Ergonomics: fitting the job to the person

Skills you'll practise

• Name the main risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and spot them in a task
• Adjust a workstation you're allowed to adjust (chair, screen, bench aids, tool position) to reduce reach and awkward posture
• Recognize early symptoms such as aches, tingling and numbness, and report them early
• Suggest task or workstation changes using the hierarchy of controls instead of relying on 'being careful'
• Describe the UK employer duties for display screen equipment users

Course outline

1. 1.Ergonomics: fitting the job to the personVideo · 3 min
2. 2.How work strains the bodyLesson · 15 min
3. 3.Setting up the workstationLesson · 15 min
4. 4.Repetitive work, reporting and improvementLesson · 15 min
5. 5.Ergonomics: fitting the job to the person: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 16 questions
6. 6.Ergonomics: fitting the job to the person: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
7. 7.Final exam9 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out

Sources it draws on

The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.

• OSHA: Ergonomics
• HSE: Upper limb disorders (UK)
• HSE: Working safely with display screen equipment (UK)
• NIOSH: Hierarchy of Controls
• Your employer's safety procedures, risk assessments and site rules (these govern)