Ergonomics

For comm centers, there are several areas of ergonomic concern--seating, headsets (or lack of them), video terminals, keyboards or computer mouse, and environmental conditions such as lighting, heating and air conditioning. Also check our Typical Comn Centers page for photos of consoles, keyboards and furniture. updated 9/25/07

The federal Occupations Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and some states have regulations that set out the obligations of employers to prevent injuries caused by repetitive motion, lighting, seating or other ergonomic causes. For the past four years the agency has attempted to finalize new regulations that would strike a balance between business and workers--but without success. New regulations have been proposed under both the last President Clinton administration and the first term of President George W. Bush. After political pushing and shoving, as of Dec. 2002 the OSHA regulations are being considered only as "guidelines," and have no enforcement provisions. However, check the OSHA Web site for the latest information about the guidelines, a list of FAQs and compliance guides.

The most pertinent information about ergonomics comes from OSHA. Check:

  • First OSHA ergo proposed guidelines 1999
  • Comment period extended for proposed regulations 2000
  • Comment on latest proposed guidelines by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CI
  • Comment on proposed guidelines by the Safety Online Web
  • Final regulations [text and Acrobat/pdf versions]
  • Guidelines flow chart

Check these links for information on headsets, which help eliminate neck, shoulder and back problems:

Check these companies for consoles and related gear:

Also check these materials and links on ergonomics:

  • Article written by DISPATCH Monthly for Tow Times magazine on ergonomics
  • Diagram of optimum equipment arrangement
  • Diagram of desired chair adjustments
  • Advice from Her Majesty's Health & Safety Executive (Cabinet-level British office) on ergonomics and video displays
  • Federal OSHA general information and resources
  • Ergonomics Program, UC-San Francisco and UC-Berkeley
  • ErgoWeb, comprehensive site for information and resources
  • ErgoBuyer, site for ergonomic products
  • Doctor Ergo Web site - resources for vision
  • CTD News, publications about ergonomics
  • American Occupational Therapy Association, free screen-saver for Windows/Macintosh computers to remind you when to take breaks
  • Department of Justice page on requirement that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities
  • American Optometric Association - eye health
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society - professional group
  • Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics - training, education and certification of ergo professionals
  • International Ergonomics Associations - professional group
  • Ergonomic furniture by Computer Comforts and Watson Furniture
  • Guidelines for video screen placement and lighting
  • Office ergnomics Web site
  • Ott-Lite full-spectrum fixture and bulb solutions for lighting your workstation
  • California's Department of Personnel Administration has published an excellent 39-page "Computer User's Handbook" that covers ergonomic topics--print it out and include it with your trainee's binder! [Acrobat, pdf format, 2.5 Mb]
  • Air Technology Solutions Inc. markets flush-mounted, in-ceiling air filtration systems for comm centers. The units operate independently from your heating and air conditioning system, and are reportedly 99.7% efficient on sub-micro particles, and also remove gaseous pollutants (carbon dioxide, carbon monxide, etc.).
  • RSIGuard offers Windows-based software that features break timers, auto-click, activity logging and analysis and on-line training to help reduce injuries and allow those with injuries to work more efficiently. The offer a free downloadable trial of their software.
  • NexGen Ergonomics has a list of ergonomic resources.
  • UC Berkeley's Health Service maintains an excellent Web site with links to ergonomic resources, including a diagram of proper posture.
  • The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society sells copies of "The Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Workstations," which covers all aspects of the VDT workstation, including the working environment, the visual display, the keyboard, furniture, and measurement techniques.
  • Princeton University has ergo guidelines and a diagram.
  • Oregon's OSHA has posted a list of links to ergo resources.
  • The state of New Jersey has published a guide on ergonomics for computer users. [Acrobat, pdf format]
  • California's Department of Health Services has posted an excellent dispatch-specific brochure on ergonomics and console set-up. [Acrobat, pdf format, 329k]
  • Adapaspace offers various consoles, furniture and other gear for command and communications centers
  • The Office-Ergo Web site

Video Display Terminals

It's known that video display terminals (VDT), such as those used by a dispatcher working with CAD, can cause many types of maladies, not the least of which is eye strain. But terminals are also a source of electromagnetic waves, static electricity and other physical phenomona that could affect the health of nearby persons. If you work your entire shift at a VDT, you should be aware of the potential hazards and the controversy over whether they actually cause illnesses. Here are some Web sites to get you started:

  • OSHA Web site, general information on VDTs
  • Electromagnetic Energy Association, fact sheet
  • Dr. James Sheedy, Clinical Professor at the University of California at Berkeley School of Optometry, and Chief of its VDT/Occupational Vision Clinic. His personal Web site includes many articles and links to other sources of VDT information.
  • Indiana University, Computer Science Division, articles on VDTs and ergonomics
  • UC-San Diego, ergonomics and VDT page
  • Eye2Eye site, comprehensive information and links on eye strain, VDT issues
  • University of Wisconsin, thorough discussion of possible link between power lines & electromagnetic energy from VDTs, and cancer or other illnesses

Radio Frequency Energy

Whenever a radio transmitter is activated, it sends out energy in the form of radio waves through its attached antenna. Depending upon the design of the antenna, the energy is transmitted in a specific direction (uni-directional), while in other cases the energy is sent in all directions (omni-directional). Arguably, the energy has an effect on any humans that are within range. Some experts claim the effects are very negative, while others say that only constant, high-powered exposures would affect a human. Either way, the FCC does have exposure limits for authorized amateur radio installations, and there is an on-line Web page to calculate them:

Seating and Chairs

DISPATCH Monthly isn't in the business of selling office furniture, especially chairs. On the other hand, we've heard more complaints about seating equipment during our visits to comm centers than any other issue, so we thought we'd delve into this area slightly. Be sure to read the section above on ergonomics for resources on seating.

About a four years ago one chair appeared on our radar as "the best"--the Aeron by Herman Miller. It's tough, it's comfortable, it's ergonomic. Oh, and it's expensive. We've assembled some Web links to on-line companies that offer the chair at below list price (it's a common industry practice to discount--these are fly-by-night places), along with other sources of 24-hour, intensive-use chairs.

Since then, most other office furniture manufacturers have introduced their own versions of the Aeron chair.

What makes the Aeron chair so great? First, it's constructed of mesh-under-tension, which molds to your body exactly and transfers heat away. Second, it's fully adjustable to match any ergonomic requirement. By the way, unlike a regular chair, it doesn't "tilt" back. Instead, the rearward motion is compound--both back and down. It does take some getting used to! Thirdly, the Aeron chair it's durable. We've seen these chairs after a year of 24-hour use and it's barely obvious they've been used at all--they still looked good and operated perfectly. Lastly, they're attractive and available in a range of two-color schemes to match your decor.

Now, about price....there are ways of getting Aeron chairs cheaper--not cheaply. Office furniture is subject to heavy discounting, and the Web has generated some excellent on-line sources of discounted prices on the Aeron chairs. Here are several Web sites that offer the Aeron chair and other intensive seating:

Lighting

Check these resources for information on proper lighting:

  • Industrial Accident Prevention Association tips (pdf)
  • The Lighting.com Web site