ergonomics

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ergonomics

• Training for Mangers and Supervisors

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What is Ergonomics

• The science of fitting jobs to people.
• Ergonomics uses knowledge of physical abilities,
  limitations human characteristics that apply to
  job design.

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Ergonomic Design

• Considers the tasks, equipment environment to
  provide efficient use of worker capabilities
  while ensuring that job demands do not exceed
  those capabilities

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Why ergonomics?
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Proper ergonomics can

• Improve Efficiency
• Increase Production Capability
• Reduce Workplace Injuries
• Lower Workers Comp Costs
• Reduce Absenteeism

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Muscular skeletal disorders
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Muscular Skeletal Disorders

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an injury or
  illness to soft body tissue such as
• Muscles
• Nerves
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Joints
• Cartilage
• Spinal Discs

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Muscular Skeletal Disorders include

• Strains Sprains
• Soreness or Pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Connective tissue disorders

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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.  

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Causes of Muscular Skeletal Disorders

• Bending
• Climbing
• Crawling
• Reaching
• Twisting
• Overexertion
• Repetitive Exposure
• Standing

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Risk factors
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Risk Factors

• Risk Factors are the elements of workstation
  design or employee action that can result in
  Muscular-Skeletal Disorders.
• Environmental Factors
• Activity Factors

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Environment Risk Factors

• Heat or cold
• Lighting
• Vibration
• Tool design
• Noise

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Activity Risk Factors

• Static or awkward postures
• Improper gripping
• Improper lifting
• Repetitive Motion

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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

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Vibration

• Excessive vibration causes pain to muscles,
  joints and internal organs.
• Soft tissue trauma to the hands, arms, feet and
  legs.

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Lighting

• Under over lighted areas causes
• Headaches
• Muscle strains
• Fatigue
• Eye strain
• Poorly lighted areas also contributes to trip
  fall hazards poor coordination.

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Tool design

• Handle shape
• Control type
• Control location
• Vibration
• Impact
• Pressure

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Noise

• Noise peaks above 100 decibels cause
• Headaches
• Increased blood pressure
• Muscle tension fatigue
• Irritability distraction

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Force Exertion

• Forceful exertions place higher loads on the
  muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
• Factors
• Weight
• Bulkiness
• Speed

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Gripping

• Factors that increase gripping hazards
• Bent wrist
• Surface area
• Surface friction
• Vibration
• Type of grip

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Lifting

• Factors that increase lifting hazards
• Weight
• Size
• Repetition
• Twisting
• Bending
• Reaching
• Method

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Control measurers
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Hazard Controls

• Engineering Controls
• Administrative Controls
• Work Practice Controls

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Engineering Controls

• Re-design of work station
• Re-design of tools
• Lighting modification
• Vibration control
• Noise Control
• Automation
• Mechanical Lifting
• Material Flow

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Administrative Controls

• Employee rotation.
• Job task enlargement.
• Adjustment of work pace.
• Redesign of work methods.
• Alternative tasks.
• Rest breaks.

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Work Practice Controls

• Work techniques procedures.
• Conditioning period.
• Training Lifting techniques.
• Personal Protective Equipment.

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Analysis tools
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Checklists

• Basic Screening Tool
• General Risk Analysis
• Computer Work Stations
• Hand Tool Analysis
• Hazard Identification
• Task Analysis
• Workstation Evaluation

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Program elements
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Program Elements

• Management Leadership
• Employee Participation
• Hazard Identification
• Hazard Information
• Medical Management
• Program Evaluation
• Recordkeeping

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Management Leadership

• Assign responsibilities.
• Provide authority, resources information.
• Examine existing policies.
• Take action to correct problems.
• Communicate regularly with employees.

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Hazard Identification

• Reports of signs, symptoms hazards.
• Recommendations from employees supervisors.
• Records review of existing safety health
  records.
• Routine facility safety health inspections.

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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.

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Employee Involvement

• Report of signs, symptoms hazards.
• Hazard control recommendations.
• Access to information.

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MSD Management

• Prompt response.
• Work restrictions or other measures.
• Prompt access to a health care professional.
• Written Medical Opinion.
• Medical Follow-up.

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Program Evaluation

• MSD records
• Engineering Controls
• Administrative Controls
• Work Practice Controls
• Opinions

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Recordkeeping

• Reports of MSD or hazards.
• Responses to employee reports.
• Job hazard analysis.
• Hazard control records.
• Ergonomics program evaluation.
• MSD management records.