Ergonomics

1. Ergonomics An Overview Paul Schlumper, CSP, P.E. Georgia Tech Research Institute

2. We Will Discuss • Ergonomics Overview • Ergonomic Hazards or Risk Factors • Control Techniques • OSHA’s Strategy

3. What is Ergonomics? • The study of work; OR • The discipline that matches the job to the worker

4. Multi-Disciplinary Nature of Ergonomics • Anatomy and Physiology • Engineering Psychology • Engineering • Medicine • Anthropology • Biomechanics

5. Benefits of Ergonomics • Decreased risk of injury • Increased productivity • Increased quality and efficiency • Decrease lost work days • Decrease turnover • Improve morale

6. Musculoskeletal Injuries • Work-related MusculoSkeletal Disorders - WMSD • Repetitive Strain Injuries - RSI • Repetitive Motion Injuries - RMI • Cumulative Trauma Disorders - CTD • Occupational Overuse Syndrome - OOS • WRULD • Low Back Pain

7. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?

8. Workplace Indicators • Performance deterioration • Quality problems • Absenteeism/turnover • OSHA Logs and WC Reports • Complaints of fatigue and discomfort

9. Ergonomic Hazards (Risk Factors) • Awkward working postures • Static postures • Forceful exertions • Repetitive movements • Pace of work • Point pressures • Temperature extremes • Vibration

10. Ergonomic Risk Factors To contribute to MSDs, risk factors must be present for sufficient duration, frequency, or magnitude

11. UPPER EXTREMITY RISK FACTORS

12. Organizational Influences • Wage system • Quality Control • Management-Labor Relations • Machine-paced vs. self-paced work • Overtime • Shift work • Rest breaks

13. Non-Work-Related Factors • Physical conditioning • Medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, arthritis) • Pregnancy • Hobbies (hand-intensive or manual handling)

14. ErgonomicsControl Techniques • Engineering Controls • Work Practices • Administrative Controls • Personal Protective Equipment

15. Engineering Controls Work station design Work methods Tool design Reducing or spreading force Obtaining better mechanical advantage ErgonomicsControl Techniques

16. Workstation Design Guidelines • Reduce static component and allow worker to use optimal posture (midpoint of limbs range of motion) • Avoid forward reaches in excess of 16” • Elbows down close to the body flexor angle around 90 degrees • Sit-Stand preferred but rarely seen • Use gravity do not work against it • Avoid the need for excessive head movement • Avoid compression against hard/non-rounded edges

17. Work Practices Task Enlargement Work techniques Conditioning ErgonomicsControl Techniques

18. Administrative Controls Job rotation Maintenance of equipment & environment Rest breaks Increase number of employees Physical conditioning Relief personnel Medical management ErgonomicsControl Techniques

19. ErgonomicsMedical Management • Accurate injury & illness recording. • Early recognition & reporting. • Conservative treatment. • Medical treatment & rehabilitation for disabling injuries. • Baseline health and workplace assessments. • Medical participation in workplace design.

20. Personal Protective Equipment CAREFUL! Wrist supports Gloves Braces Splints Abdominal belts ErgonomicsControl Techniques

21. Ideal Computer Workstation Posture

22. EMPLOYEE CONTROLS

23. UPPER/LOWER BACK

24. ErgonomicsBack Disorders • Approximately 20% of all work-related injuries. • Approximately 25% of annual workers’ compensation payments. • Most frequently injured body part according to the NSC.

25. ErgonomicsBack Disorders Manual Lifting Risk Factors • Weight • Location (center of gravity) • Frequency, Duration, Pace • Stability • Hand holds (techniques) • Workplace Layout (obstacles) • Posture (Torso flex, twisting, arms extended) • Environmental Factors (lighting, friction, temperature, humidity, vibration, PPE, personal risk factors)

26. Minimize reach, lift, and carry distances Keep off floor (Lift from knuckle height) Work station design Limit travel distance to less than 10 feet Frequency Relax time standard Rotation Work-Rest allowances Minimize Weight Mechanical aids Carton capacity Balance contents Minimize Twisting Provide Good Handles Convert: Carry to push/pull Push over pull Use large wheels Job Design - Lower Back

27. WORKPLACE USE OF BACK BELTSNIOSH 94-122 • Insufficient Data that belts significantly reduce trunk loading • Insufficient data that wearing reduces risk of injury based on IAP and EMG • May strain cardiovascular system • Insufficient data that discontinuation of use increases risk among healthy workers • * NIOSH does not recommend as prevention tool

28. ErgonomicsProgram Elements • Management commitment & employee participation • Hazard information and reporting • Job hazard analysis • Hazard prevention & control • Medical management • Training • Program evaluation

29. Information Sources 1. Elements of Ergonomic Programs NIOSH 97-117 www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html 2. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors NIOSH 97-141 3. Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting NIOSH 81-122 4. Cumulative Trauma Disorders: A Manual for MSDs of the Upper Limbs, Putz-Anderson 5. Fitting the Task to the Man, Grandjean Taylor and Francis 1-800-821-8312 6. Ergonomics: The Study of Work, OSHA, www.OSHA.gov

30. REFERENCES Applications guide for the revised NIOSH lifting equation NTIS PB94-176930 (703) 487-4650 $12.00 NTIS PB91-226274 Scientific Documentation Elements of Ergonomic Programs NIOSH 97-117 1-800-35-NIOSH Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors NIOSH 97-141 Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting NIOSH 81-122

31. REFERENCES (continued) Cumulative Trauma Disorders: A Manual for MSDs of the Upper Limbs, Putz-Anderson Fitting the Task to the Man, Grandjean Taylor and Francis 1-800-821-8312 Methodological Limitations in the Study of VDT use and UEMDs Gerr, Marcus, Ortiz, American J. Ind. Med. 29:649-656 (1996) www.OSHA.gov Dan Ortiz, Georgia Tech (404) 894-8276 www.oshainfo.gatech.edu

32. Ergonomics –A Comprehensive Plan April 5, 2002

33. “Our goal is to help workers by reducing ergonomic injures in the shortest possible time frame. This plan is a major improvement over the rejected rule because it will prevent ergonomics injuries before they occur and reach a much larger number of at-risk workers.” Elaine L. Chao Secretary of Labor April 5, 2002

34. Comprehensive Plan on Ergonomics – A 21st Century Response: • Industry and Task - Specific Guidelines • Enforcement • Outreach and Assistance • Advancing Research

35. Industry and Task-Specific Guidelines: • Work with stakeholders to develop industry and task-specific guidelines for industries and particular hazards • We will begin releasing guidelines this year

36. Enforcement: • Crack down on bad actors by coordinating inspections with a legal strategy designed for successful prosecution • For the first time, OSHA will have an enforcement plan designed to target prosecutable ergonomic violations • For the first time, OSHA will have special ergonomics inspection teams that work closely with DOL attorneys and experts to successfully bring 5(a)(1) prosecutions

37. Outreach and Assistance: • Provide tools to help workplaces reduce and prevent ergonomic injuries: • Provide expertise to assist businesses and workers • Support programs through training grants, curriculum development and other means • Design compliance assistance tools, new partnerships and recognition programs • Encourage others to develop best practices

38. Research: • Establish a national advisory committee and work with NIOSH to address research needs • Identify gaps in research related to the application of ergonomic principles in the workplace • Work with NIOSH and through the NORA process to encourage research in needed areas

39. Strategy for Success: • Goals: • Decrease ergonomic hazards • Reduce injuries and illnesses • Ensure flexibility and encourage innovation • Help employers prevent MSDs This is the best approach to achieve results quickly.