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Library Ergonomics Task Force Report

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Task Force Operation

The Ergonomics Task Force began its work on August 23, 1994 at a meeting with Lucy Cohen of Library Human Resources. At that time, the task force received its charge, chose a chair and received preliminary assignments. During the following months, the task force collected literature from various sources, hosted Marianne Berkey from Staff Benefits, and took informational trips to Leslie Office Supply and University Interior Design to test different styles of chairs, workstations and accessories. A representative from Herman Miller also brought sample chairs for testing. During November and December, the task force designed and distributed a survey to all library staff, and results were tabulated and analyzed during December and January. Amy Marino, the chair of the task force, made presentations to Library Cabinet and at the Library Technology Update. In March, 1995, the task force began preparation for its final report.

Appendix B: Tips, Workstation Diagram and Easy Stretches

Tips for working in comfort

Seating
- Adjust your chair and back support for maximum comfort
- Sit with thighs horizontal and hips and knees at approximately 90 degree angles
- Sit with feet supported by floor or footrest
- Adjust your position or stretch at least every 15-20 minutes
Keyboard / Mouse
- Keep wrists in a neutral (straight, not tense) position
- Use a light touch keyboard
- Avoid continuous far reaching
- Use padded wrist rests if necessary
Monitor
- Adjust the monitor for your eye height (i.e., top of monitor at or below eye level)
- Place the monitor 18-30 inches from eyes
- Set the monitor contrast/brightness at a comfortable level
- Avoid glare by using a glare screen, adjusting shades, or repositioning the monitor
- Reduce overhead lighting where possible and use task lighting instead
- Look away from your work periodically
- Blink frequently
- Clean your monitor screen and eyeglasses frequently
Other
- Place often used items within easy reach
- Consider using a document holder, placed at the same height as the computer screen

Appendix C: University of Michigan Resource Persons

For the Library:
Library Human Resources	764-2546

For the Library, through Library Human Resources:
Center for Ergonomics	763-2243
Center for Occupational Rehabilitation	998-7676
Employee Rehabilitation Office	763-1214
Interior Design Service	764-8294

Appendix D: Ergonomics Bibliography

Atkinson, William. "Alleviating CTS and Other Work Problems." THE OFFICE, v. 113, March, 1991, pp. 42-3.

Breisch, Sandra Lee. "Work Stations: How to Adjust." SAFETY & HEALTH, July 1990, pp. 73-4.

Christine, Brian. "OSHA Establishes Ergonomic Guidelines." RISK MANAGEMENT 41 (May 1994) pp 71- .

Dyer, Hilary. "Workstation Design for Library Automation." Program, Aberystwyth Online User Group Seminar 26 (April 1992) pp. 97-110.

"Designing to Prevent RSI." INTERIOR DESIGN, May, 1991, pp. 169-71. ,p> Ergonomically Designed Chairs Adjust to Individual Demands. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY 62 (June 1993) pp. 71-5.

Flynn, Laurie. "Computeritis: Who's Responsible When PCs Make Employees Sick?" INFOWORLD, May 1, 1989, pp. 53-4.

Green, Rodney A. and Briggs, Christopher. "The Effect of Overuse Injury and the Importance of Training on the Use of Adjustable Workstations by Keyboard Operators." JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE 31 (June 1991) pp. 557-61.

"How to Start a Successful Ergonomics Program." OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS 55 (Sept. 1993) pp 122-7.

Katzel, Jeanine. "Introduction to Ergonomics." PLANT ENGINEERING, June 6, 1991, pp. 48-55.

Lacey, Julia S. HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR COMPUTER WORKSTATION, Kerrville, TX, 1994.

Lindo, David K. "It's Time to Emphasize Ergonomics." SUPERVISION 52 (May 1991) pp. 14-16.

Michigan State University Libraries. Ergonomic Action Team. REPORT, 1992.

Updegrove, Daniel A. and Kimberly H. "Computer and Health-- Individual and Institutional Protective Measures." CAUSE/EFFECT 14 (Fall 1991) 40-5.

Wagner, Judy L. and Didriksen, Mark C. "VDT Syndrome: What the HRD Professional Should Know." PERFORMANCE & INSTRUCTION 29 (January 1990) 21-4.

Wexler, Annette. "Office Equipment That Reduces Stress and Strain." D & B REPORTS, May/June, 1991, pp. 56-7.

Wilkinson, Frances C. and Krug, Ruth. "Computer Workstation Design and Assessment." TECHNICAL SERVICES QUARTERLY 10:4 (1993) pp 43-52.

Wright, Carol and Friend, Linda. "Ergonomics for Online Searching." ONLINE May, 1992, pp. 13-27.

Appendix E: Task Force Survey (Survey Response Summary)
Conducted December 1994

Overview

222 surveys were returned out of 370

36% or 80 reported no problems
64% or 142 reported one or more problems ranging from mild to severe

Some respondents had already sought help for problems.

Breakdown of responses and reported problems by library division:

Public Services: 45.5% of total responses; 67.3% with problems
Tech. Services/Systems: 27.9% of total responses; 64.5% with problems
AD/ACE: 18.0% of total responses; 57.5% with problems
No designation: 8.6% of total responses; 57.8% with problems

General remarks:

Time worked per day ranged from one to eight hours, with an average of 4 hours.
Time between breaks ranged from 15 minutes to 4 hours, with an average of 1.3 hours.
There was no apparent correlation between number of hours at a terminal per day, breaks, or equipment used with number and type of problems reported.
Those people reporting no problems worked from one to eight hours per day, with breaks from zero to 4 hours; their average work time and break time matched the overall average exactly.
Most time is spent keyboarding (searching, inputting, word processing).
Nearly 75% of staff share one or more terminals and about 74% share printers.
Sharing equipment means that some staff could not always select the chair, etc. that they preferred.

Adaptive Equipment

Some adaptive equipment or accessories (lumbar support, task lighting, wrist rests, etc.) and adjustable furniture (primarily chairs) are currently used. But the survey revealed that many people did not know that accessories were available or that some furniture was adjustable. In shared areas, accessories and adjustable equipment are often not available when needed.

Problems Reported (Percentage of those reporting problems)

Physical discomfort:

Eyestrain: 72 (51%) (blurred vision, red vision, soreness)
Back 64 (45%)
Wrists 47 (33%) (including carpal tunnel syndrome)
Neck 37 (26%)
Hands 20 (14%) (hands and fingers)
Shoulders 17 (12 %)
Arms/Elbows 15 (11%)
Legs/feet 13 (9%) (numbness and pain)
Headache 3 (2%)
Fatigue 3 (2%)
Nausea 1 (0.7%)

Environmental problems:

Crowded 4 (3%) (although 115 people in all areas [52%] reported in Question 9 that workspace was inadequate)
Noise 2 (1.5%)
Air quality 1 (0.7%)