessories effective in reducing the risk of injury
• Do exercises and stretches that can help to prevent or relieve RSI
• Learn practical and realistic prevention methods?
• Know the causes, consequences, and related costs of occupational stress.

Target Audience

All employees

Course Outline

The course will cover the following topics:

• Causes of RSIs
  • Forceful or awkward grip
  • Improper use of equipment
  • Rapid repetitive movements
  • Lack of job variation
  • Inadequate rest breaks
  • Poor tool and equipment design
  • An increase in workload or/hours
  • Vibration
  • Excessive force
  • Awkward work positions
  • Forceful or awkward grip
  • Improper use of equipment
  • Rapid repetitive movements
• Stages of Pain
  • Early
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
• Symptoms of RSIs
  • Lower back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain and injuries
  • Loss of sensation
  • Swelling around the wrist/hand
  • Headaches
  • Eye discomfort and strain
  • Muscle weakness, fatigue and muscle spasm
  • Joint restrictions and loss of movement
  • Tennis elbow
  • Ganglion
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Risk Factors
  • Physical
    • Force
    • Posture
    • Frequency and duration
  • Psychological
    • Cognitive (mental effort)
    • Psychosocial
    • Social Interactions at Work
    • Organizational (Work Schedules – Workloads and Overtime)
  • Environment
    • Noise Levels
    • Noise Reduction
    • Temperature & Humidity
    • Increasing Comfort
    • Lighting (Eyestrain – Preventing Vision Problems)
• Office Ergonomics
• What is Ergonomics?
• Adjusting your Work station
• Sitting practices
  • Wrist
  • Elbows
  • Shoulders
  • Neck
  • Lower back
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Feet
• Work Surface
• Keyboard and Mouse
  • Monitor
    • Brightness
    • Screen color
    • Color use guidelines
• Ergonomic Accessories
  • Document Holder
  • Footrest
  • Palm/Wrist Support
  • Telephone
• Job Design
  • Task Variety
  • Work Pace
  • Work Breaks
  • Rest Breaks
  • Adjustment Period
• Workstation evaluation and setup
  • Chair considerations and adjustments
  • Keyboard and Mouse setup and considerations
  • Monitor Placement
  • Glare and Reflections
  • Ergonomic accessories (Document Holder, Footrest, etc..)
  • Work area
• Workplace and Office Exercises
• Workstation Checklist
• Symptom Troubleshooting
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Office air and Ventilation
• Occupational Stress (Definition, causes, and symptoms)