Ergonomics Resources

Training and Awareness

General Ergonomic Awareness Training: designed for all workers, managers, and supervisors as a basic overview of ergonomics. The power point presentation includes information on ergonomic risk factors, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their signs and symptoms
Ergonomic Awareness: Vibration: designed for workers and managers as an overview of risk associated with exposure to hand-arm vibration. The short power point presentation includes signs and symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndromes as well as methods to reduce risk.

Job Requirements and Physical Demand Survey: The Job Requirements and Physical Demands survey (JR/PD) is an ergonomic tool endorsed by the DoD Ergonomic Working Group. Safety and Occupational Health personnel can use the JR/PD to identify ergonomic problem areas and prioritize jobs/ tasks for intervention. The JR/PD bases its outcome on ergonomic risk factors and employee discomfort. The JR/PD can be used as a follow-up tool to OPNAVINST 5100.23 (series) Appendix –A (Ergonomic Risk Factor Screening Tool) or independently to quantify ergonomic risks and prioritize jobs or tasks for intervention.
Hand and Power Tool Use: The following websites provide information regarding the risks associated with hand tool operation and training materials covering proper hand tool selection and use

Vibration and Hand Tools: Hand-arm Vibration Criteria Document by NIOSH provides a basis for a comprehensive occupation safety and health standard to control exposure to vibration. The document contains a critical review of the scientific and technical information available and explains the safety and health risk and adequacy of various control methods.

Ergonomic Chair Features - What are all those handles and knobs under my chair? Here's a complete primer on ergonomic chair adjustability features.
Creating the Ideal Computer Workstation - DoD Information Guide for Supervisors and Users June 2000. This publication offers instruction on how to evaluate a computer workstation and make adjustments to reduce ergonomic stressors. This guide also reviews the purpose and application of ergonomic furniture and accessories.
Strategic Rest Breaks reduce VDT discomforts without impairing productivity – Press Release by NIOSH summarizing a research study that evaluated the effects of rest breaks among computer users.
Back Belts do they prevent injury? Press Release by NIOSH summarizing research
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs): A Fact Sheet on WMSDs by NIOSH short summary on research conducted and recommendations to prevent injury
Fact Sheet on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: by NIOSH -–This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome short summary on research conducted and recommendations to prevent injury
WMSDs in the Navy: a short paper describing the current impact of WMSDs on Navy military and civilian personnel including high-risk professions and activities. See: Construction - Program categories - Ergonomics
Hitting the Road? Here are several tips to make your travel more comfortable.

Control of Ergonomic Hazards in Dry-cleaning – a brief 1-2 page user friendly document that describes control techniques that have been documented to substantially reduce hazardous exposures to workers in the industry
Control of Ergonomic Hazards of Wiring Tasks – a brief 1-2 page user friendly document that describes control techniques that have been documented to substantially reduce hazardous exposures to workers in the industry.
Health Care Professionals - a resource guide for reducing risk for heath care professionals. Contains information on safe patient handling techniques, resources for training, and resources for equipment and tools. See Construction - Program categories - Ergonomics