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Ergonomics

Properly designing and/or adjusting work environments is a critical step in helping prevent Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD's) or Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMI's). Examples of CTD's and RMI's include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis, as well as back and neck injury. These and other types of injuries can result from forceful or sustained exertions, awkward postures, tasks done with the excessive repetitions or duration, exposures to vibrations, temperature extremes, poor lighting or other adverse conditions. Symptoms that may indicate developing CTD's or RMI's include numbness, tingling, swelling or tenderness, in hands, fingers, or arms; headaches and ongoing muscle aches or "sprains." Should symptoms persist, it is advised that you consult your physician.

If you are interested in attending informative sessions aimed at preventing such injuries, you can register for training through our online registration form. These training sessions will focus on office computer workstation ergonomics by identifying, discussing, and providing suggested solutions to repetitive motion hazards that may lead to painful injuries discussed above. These sessions will also provide the tools for self-evaluation or assisting co-workers. This is important because it empowers you to take an active role in the health and well being of yourself as well as others. A visit with us at one of these sessions could prevent a visit with your physician that would be, by far, less pleasant.

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Indoor Air Quality

Oil shortages during the 1970's created many inconveniences to many people. Gasoline rations limited people to fueling their vehicles only on designated days. The oil embargo also resulted in regulatory changes to building ventilation requirements. Ventilation changes were made to conserve fossil fuels, but also resulted in buildings having been made virtually airtight. The currently familiar glass exterior building is a good example.

Conservation measures (as emphasized by a governor's executive order) coupled with dramatic changes in technology, such as desktop computers, resulted in a higher demand on office workers and a greater increase in concerns related to the quality of indoor air office environments. In 1995, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported that the number of indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations made up 75% of all their health hazard evaluation requests. At CSUSB, Environmental Health and Safety is tasked with conducting IAQ investigations following the NIOSH guidelines and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.

An IAQ investigation is intended to evaluate potential health hazards on our campus in response to concerns expressed by our employees. All IAQ investigations are initiated as soon as EHS receives a call from a concerned employee or their supervisor. The investigating EHS member will typically start by looking for the following four basic elements of a potential IAQ problem.

1. Pollutant sources: Is there a source of contamination or discomfort indoors, outdoors, or within the mechanical systems in the building?
2. The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system: Can the HVAC system control existing contaminants (if any) and ensure thermal comfort? Is it properly maintained and operated? Has there been remodeling since the original, engineered HVAC design?
3. Pollutant pathway: Are the air pressure differences between areas of the building maintained so that the flow of air is directed safely away from employees?
4. Occupants: Do the building occupants understand that their activities affect the air quality in the building?

IAQ evaluations can also include direct observations of work practices and procedures, measurement of contamination levels (if present) and the extent of an employee's exposure, medical testing or physical examinations, personal interviews with employees, and review of injury and illness records, medical tests and employee job histories.

Not all IAQ concerns are "air quality" related. Other factors, which can also affect employees in air-tight buildings, include proper lighting, vibrations, noise, ergonomic factors, and psychosocial aspects of the workplace environment. The EHS department here at CSUSB, in conjunction with the attentive work of the Heating and Air Conditioning (HAC) professionals, strives to maintain an IAQ problem-free environment.

IAQ resolutions can be fairly simple or extremely complex and time consuming, so we always appreciate your patience and cooperation. In the absence of all other symptoms and possible contributing factors, calls regarding general comfort levels (hot or cold temperatures) should be directed to the HAC control desk (x5170). All other health related concerns should be directed to EHS (x5179).

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