CASE STUDY: Ergonomic Intervention Improves Water Treatment Plant Operator’s Work Environment
Water treatment plant operators play a vital role in ensuring safe drinking water for communities. However, inadequate workstation ergonomics can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and even musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This Ergonomics Consulting case study explores the case of a water treatment plant operator whose work environment was assessed by Tim Brent and subsequently improved to address ergonomic concerns.
Client: Water Treatment Plant Operator
Issues: Concerns were reported and were said to be related to the recurrent seated work and current computer workstation design.
WORK PRACTICE / EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS ADDRESSED DURING EVALUATION: Adjustments were made according to the employee’s individual specifications to ensure neutral positioning. The current operator’s desk is a straight away work surface with built-in file pedestals on either side. There is a quad mounted monitor arm with the top monitors well above eye level and the lower monitors slightly below eye level. The quad stand is positioned on the left edge of the desk and the operator needs to straddle the left file pedestal in order to align the keyboard and mouse with the monitors. The Anti-Fatigue mats on the floor in front of the lab counters and sinks are said to be over 20 years old. Excessive glare is emitted through large panel windows above the lab counters which reportedly make reading instruments difficult.
ON SITE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED TO THE EMPLOYEE:
- Sit back and relax with the low and mid back resting against the backrest of the chair.
- Establish your standing desk height at approximately 44″, which is even with your neutral standing elbow height listed in the table above.
- Pull the keyboard close to you in order to avoid forward reaching. The elbow should stay relaxed by your side.
- Attempt to position the primary monitors on the lower setting and the secondary monitors on the higher setting of the dual monitor stand.
- Also, attempt to center the quad monitor stand with the keyboard and mouse in order to minimize neck rotation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Sit/Stand Desk
Risk Factor: Extended forward reaching and shoulder elevation when accessing the computer mouse and keyboard placed on the desktop recurrently throughout the workday. The current desk setup requires seated work and does not provide the opportunity to stand.
Possible Solution: The employee indicated that a height adjustable desk that will allow for postural alterations throughout the workday is available to be relocated to the Control Room. The desk offers height adjustability of 22.5″ up to 48″ and is 6′ x 30″in size. The stated desk dimensions and height range will accommodate all five people working in the control room. The desk is currently stored in the Maintenance shop.
Chair
Risk Factor: Improper chair fit for this employee. The current chair lacks lumbar support fitted to her natural curve, in addition, it lacks an adjustable and well padded seat pan. The current chair was adjusted as well as possible until the situation can be remedied.
Possible Solution: Replace existing chair with an ergonomic chair with adjustable seat height, seat pan slider, five wheel base, padded arm/forearm rests, and adjustable lumbar support. Suggested chair model would be the Sitmatic Forma High Back Chair or an Office Master PT78 Seat Pan with PT69 Backrest. The Sitmatic Forma would be the first option if possible since this employee has experienced the chair and it provides an excellent fit.
Anti Fatigue Mat
Risk Factor: The employee was found standing on hard flooring in the lab at the sinks and lab counter workstations, which can cause fatigue at the lower extremities, especially when standing still for recurrent episodes.
Possible Solution: Please consider providing anti-fatigue mats, in order to cushion load bearing joints during recurrent episodes of standing work. The suggested location and dimensions: mats for the lab counters and sink area with dimensions 16′ x 27″ and 45″ x 27″. The mats need to be compatible for a water resource lab environment.
Window Treatments/Blinds
Risk Factor: The employee demonstrated the need to squint and reported eye strain from working at the lab counters in the Operators Room. A large panel of windows run along the entire wall with no coverings to block the sun and glare. An essential job task involves accurately reading lab samples taken from indicators on clear glass containers.
Possible Solution: Workers who share the Operators Room would like to be considered for window treatments on all or select window panels in order to address eye fatigue, glare and the need to record accurate lab samples/measurements.
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