Ergonomic Issues
**Reminder** For an ergonomic evaluation and/or concern the first step is to contact the correct FOM member.
FOM will work with Environmental Health and Safety Department to provide staff ergonomic evaluations and implement recommendations .
Ergonomic Issues
The GF is responsible for having basic knowledge in work station design and evaluation and for staying current with the research and findings about ergonomic accommodations in the work place.
FOM will work University of Minnesota Environmental Health and Safety Department to collect current information about ergonomic products, training and standards.
FOM will serve as a central resource for staff ergonomic needs.
FOM will continue to receive education and training for technical ergonomics issues.
FOM will work with Workers Compensation and Disablitiy Services regarding health and evaluation issues to determine and how these matters affect the need for accommodation outside the domain of the GF.
Ergonomic Computer Equipment for New Employees
New Employees can have choice between the following standard keyboards and mice
- Standard keyboard
- Microsoft split.
- Optical mouse
- Touch pads
Contact FOM if keyboard tray change is required to accommodate the keyboard and/or mice/touch pad.
If a long term employee moves to a different location and wants the same equipment as they had in the past position, Computer Support Staff will replace with same mouse/keyboard. If the keyboard doesn’t fit the keyboard tray contact FOM.
All mice, keyboard and/or monitor changes that are requested by due to ergonomic needs must be referred to FOM.
Computer Support will store used ergonomic items and will deploy per a FOM request.
Computer Support will order replacement products with an e-mail copy to FOM for accounting purposes.
Computer Support has the discretion to order from the best price vendor regardless of the vendor listed on the request if it is for the same product.
All ergo needs/adjustments or comments should be directed to FOM.
Note: The Facilities and Operations Management (FOM) contact is your Libraries Facilities Manger.
Ergonomic Workstation Evaluations and Recommendations
FOM is responsible for an ergonomic review of every individual workstation in the building.
Workstations are to be systematically reviewed for correct keyboard height, correct monitor placement, alignment of the work station on a single axis, workstation orientation with respect to natural and artificial light sources. This review is to be done against an accepted set of ergonomic standards which have been developed and approved by the University of Minnesota Environmental Health and Safety department.
With every new staff hire, the workstation is to be reviewed again and a brief orientation with the new staff member is to be conducted by FOM to point out the ergonomic features designed into the workstation, keyboard, chair adjustments, etc . and to review for any additional modifications which may be indicated by the needs of the new staff member.
Department Directors must contact FOM to set an appointments.
When notice of the need for ergonomic accommodation reaches FOM a response will be made in a timely manner to the individual staff members either making immediate modifications or indicating the expected time line for the modifications which have been recommended.
Links
University of Minnesota Environmental Health and Safety:
General Information about Ergonomics/Publications/Newsletters/WEB SITES:
http://www.tifaq.org/articles.html
Tips on Prevention:
http://www.openerg.com/dse/index.html
Hints to help Identify Problems:
Exercises:
Products:
http://www.tifaq.org/furniture.html
http://www.ergoweb.com/index.cfm
Programs at other Universities: