Unlocking the potential

Training for managers & supervisors

What is Ergonomics
♦the science of fitting jobs to
people.
– Ergonomics uses knowledge
of physical abilities,
limitations & human
characteristics that apply to
job design.
Ergonomic Design
♦ considers the tasks,
equipment &
environment to provide
efficient use of worker
capabilities while
ensuring that job
demands do not exceed
those capabilities
Proper ergonomics
can
♦ Improve Efficiency
♦ Increase Production
Capability
♦ Reduce Workplace Injuries
♦ Lower Workers’ Comp Costs
♦ Reduce Absenteeism
Musculoskeletal Disorders
♦ Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
are an injury or illness to soft body tissue
such as:
• Muscles
• Nerves
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Joints
• Cartilage
• Spinal Discs
MSDs include

♦ Strains & Sprains

♦ Soreness or Pain
♦ Carpal tunnel syndrome
♦ Connective tissue disorders
Muscular Skeletal
Disorders
♦ MSDs are medical conditions that
develop gradually over a period of
time
♦ MSDs do not typically result from a
single instantaneous event.  
MSDs are caused by
•Bending
•Climbing
•Crawling
•Reaching
•Twisting
•Overexertion
•Repetitive Exposure
Risk Factors
♦Risk Factors are the
elements of workstation
design or employee action
that can result in Muscular-
Skeletal Disorders
•Environmental Factors
•Activity Factors
Environment Risk Factors
♦Heat or cold
♦Lighting
♦Vibration
♦Tool design
♦Noise
Activity Risk Factors
♦Static or awkward
postures
♦Improper gripping
♦Improper lifting
♦Repetitive Motion
Heat & Cold
♦ Heat effects blood circulation & causes
cramps, burns/rashes and general
discomfort.
♦ Cold effects the body's blood
circulation, causes hypothermia, loss
of flexibility, distraction and poor
dexterity.
♦ Comfortable temperature range
•68 to 74 degrees
•Humidity 20 – 60%
Vibration
♦ Excessive vibration causes pain to
muscles, joints and internal organs
♦ Soft tissue trauma to the hands,
arms, feet and legs.
Lighting
♦ Under & over lighted areas causes:
•Headaches
•Muscle strains
•Fatigue
•Eye strain
♦ Poorly lighted areas also
contributes to trip & fall hazards &
poor coordination
Tool design
♦ Handle shape
♦ Control type
♦ Control location
♦ Vibration
♦ Impact
♦ Pressure
Noise
♦ Noise peaks above 100 decibels
cause:
•Headaches
•Increased blood
pressure
•Muscle tension &
fatigue
•Irritability & distraction
Force & Exertion
♦ Forceful exertions place higher
loads on the muscles, tendons,
ligaments, and joints
♦ Factors
•Weight
•Bulkiness
•Speed
Posture
♦ Prolonged standing -
varicose veins, back stress,
pooling of blood in legs

♦ Sitting without back

support - low back stress

♦ Seat too high - decreased

circulation, (legs dangling
over end) bruises
Posture
♦ Shoulders rounded - Upper/lower
back stress, respiratory distress

♦ Leaning forward - Lower back

stress

♦ Arms extended or over-reaching  -

Stress to arm muscles, upper back
stress
Posture
♦ Elbows "winged" - Joint stress at
shoulder, poor use of bicep
muscles
♦ Stepping backwards - Loss of
balance, displaced gravity,
muscle stress
♦ Locking knees - Stress to back of
knee, poor blood circulation
♦ Bent Wrist – excessive force
when gripping
Repetition
♦ Frequent & prolonged repetition of the
same movements cause muscle
fatigue and stress
♦ Factors that increase repetition
hazards
•Number of cycles per minute
•Force required
•Posture
Gripping
♦ Factors that increase gripping
hazards
•Bent wrist
•Surface area
•Surface friction
•Vibration
•Type of grip
Lifting
♦ Factors that increase lifting
hazards
•Weight
•Size
•Repetition
•Twisting
•Bending
•Reaching
•Method
Hazard Controls
♦ Engineering Controls
♦ Administrative Controls
♦ Work Practice Controls
Engineering Controls
♦ Re-design of work station
♦ Re-design of tools
♦ Lighting modification
♦ Vibration control
♦ Noise Control
♦ Automation
♦ Mechanical Lifting
♦ Material Flow
Administrative Controls
♦ Employee rotation
♦ Job task enlargement
♦ Adjustment of work pace
♦ Redesign of work methods
♦ Alternative tasks
♦ Rest breaks
Work Practice Controls
♦ Work techniques & procedures
♦ Conditioning period
♦ Training Lifting techniques
♦ Personal Protective Equipment
Checklists
♦ Basic Screening Tool
♦ General Risk Analysis
♦ Computer Work Stations
♦ Hand Tool Analysis
♦ Hazard Identification
♦ Task Analysis
♦ Workstation Evaluation
Program Elements
♦ Management Leadership
♦ Employee Participation
♦ Hazard Identification
♦ Hazard Information
♦ Medical Management
♦ Program Evaluation
♦ Recordkeeping
Management Leadership
♦ Assign responsibilities
♦ Provide authority, resources &
information
♦ Examine existing policies
♦ Take action to correct problems
♦ Communicate regularly with
employees
Hazard Identification
♦ Reports of signs, symptoms &
hazards
♦ Recommendations from
employees & supervisors
♦ Records review of existing
safety & health records
♦ Routine facility safety & health
inspections
Information & Training
♦ Signs & symptoms
♦ Importance of early reporting
♦ Specific hazards & controls
♦ Reporting MSDs & hazards
♦ How to recommend control methods
♦ Protective Measures
♦ Ergonomics program & their role
♦ OSHA standard requirements
Employee Involvement
♦ Report of signs, symptoms
& hazards

♦ Hazard control
recommendations

♦ Access to information
MSD Management
♦ Prompt response
♦ Work restrictions or other
measures
♦ Prompt access to a health care
professional
♦ Written Medical Opinion
♦ Medical Follow-up
Program Evaluation
♦ MSD records
♦ Engineering Controls
♦ Administrative Controls
♦ Work Practice Controls
♦ Opinions
Recordkeeping
♦ Reports of MSD or hazards
♦ Responses to employee reports
♦ Job hazard analysis
♦ Hazard control records
♦ Ergonomics program evaluation
♦ MSD management records
Program Forms
♦ MSD Symptom Survey
♦ MSD Survey Location
♦ New Equipment Survey
♦ Task Hazard Prevention Worksheet
♦ Job Hazard Analysis
♦ Job Task Steps
♦ MSD Sign/Symptom Report
♦ MSD Hazard Controls Log
♦ Hazard Control Report
Thank you for your attendance!