This document discusses workplace ergonomics and wellness. It covers topics like defining ergonomics, employee ergonomics principles, occupational hazards, stress, and yoga and its benefits for stress management. Simple stretches and exercises are demonstrated that can be done at the workstation to relieve stress and tension. Maintaining wellness and adopting ergonomic practices are important for employee health and reducing work-related injuries.

1. 12th April 2012
WORK SPACE WELLNESS
TO
WORLD OF WELLNESS
- Dr Gowthaman Krishnamoorthy
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2. ERGONOMICS
• The term "ergonomics" is derived from two Greek words: "ergon,"
meaning work, and "nomoi," meaning natural laws. Ergonomists study
human capabilities in relationship to work demands.
• ERGONOMICS is essentially about "fitting work to people". It's the process
of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they
fit the people who use them.
• This includes design of the home, design of public access buildings and
public spaces, and design and operation of transport systems.
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3. EMPLOYEE ERGONOMICS
 Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and
the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order
to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
 In recent years, ergonomists have attempted to define postures which minimize
unnecessary static work and reduce the forces acting on the body.
All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if we could adhere to the following
ergonomic principles:
 All work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but equally
healthy and safe postures. Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be
done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available.
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4. OFFICE ERGONOMICS
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5. ERGONOMICS
the task
(job content &
context)
the the
organization tool
the the
environment workstation
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6. ERGONOMICS
• Goal
– to reduce work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) developed by workers
• MSDs are injuries and illnesses that affect
muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints or
spinal discs.
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7. ERGONOMICS
Common Symptoms of MSDs
• Painful joints
• Pain, tingling, numbness in hands, wrists, forearms,
shoulders, knees and feet
• Shooting or stubbing pains
• Swelling or inflammation
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8. ERGONOMICS
Common Symptoms of MSDs
• Fingers or toes turning white
• Back or neck pain
• Stiffness
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9. ERGONOMICS FOR ALL
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10. Occupational Hazards
PHYSICAL
HAZARD
ERGONOMIC HAZARD CHEMICAL
HAZARD
BIOLOGICAL
HAZARD
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11. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
( ILO/WHO )
 Promote and maintain the highest degree of physical, mental
& social well-being of workers of all occupations
 Prevent workers from departures due to health caused by
their working conditions
 Protect workers in their working environment from hazards
and risks usually causing adverse health effects
 Place & maintain a worker in an occupational environment
adapted to his/her physiological ability
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12. HAZARD AND RISK
 HAZARD  RISK
- any source of - the chance or
potential damage, probability that a
harm or adverse person will be
health effects on harmed or
something or experience an
someone under adverse health effect
certain conditions at if exposed to a
work. hazard.
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13. Genetic Multiplicity of
factors exposure
Lifestyle
Duration of
Age exposure
WORK- Workplace
Workers’
Factors Physical
Susceptibility RELATED properties
Race DISEASE
Magnitude of
Gender exposure
Medical Timing of
history exposure
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14. Radiation Risk
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Source Frequency in hertz (Hz)
X-rays, about
1 billion 22
billion Hz
Gamma rays 10
20
can penetrate 10
the body and damage X-rays 18
internal organs and tissues 10
by damaging important 16
molecules like DNA.
Ultraviolet radiation 10
14
This is called “ionization.” Visible light 10
12
Microwaves, several billion Hz, Infrared radiation 10
10
can have “thermal” or hearing 10
effects on body tissues Microwaves 8
Power frequency EMFs 50 or 10
Radio waves 6
60 Hz carry very little energy, 10
have no ionizing effects 800 - 900 MHz 4
and usually no thermal 15 - 30 Hz &
50 - 90 Hz
Very low frequency (VLF) 10
3,000 - 30,000 Hz 2
effects. They can, however,
Extremely low frequency 10
cause very weak electric 60 Hz
(ELF) 3 - 3,000 Hz
currents to flow in the body. Direct current 0
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15. RADIATION
Types Sources Health Effects
Ionizing X-rays Cancer, congenital
Gamma rays defects, death
Non-ionizing Ultraviolet skin redness, premature
skin ageing, and skin
cancer
Infrared corneal and conjunctival
burns, retinal injury,
cataract
Laser Skin and eye problem
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16. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
VIRUSES FUNGI
BACTERIA PARASITES
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17. Selected Infectious Diseases and
Occupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Colds, influenza, scarlet fever, May be contracted anywhere
diphtheria, smallpox
Tuberculosis Silica workers, people exposed
to heat and organic dusts, and
medical personnel
Anthrax Animal handlers and handlers
of carcasses, skins, hides, or
hair of infected animals,
including wool carpet
processors and handlers.
