Ergonomics: how the body relates to the environment

Denise Novotny knows emergencies.

She’s a police dispatcher.

She answers calls from the public and police — monitoring three computer screens.

But Novotny was out of her comfort zone.

Repetitive motions aggravated wrist and elbow pain.

Dr. Brett Fischer responded.

So did occupational therapist Brenda Halbmaier at Fremont Area Medical Center.

Fischer is a physician with Heartland Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Fremont.

Halbmaier is a certified hand therapist and ergonomic assessment specialist.

Together, they went to bat for Novotny.

Novotny already had a strike against her.

“I played 32 years of softball,” Novotny said.

This year, she had surgery on the right arm.

But she wants to delay or avoid surgery on the left arm.

“I look at it from a physical and health point of view,” Halbmaier said.

Halbmaier said she typically observes the job and workstation, making note of any symptoms a person might have.

“I can go in and look at the job and give recommendations to prevent further injury,” Halbmaier said, adding, “Sometimes I do a videotape.”

To alleviate pain and strain from lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and carpal tunnel syndrome, Halbmaier rearranged the positions of the computer mice and suggested Novotny use a foot pedal.

“She was always pushing a button on the monitor to talk to officers,” Halbmaier said.

Halbmaier sometimes partners with Sheila Sookram, Student Member ASID and furniture design/sales specialist at Eakes Office Plus in Fremont.

“I know how I want the person to be positioned. I don’t have the knowledge of equipment. Sheila can help,” Halbmaier said.

“Ergonomics is how the body relates to the environment,” Sookram said.

Sookram knows first hand the benefits of ergonomics.

“I had a whiplash injury. I was desperate to feel better,” Sookram said.

One of the worst situations is working with a computer monitor off to the side.

“If the neck is not positioned correctly, you could end up with cervical disc damage,” Halbmaier said. “It’s a domino effect, it could go into the shoulders and hands.”

Muscle fatigue and cumulative trauma are also possible.

Besides benefiting employees, intervention can be advantageous to employers.

“It can really help the bottom line,” Sookram said.

“It doesn’t have to be costly or expensive. We do the least costly avenue first,” Halbmaier said.

Halbmaier has given Novotny a handful of simple tips.

“People sometimes lift palm down and it puts strain on the elbow, wrist and forearm. Lift with the palm up — Brenda (Halbmaier) taught me that,” Novotny said.

“Don’t reach for that mouse. Bring it closer to you,” Novotny added.

Exercises are sometimes helpful.

“Micro-break stretches: 30-second breaks every 45 minutes to an hour,” Halbmaier said. “(Now) when I sit down, I adjust the height of the monitor and keyboard,” Novotny said.

It’s not just for those seated at a computer.

Hairstylists stand for long hours and often use repeated wrist motions, Halbmaier said.

Other area businesses are also paying attention to ergonomics.

“It’s an education process,” Sookram added.

First State Bank of Fremont invited employees from all branches to a lunch and learn program.

Halbmaier and Sookram spoke on the benefits of ergonomics.

“Well Workplace is an initiative in this city,” Sookram said.

“Fremont wants to achieve Well City status,” Sookram added.

“We have a wellness committee and do health risk assessments. One of the topics is organizational — health within the workplace,” said Ryan Fiala, wellness committee member at First State Bank.

“It raises consciousness about health,” said Linda Chapman, senior vice president at the bank.

“It’s an on-going process. It’s not something you do once — you don’t stop at the assessment,” Halbmaier said.

These days, Novotny is back in the swing of things.

She no longer reaches for the mouse.

But she does reach for her golf clubs.

“Maybe with her (Halbmaier’s) help, I won’t have to have surgery — at least not in the near future,” Novotny said.

Novotny plans to keep arm pain from becoming a real emergency.



The following information is courtesy of Fremont Area Medical Center Ergonomic Services:

Fremont Area Medical Center provides the following work assessment services:

* Functional Capacity Evaluations

* Work Conditioning Services

* Job Hazard Analysis

* Job Analysis

* Post-Offer Screens

* Ergonomics Training

* Ergonomic Product  Recommendations and Design of Office Space

*Programs to decrease the risk of cumulative trauma

— FAMC Ergonomics Services “Working Pain-free for Maximum Productivity”

Brenda Halbmaier, OTR/L Sheila Sookram, Student Member ASID

Certified Hand Therapist Space Planning and Design

Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist

(402) 727-3636