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Ergonomics for Fire and EMS Departments Developing & Implementing Ergonomic Solutions

This workshop will review injury risk factors, discuss solutions hierarchy, explore potential solutions, and examine barriers to solutions, focusing on ergonomics in fire and EMS departments. Presented by the University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center.

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Ergonomics for Fire and EMS Departments Developing & Implementing Ergonomic Solutions

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  1. Ergonomics for Fire and EMS DepartmentsDeveloping & ImplementingErgonomic Solutions University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center This material has been made possible by a grant from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, Department of Consumer and Business Services

  2. Today’s Workshop Will: • Review injury risk factors • Discuss solutions hierarchy • Review hazard analysis • Explore potential solutions • Examine barriers to solutions

  3. Musculoskeletal Risk Factors • Excessive force/weight (pulling, lifting) • Awkward postures • Repetition • Prolonged postures • Temperature Extremes • Direct pressure • Poor work organization

  4. Review of Ergonomics Worker Task/job Environment The goal of ergonomics is todesign the job to fit the worker, NOT fit the worker to the job.

  5. Room for Improvement? Worker: Specific capabilities Environment: accommodate good postures in ›fire stations ›vehicles ›ER Task/job: time in awkward posture force repetition proper equipment

  6. Ergonomic Solutions Hierarchy Personal control Effectiveness Equipment or Engineering Job organization Personal protective equipment Bodymechanics

  7. Injury

  8. Injury fitness & wellness

  9. Injury proper body mechanics fitness & wellness

  10. Injury proper body mechanics fitness & wellness personal protective equipment

  11. proper body mechanics fitness & wellness job organization Injury personal protective equipment

  12. proper body mechanics fitness & wellness Engineering controls & equipment improvements job organization personal protective equipment

  13. Risk of musculoskeletal injury proper body mechanics fitness & wellness activities outside work Engineering controls/ Equipment improvement job organization personal protective equipment

  14. Getting to Solutions Job Tasks Solution Hazards Solution • Ergonomics team • Equipment committee • Shift crew • Training crew • Line personnel Solution Solution

  15. Ergonomics Program Elements • Assessment of musculoskeletal hazards • Prevention and control of musculoskeletal hazards • Training • A medical management system • Procedures for reporting injuries • A plan for the implementation of the program • Methods for evaluating the program

  16. Job Hazard Assessment • Identify and prioritize jobs/tasks 2 Break down each job into discrete tasks 3 Study and assess each task - Determine the specific risk factors for each task What and Why Analysis

  17. Solutions…

  18. What and Why Analysis • Tasks or steps involved • Body parts affected • Risk factors • Frequency/duration of task • Why is it done this way? • Potential solutions • Cost of solutions • Barriers Assess the task Prevent & control

  19. Prevention and ControlAKA: Solutions • Set short term and long term goals • May address a single major problem • May address several smaller/simpler problems • Think outside the box

  20. Solutions • Come up with many solutions • Dream big and small • Decide what is optimal • Barriers • Cost/benefit • Best way to implement • Worker buy in • Department buy in • Have a process

  21. Lateral Transfer Aids • One “job” is the lateral patient transfer • Use of a device reduces the stress to the low back by reducing the friction. • It eliminates the need for the 3rd person on the bed Drawsheet only Drawsheet with lateral transfer device

  22. No-Lift System ramp with special gurney motorized winch & cable Bariatric Unit, AMR Portland

  23. Ergonomic Communication Assisted Living Nursing homes Home care worker Other health care facilities Patient/ pt family ER/ hospitals FF/EMS

  24. Ergonomic Communication • Understanding the “bigger” picture can help all the workers involved • Establish appropriate communication with stakeholders • Patient handling • Patient logistics • Patient care • Develop policies

  25. Solution for a job? Job: Single person handling a ladder.

  26. What and Why Job Hazard Analysis Firefighter Joe Getting Ladder Low back, shoulder, neck Heavy weight, awk postures Infrequent, short duration Lift off truck Lift from engine Low back, shoulder Heavy weight, awk postures Infrequent, short duration Need to walk Carry to site Place against wall Need to get tip up Low back shoulder, legs Heavy weight, awk postures Infrequent, short duration

  27. Solutions Now think about: • The tasks: lifting, carrying, placing • Potential solutions for each • Cost • Benefit • Barriers • Implementation

  28. Solution Analysis

  29. ? ? ? ? Questions and Evaluation Thank you for your attention

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