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Photo: “Tulalip Bay” by Diane L. Wilson-Simon. BASIC ERGONOMICS . Instructor: David Ellsworth Edmonds Community College
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BASIC ERGONOMICS Instructor: David Ellsworth Edmonds Community College This course is being supported under grant number SH16637SH7 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. With Thanks to & Cooperation of the Tulalip Occupational Safety & Health Administration (TOSHA)
ERGONOMICS WHAT IS “ERGONOMICS”??” Ergos = work Nomos = laws Ergonomics = the laws of work
ERGONOMICS What Does Ergonomics Mean? • Designing jobs, equipment, and work tasks to fit human physical characteristics and energy limitations • It considers body dimensions, mobility, and the body’s stress behavior • “Make the work fit the person, not the person fit the work”
ERGONOMICS Benefits of Ergonomics Include: • safer jobs with fewer injuries • increased efficiency and productivity • improved quality and fewer errors • improved morale
ERGONOMICS Ergonomic Goals: • Finding ways to make strenuous, often repetitive work, less likely to cause muscle and joint injuries -- and still get the job done. • Keeping young bodies from wearing out prematurely, and mature bodies from givingout early.
ERGONOMICS Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) accounted for an average total of $410.3 million of worker’s compensation claims in the years 1995-1997
ERGONOMICS This type of injury affects nearly 50,000 Washington workers each year Enough People to Fill Safeco Field!! It is estimated that the actual cost including lost taxes, wages, fringe benefits, administrative costs, etc. is close to $1.5 billion per year.
ERGONOMICSState Fund Claims - Statewide 1990-98* Number of Claims Cost of Claims WMSDs All other claims WMSDs All other claims 26% 40% 60% 74% * Note: This data does not include lower extremity WMSDs. Source: SHARP Report No. 40-4a-2000
ERGONOMICS Nationally, almost 60% of all work-related illnesses are MSDs
078 Landscape, Horticultural 420 152 General Bldg Contractors, Residential 1,361 174 Masonry, Tile, Plaster 703 175 Carpentry, Floor Work 429 176 Roofing, Siding, Sheet Metal 388 177 Concrete Work 287 242 Sawmills, Planing Mills 432 421 Trucking and Courier Services (non-air) 1,591 451 Air Transportation, Air Courier 411 541 Grocery Stores 1,486 Nursing, Personal Care Facilities 805 2,177 836 Residential Care 445 Total 10,130 The Problem is Widespread The Top 12 Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC) SIC Industry WMSDs per year These 12 SICs alone account for 20% of WMSDs Source: SHARP Report No. 40-4a-2000
The Cost-Benefit Ratio Is Substantial Statewide estimated annual costs saved by ergonomics prevention Statewide estimated annual costs to comply with the rule: $80 Million $340 Million The Estimated Savings to Business Is$4for Every$1Invested
ERGONOMICS Current Federal Law OSHA:The federal law (OSHA Ergonomics Standard) was issued on November 14, 2000 and was scheduled to be effective on January 16, 2001
REGULATIONS Congress utilized the little known Congressional Review Act (CRA) to pass a joint resolution of disapproval of the new OSHA Ergonomics Standard with the Senate voting 56 to 44 on March 7 and the House voting 223 to 203 on March 8, 2001 President Bush signed the joint resolution on March 20, 2001
REGULATIONS The effect is that the OSHA Ergonomics Standard is REPEALED – There is no Federal Law!! NOTE:OSHA still has some regulatory “bite” in this area by virtue of the infamous “General Duty Clause” (OSHA Sec. 5(a)(1))
REGULATIONS OSHA General Duty Clause Each employer “shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees”
REGULATIONS What’s Next ? Several interested parties including Labor Unions, Business and associations such as ASSE have been meeting with Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao to formulate a new standard that will be acceptable to all stake-holders The federal ergonomics regulations are being proposed on an industry by industry basis
ERGONOMICS Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are occupational disorders that involve soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood vessels and nerves
ERGONOMICS WMSDs are: • Daily stress to anatomical structures that may occur when a person is exposed to certain high risk activities • If the accumulating stress exceeds the body’s normal recuperative ability, inflammation of the tissue can follow • Chronic inflammation may lead to the development of WMSDs • May require weeks, months or years for development - and for recovery
ERGONOMICS What is The Musculoskeletal System? The Musculoskeletal System includes the following: • Bones – The load-bearing structure of the body • Muscles- Tissue that contract to create movement • Tendons – Tissues that connect muscles to bones • Ligaments – Tissues that connect bones to bones • Cartilage – Tissue that provides cushioning and reduces friction between bones • Nerves – Communication system that links muscles, tendons and other tissue with the brain • Blood Vessels – Tubes that circulate nutrients throughout the body
ERGONOMICS What Are Examples of WMSDs? • Sprain – Overstretching or overexertion of a ligament that results in a tear or rupture of the ligament • Strain – Overstretching or overexertion of a muscle or tendon • Tendonitis – Inflammation of the tendon inside the sheath • Tenosynovitis – Inflammation of the sheath around the tendon • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the heel of the hand
ERGONOMICS What are Examples of WMSDs? • Tennis elbow or Golfer’s elbow – Medical term is Epicondylitis – inflammation of the tendons at the elbow. • Trigger Finger – Common term for tendonitis or tenosynovitis that causes painful locking of the finger(s) while flexing • Pitcher’s Shoulder – Rotator cuff tendonitis – inflammation of one or more tendons at the shoulder • White Finger – Medical term is Reynaud’s Phenomenon – constriction of the blood vessels in the hands and fingers • Digital Neuritis – Compression of the nerves along the sides of the fingers or thumbs
Tendonitis • Tendon function: • Transmit force from muscle to bone • Micro tears of tendon occur daily • Typically repair themselves • With repeated loading repair is not adequate • Pain / Inflammation
What Causes DeQuervain’s? • Wringing washcloths, clothes • Typing on the computer keyboard • Cutting with scissors • Sewing or pinching • Stirring food for a long period of time • Opening jars
Carpal Tunnel • Best known MSD • Compression of the median nerve at the wrist • Tunnel made up of nine flexor tendons and one peripheral nerve • Numbness and tingling on the thumb side of the hand
Reynaud’s Phenomenon or “White Finger” • Caused by operating vibrating machinery – especially in cold, damp weather
ERGONOMICS WMSDs are sometimes referred to using other unfamiliar terms such as : • Cumulative Trauma Disorders – CTD • Repetitive Trauma Disorders – RTD • Repetitive Strain Injuries – RSI • Repeated Motion Disorders – RMD • Overuse Syndromes
ERGONOMICS Signs or Symptoms of WMSDs • Painful joints • Pain in wrists, shoulders, forearms, knees, etc. • Pain, tingling or numbness in hands or feet • Fingers or toes turning white • Shooting or stabbing pains in arms or legs • Back or neck pain • Swelling or inflammation • Stiffness • Burning sensations • Weakness or clumsiness in hands; dropping things
Caution Zone "Caution Zone" What is a “Caution Zone” job?
Caution Zone "Caution Zone" Look for These Indicators: • Awkward Postures • High Hand Force • Highly Repetitive Motion • Repeated Impact • Heavy, Frequent or Awkward Lifting • Moderate to High Hand-Arm Vibration
Awkward Postures Being in these work positions for more than 2 hours total per day • Hands above head • Elbows above shoulder • Back bent forward more than 30 degrees • Neck bent more than 30 degrees • Squatting • Kneeling "Caution Zone"
Working with the Hands Above Head For more than 2 hours per day "Caution Zone"