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18. Selected Infectious Diseases and
Occupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Ringworm (in horses, cattle, Pet shop salesmen, stockmen,
deer, pigs, cats, dogs, birds) breeders of cats and dogs, and
other animal handlers
Tetanus Farmers (spores in soil) or
anyone in contact with manure.
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19. STRESS
The harmful physical and emotional responses that
occurs when the requirements of the job do not
match the capabilities, resources or needs of the
worker.
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20. STRESS: Effects
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21. STRESS
Manifestations of Stress
PSYCHOLOGICAL PHYSIOLOGICAL BEHAVIORAL
 Fatigue  Heart rate  Drug use
 Anxiety  Blood pressure  Alcohol intake
 Tension  Indigestion  Heavy smoking
 Irritability
 Impulsive emotional
 Depression
behavior
 Boredom
 Poor work & family
 Inability to
concentrate relationship
 Low esteem  Social isolation
 Family abandonment
 Sleep problems
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22. Ayurveda and Health
• Ayurveda brings about the balance between our Physical & Mental
aspects and helps us to remain naturally beautiful. Herbs of
tremendous medicinal values are found abundantly in nature.
• Ayurveda uses these herbs individually and in special blends to
treat every kind of Physical & Psychological Problems.
• As the Stress builds up, we move towards the Lack of Confidence
and a feeling of Inferiority becomes a part of our Life. Lest the
Thorn / The Cause/ The Toxins/ Stress is removed only then the
normal healing mechanism of the body is initiated or else it effects
the other organs of the body & thus Uncurable Diseases are
produced.
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23. Yoga & Health
• Many of the popular techniques found to reduce stress
derive from yoga:
• controlled breathing
• meditation
• physical movement
• mental imagery
• stretching
• Yoga, which derives its name from the word, “yoke”—to
bring together—does just that, bringing together the mind,
body and spirit. But whether you use yoga for spiritual
transformation or for stress management and physical well-
being, the benefits are numerous.
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24. YOGA
• Yoga for Stress management
• ! Breathing technique help relax and learn the various types
of Pranayama.
• ! Can be done either lying down or sitting posture to ensure
rhythmic breathing in and out.
• ! AUM chanting is soothing.
• ! Practice joint relaxing exercises and instant
• whole body relaxation techniques with deep breathing .
• A) Shavasan B) Makarasan
• C) Bhujangasan D) Shalabhasan
• E) Suptavajrasan F) Vakrasan
• G) Pranayama H) Meditation are use full
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25. DEMO
• If you are wearing tight, uncomfortable footwear
remove them before starting the stretches. You may
also wish to loosen your tie and belt.
• Here are a few exercises you could try for a start:
• Neck Roll
• Close your eyes.
• Let your chin drop down to your chest.
• Begin the circular motion of your neck slowly, by
moving the right ear to the right shoulder, taking
the head backwards and then bringing the left ear
to the left shoulder.
• Keep your shoulders loose and relax.
• Rotate your neck 3-5 times and then switch
directions.
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26. DEMO
• Seated Forward Bend
• Push your chair away from your desk.
• Remaining seated, keep your feet flat on
the floor.
• Take your arms behind the lower back,
keep your back straight and interlace
your fingers behind your back.
• Bending forward from the waist, bring
your interlaced hands over your back.
• Rest your chest on your thighs and relax
your neck.
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27. DEMO
• Cow Stretch
• Keep your feet on the floor.
• Bring both hands on your
knees.
• While inhaling, stretch your
back backwards and look
towards the ceiling.
• While exhaling, stretch your
back forward and drop your
head forward.
• Repeat this exercise for 3-5
breaths.
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28. DEMO
• Eagle Arms
• Stretch your arms straight in front of
your body and parallel to the floor.
Palms facing the ceiling.
• Cross your right arm over the left
(bend your arm slightly at the elbow if
needed). Bring both palms together.
• Lift both elbows. The shoulders slide
down your back.
• Repeat this exercise with the left arm
over the right.
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29. DEMO
• Seated Spinal Twist
• Sit sideways in your chair.
• Place your feet flat on the floor.
• Holding the back of the chair
with both hands, twist your
waist to the right towards the
back of the chair.
• Turn to the other side. Repeat
this exercise a few more times.
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30. DEMO
• Temple Rub
• Keep your elbows on your desk and place your
hands on your temples.
• With small circular motions gently rub your
temples first clockwise and then anti-
clockwise.
• Do this for 10 – 15 long deep breaths.
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31. THANK YOU
• “I still need more healthy rest in order to work at
my best. My health is the main capital I have and I
want to administer it intelligently.”
• ---Ernest Hemmingway
• Nobel Prize winner for literature
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