Ergonomics

1. Ergonomics

2. Enhanced Ergonomic • What Works with the Aging Workforce • As our workforce ages, we see an increase in the musculoskeletal disorders reported in occupational environments. Despite our best efforts the MSDs frequently persist. • Our focus is on proactive ergonomics through • PREVENTIONtechniques.

3. Goals/Objectives • Have an enhanced understanding of the persistentinjury. • Examine some of the facets of the aging workforce. • Understand ideas for PREVENTION, including • ergonomics & medical management issues, posture, body mechanics and fitness programs (Ergo Breaks).

4. What causes the persistent injury? • Poor Physical Fitness Levels • Older Workforce • Increased Work Load • More Physical Fatigue • More Mental Fatigue • Better Educated on MSDs • Static Work & Home Postures • One Size Fits All - - - Job, Home & Recreational Activities

5. How to control persistent injuries? • Apply ergonomics principles to job design (proactive NOT reactive ergonomics). • Match the physical demands of the job to the physical capabilities of the worker like we do in sports activities. • Educate the worker on their responsibility in ergonomics principles and self care. • Understand FATIGUE ! • Grow “Ergo Leaders“

6. Lack of perception to actual job risks

7. What Causes Most MSDs? • Pain and dysfunction are a result of staticand/or awkwardpostures especially when there is force, repetition or contact stress involved. • The tissues most often involved are the nerves, tendons and/or fascia. • “An Ergonomic injury is primarily a Nutrient Pathway Disorder.”

8. STATIC Muscle Activity

9. Aging Workforce

10. Aging Workforce • In 1972 the average age of the US worker was 28 • In 2007 the average age of the US worker was 46 • Currently their 18.2 million workers are 55 or older • It is estimated that by 2010 there will be 25.6 million workers will be 55 or older

11. Older Population Growth • 1 in 8 workers are in the 70 to 74 age group • By 2010 there will likely be a SEVERE LABOR SHORTAGE as “baby boomers” begin to retire • Research has shown that there is no relationship between age and on the job performance

12. Connective Tissue Changes • The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning between bones, changes. With less water content, the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As cartilage degenerates arthritis can develop. • Ligaments, connective tissues between bones, become less elastic, reducing flexibility. That is for most people….

14. How does this effect Ergonomics? • Older workers are 1/3 less likely than younger workers to be hurt severely enough to miss work • BUT Older workers tend to take twice as long to recover from injuries • AND Older workers are more likely to die of injuries than younger workers • Fatality rate per 100,000 workers: • 15 for workers 65 and older • 5 for workers between 25 - 34

15. Workforce issues for older workers that need to be addressed FOR EVERYONE • Hearing - loss (difficulty w/ sound discriminations or speech especially in noisy environments.) • Eyesight equity -(diminished depth perception, acuity, glare) • Strength – loss • Flexibility – loss (reach range decreased) • Reflexes - decreased • Hand-eye coordination – (diminished w/ decreased vision) • Endurance – decreased (earlier onset of fatigue) • Stamina – decreased (heat regulation a factor) • Balance – decreased (secondary to posture changes) • Sleep patterns – (difficulty adapting to changes in shifts effects rest)

16. Simple accommodations helpEVERYONE • Provide tools and workstations that avoid extremes in motion or positions • Larger knobs, switches, dials & Cognitive awareness in engineering • Tools & adaptive equipment for lifting, pushing or pulling- well maintained or powered

17. Vision and Aging • Presbyopia (prez-bee-OH-pee-uh) is a slow loss of ability to see close objects or small print. • You may not notice any change until after the age of 40. • People with presbyopia often hold reading materials at arm’s length. • Headaches or "tired eyes“ occur while reading or doing other close work.

18. Eye Functions • Ocular motility = frequent eye movement, relaxes muscles and causes blink • Focusing = Accommodation more difficult at single distance • Problems occur with onset of fatigue of eye muscles and leads to increased down time and blurred vision = more errors and decreased productivity. The American Optometric Assoc. 10-7-02 • Cataract victims may work better with White letters on Black background. Dr. Anshel-The Ergonomic Report 2003

19. Primary Ergonomic Risk Factors • Posture– awkward, static positions • Force - grip, pinch, push / pull, carry • Repetition - frequency & speed over time • Contact Stress - focused sustained or suddenly applied with compressive force • Vibration - segmental or whole body over time, frequency and amplitude

20. Ergonomic Risk Factor Modifiers • Risk of injury depends upon: • Duration of exposure (how long?) • Frequency of exposure (how often?) • Intensity of exposure (how much?) • Combinations of risk factors • Most injuries are a combination event, • Cumulative Trauma Injuries

