The Ultimate Ergonomics Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
The Ultimate Ergonomics Quiz
Image: Digital Vision/Thinkstock

About This Quiz

Most people spend the majority of their day in their workplace, so it is easy to understand how a workplace that is poorly set up can cause you injury. Using the principles of ergonomics you can make your workplace a safer and healthier environment. Take this quiz to see how many rules of ergonomics you know.
How many employees suffer from musculoskeletal disorders each year as a result of their workplace?
800000
1.2 million
1.8 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some 800,000 employees are injured each year as a result of a poor workplace setup.

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What body position is considered to be neutral?
a position that is accepted by society
a position that requires the least amount of effort
the position adopted by the fetus in the uterus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Neutral position is the position in which minimum work is required for the body to maintain the position.

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How are most musculoskeletal disorders caused?
cumulative trauma
a single incident
a car accident
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most musculoskeletal disorders are caused by repeatedly straining and injuring the same area.

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How is productivity affected by injury?
increases
not affected
decreases
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Productivity decreases after an injury since people become irritable and find it hard to focus on the job when they have aches and pains.

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Besides the back, what other parts of the body are commonly effected by workplace strain?
the wrist
the legs
the ears
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people end up with tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of incorrect computer posture placing strain on the wrists.

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What is ergonomics?
the study of the spine
adapting the employee to the workplace
fitting workplace conditions to the employee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ergonomics is the science of adapting workplace conditions to the size and capabilities of the employee.

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When sitting for long periods, where should your knees be in relation to your hips?
lower
the same height
higher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips in order to relieve pressure on the lower back. The feet should rest comfortably on the floor or on a stool.

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How far from your face should your computer monitor be?
5 inches
12 inches
16 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You computer should be 16 to 18 inches away from your eyes and your chin should be at the height of the center of the screen. This distance should help you to avoid leaning forward or backward, which can put pressure on the disks in the neck.

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Why are the disks in the neck and the lower back more susceptible to injury than those in the thoracic spine?
The bones there are more brittle.
They aren't supported by the rib cage.
They are used more.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rib cage supports the thoracic spine, making it less susceptible to injury than the neck or lower back.

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What should you avoid when speaking on the telephone?
crunching the phone between your shoulders
using a headset
using the loudspeaker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Avoid crunching the phone between your shoulders as a method of holding it without using your hands. This method causes neck strain. Rather, use a headset or use the loudspeaker function.

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What does carpal tunnel syndrome cause?
blisters
tickling
loss of grip
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carpal tunnel syndrome results from muscle strain to the fingers, wrists and arms and can cause loss of grip.

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If your job requires you to sit for long periods, how often should you go for a walk?
every five minutes
every 30 minutes
every 60 minutes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Try to go for a five-minute walk every 20 to 30 minutes in order to increase the blood and oxygen flowing to your muscles. This helps to refresh the muscles so that they can maintain a good posture.

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What part of your office is it worth investing money into to promote a healthy back?
the chair
the desk
the computer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although they tend to be more expensive, chairs that allow you to make more adjustments, including height and lumbar curve placement, can save you a lot of back problems.

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What letter does the shape of the spine resemble?
L
S
C
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The spine curves at four points, forming an "S" shape. Good posture should help to maintain this shape, which is the healthiest position for the back to be in.

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Why is good posture important?
It builds your muscle strength.
It makes you look taller.
It takes pressure of the intervertebral disks.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Good posture keeps pressure on the bones rather than the intervertebral disks, which can withstand pressure for only a short time before damage occurs.

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You Got:
/15
Digital Vision/Thinkstock