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Special Requirements 6

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing workplaces, equipment, and jobs to fit people. It encompasses systems analysis of work processes, design of workstations and tools, configuration of displays, controls, and lighting, and how these affect employees' physical requirements.

The UC Berkeley campus is committed to designing ergonomic workplaces to reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries. With respect to capital projects, it shall be the responsibility of the design professional to identify the portions of the work in the design phase which involve ergonomic issues. These shall be discussed and resolved with the Project Manager throughout the project.

Areas of concern in new construction that require a review of ergonomic issues are numerous. Although not a complete list, these areas often include:

computer labs and workstations;

food service kitchens and serverys;

laboratory animal facilities;

research laboratories;

custodial work areas, including trash containers;

materials handling areas including loading docks and storage areas;

customer service counters and windows;

natural and artificial lighting;

furnishings such as window coverings, chairs, computer workstations and accessories.

1.	Designer to seek input from end-users to miminize new construction which contributes to Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI). This may includ demonstrating that workstations and work counters can provide adjustability for table heights with adequate width and depth for the required tasks.
2.	It shall be the responsibility of the Design Professional to consider the issue of RMIs throughout the design process. The intent is to control exposures to work activities that have caused RMIs, including awkward postures such as long reaches reaching behind, twisting, working overhead, kneeling, forward or backward, squatting, or lifting from floor level.
3.	The designer should be familiar with the Checklist for a User-Friendly Workstation prepared by the Campus Occupational Health Program, 1992 and its implications for an ergonomically correct work environment for computer users. Functional plans for computer workstations shall consider relationship between VDT screens and natural lighting. Lighting shall be designed to minimize glare to VDT screens while adequately lighting the work surface. This may involve adjustability of light levels, location of light fixture and reflectance of adjacent surfaces such as ceilings, walls and counters. Natural light can be controlled by window coverings.
4.	Furnishings such as chairs, task lighting, computer workstations and related accessories may be selected by individual staff members to suit their physical characteristics and work requirements. Coordinate with Capital Projects (CP) on the selection of these furnishings when they are purchased by a construction contract or large purchase order process.

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