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ERGONOMICS BASICS FOR EMPLOYERS This material was produced under grant numbers SH-22300-11-F-17 from the Occupational Safety and Health administration, U.S. Dept. 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.
WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? Ergonomics is the study of the ‘fit’ between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who perform the work…considering variability in human capabilities when designing, selecting, or modifying equipment, tools, work tasks, or the work environment. Source: Easy Ergonomics OR-OSHA
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS/ RISK FACTORS FOR MUSCULAR SKELETAL DISORDERs (MSDs) Environmental Conditions Posture Vibration Work Organization Repetition Contact Stress Force
WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT ERGONOMICS? Leading Cause of Workplace Injury: Ergonomic Hazards Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT ERGONOMICS How Much Do MSDs Cost Employers? 1 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2008 2 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2009 3 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2010 4 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2011
DIRECT COSTS ● Higher workers’ compensation premiums ● Medical services to assess & accommodate injured workers Source: Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA
INDIRECT COSTS ●Employee turnover increased ● Absenteeism increased ● Retraining needed ● Product quality affected Source: Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA
HOW DO YOU KNOW MIGHT HAVE AN ERGONOMICS PROBLEM? ● Employees report problems ● Employees modify tools, equipment ● Production bottlenecks ● Product quality affected ● Employee absentee/turnover increase ● OSHA 300 Log patterns ● Workers’ compensation cases increase
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE PICTURES? • WHERE’S THE ERGONOMIC HAZARD? • WHY DOES THIS HAZARD EXIST • WHAT’S CAUSING THE HAZARD?
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA
HOW CAN EMPLOYERS PREVENT/REDUCE ERGONOMIC HAZARDS? • Engineering Controls • Administrative Controls • Personal Protective Equipment
Be careful about how to fix the problem. The control should not eliminate one risk factor and create another.
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement • Job Analysis & Hazard Identification
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement • Job Analysis & Hazard Identification • Reporting System
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement • Job Analysis & Hazard Identification • Reporting System • Training & Education
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement • Job Analysis & Hazard Identification • Reporting System • Training & Education • Hazard Prevention & Control
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement • Job Analysis & Hazard Identification • Reporting System • Training & Education • Hazard Prevention & Control • Program Evaluation
A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM • Worker and Union Involvement • Job Analysis & Hazard Identification • Reporting System • Training & Education • Hazard Prevention & Control • Program Evaluation • Medical Management
OSHA’s authority on ergonomic hazards: OSHA Act Section (5) (a) (1) • Does a hazard exist? • Is the hazard recognized? • Is the hazard likely to cause serious harm? • Is there a feasible means to reduce the hazard?
WHERE TO GET HELP ● Your Industry Trade Association ● OSHA Consultation Service Illinois (217) 782-9386 Indiana (317) 232-2683
WHERE TO GET HELP ● NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation ● Universities
RESOURCES Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/3347.pdf OSHA ergonomic guidelines by industry, training, tools, success stories, program examples www.osha.gov NIOSH research on ergonomic hazards & solutions www.cdc.gov/niosh