21. Strain Index (SI) Exercise • A semi quantitative job analysis methodology that is designed to correlate with the risk of developing distal upper extremity disorders. The index is based on the interaction of task variables consistent with physiological, biomechanical and epidemiological principles. The SI develops a score based six task variables: • Intensity of exertion • Duration of exertion • Exertions per minute • Hand/wrist position • Speed of work • Duration of task per day

22. Strain Index (SI) Exercise • SI methodology’s, foundations, limitations and assumptions: • Applies only to upper extremities • Predicts upper extremity morbidity, not disorders • Designed to predict disorders of muscle-tendon units and CTS • Assess jobs, not workers • Describes exertion demands of a job, not mechanical compression • Relies on qualitative estimates • Differences in task variable ratings should be resolved by consensus

23. Strain Index (SI) Exercise • SI goal: • Evaluate potentially hazardous jobs • Systemically predict the physical demands of a given task • Identification of loss prevention measures that can be taken to minimize the potential of developing distal upper extremity and other musculoskeletal disorders

24. Strain Index (SI) Exercise • SI Components: • Intensity of exertion • Duration of exertion • Exertions per minute • Hand/wrist position • Speed of work • Duration of task per day

25. Strain Index Worksheet • Identify Task to be evaluated • Open SI Worksheet

26. Fatigue Physiologic impact on Musculoskeletal Disorders

27. What is REST? • Relief periods from exertion, movement or employment activities • Needed to recover from physical as well as mental work • It is influenced by work rate, intensity, duration, physical and/or mental fitness

28. Ways to get a Rest Break • Spontaneous – Just Stop • Administrative – Built into work schedule • Engineered – Pace of the machine • Hidden – Do light duty for a time • Ergo Breaks = 30 - 180 seconds

29. What determines productivity? • The speed of the machine? • OR • The speed of the worker? • OR • The Stamina of the worker?

30. The Stamina of the Worker • Errors (and injuries) increase and productivity decreases with worker FATIGUE

31. Fact • All tissue that has gone to fatigue due to OVER - use can recover with UNDER - use IF rest is applied in a timely manner. • Overuse that is unchecked leads to micro tears at the cellular level that can be extended by behavior, carelessness and inadequate recovery time.

32. Ergonomics Injury What happens to an injured worker?

33. Disc Circulation • Loading and unloading promotes circulation

34. Circulation and DYNAMIC WORK

35. Circulation and STATIC WORK • Static work increases pressure inside the muscle, along with the mechanical compression occludes blood circulation partially or totally. End product is hampered delivery of nutrients & oxygen leading to fatigue. • Also neurological signs over time. ILO Encyclopedia Drawing

36. Nutrient Pathway Obstruction Triggers • Poor equipment • Poor work habits • Unsafe work environments • Poor work station/task design • Stressful work environment • Home issues overflow

37. Sustain Nutrient Pathway Obstruction • Poor Posture habits & situations • High Repetitive Tasks • Heavy or Sustained Forces • Recurrent Contact Stress or Direct Pressure • Prolonged Vibration • Pathology / questionable health habits (tobacco use) • Poor Conditioning / Obesity

38. Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention • Ergonomic and Medical Management Issues • Posture • Body Mechanics • Fitness Programs • Ergo Breaks

39. Posture Awareness

40. Posture Awareness - Buys Time • Recommended Work or “Power Zones”

41. Posture Unawareness – Loses Time

42. Leverage is Everything Increasing the distance between the hand and Center of Gravity increases the stresses at fulcrum on the force generating tissues (low back) N = .22 pounds

43. Where are the tense muscles?

44. Summary • Fatigue is the limiting factor in productivity • Taking care of the needs of older workers helps ALL workers maintain a healthy body • Nutrient Pathway is managed by controlling the Primary Risk Factors. • Ergonomics and Ergo Equipment “buy” time before fatigue sets in. • Job Analysis will help find recurrent problem work areas • Ergo Leaders must be proactive at all levels.

45. Ergo breaks – Take them

46. Ergonomic Goals/Objectives • Have an enhanced understanding of the persistentinjury. • Examine some of the facets of the aging workforce. • Understand ideas for PREVENTION, including ergonomics & medical management issues, posture, body mechanics and fitness programs (Ergo Breaks).

47. This Presentation was developed by: • Jim Hedrick • VP – Loss Control Consultant • Arthur J. Gallagher – BSD • Cincinnati, OH