Ergonomics covers all aspects of a job, from the physical stresses it places on joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, bones and the like, to environmental factors which can effect hearing, vision, and general comfort and health.

CPCC’s Office of Occupational Health and Safety works with ergonomics.  The goal of ergonomics is to make the work environment more comfortable and to improve both health and productivity. Workshops are offered to help address the physical, environmental, and emotional aspects of work. Topic areas include computer use, repetitive motion, musculoskeletal disorders, and more.

Contact CPCC Occupational Health and Safety program at (704) 330-6580 and they will: 
   • Survey your office ergonomics and make recommendations.
   • Identify and assess needs and risk factors at worksites,
   • Provide safety training and education to faculty and staff,
   • Provide resources to faculty and staff so that they may be empowered to proactively implement changes to improve safety, comfort, and function at their worksites.

The following websites provide a wealth of information:

1. Optimal ergonomic office space http://solutions.3m.com/3MContentRetrievalAPI/BlobServlet?locale=en_US&univid=1114307475422&fallback=true&assetType=MMM_Image&blobAttribute=ImageFile&placeId=73528&version=currentReducing 

 2. This eTool* illustrates simple, inexpensive principles that will help you create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.html 

3. Ergonomic guidelines for arranging a computer workstation. http://www.pbs.org/livelyhood/carpool/desk/ergoguide.html

4. How to reduce back pain at work  http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/ergo/ergo05.html

5.  Ergonomics and back pain in the workplace http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/ergo/ergo01.html 

6. Ten tips for improving posture and ergonomics http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/posterg/posture01.html

7. Ergonomics web seminar (requires real time player) http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ergonomics/home/advice/ergonomicseminar/

8. This OSHA checklist can help you create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/checklist.html