Workplace Ergonomics

Workplace Ergonomics Matching The Workplace With The Employee

What Will Be Covered • What is Ergonomics? • Ergonomic statistics • Benefits of an Ergonomic System • Ergonomic related injuries and illnesses • Causes of Ergonomic related injuries and illnesses

What Will Be Covered? • Identifying Ergonomic Risk Factors • Office Ergonomics • Industrial Ergonomics • Control Strategies to minimize risk • What you can do to prevent injury or illness

What Is Ergonomics? • Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of employees • Ergonomic principles are used to improve the “fit” between the employee and the workplace • A practical approach to Ergonomics considers the match between the person, the equipment they use, the processes, and the work environment • A person’s capabilities, physical attributes, and work habits must be recognized to improve ergonomic factors in the workplace

Ergonomic Statistics • 90% of all office workers use a computer • In 1999, work related musculoskeletal disorders reached 285,000 cases • Carpel Tunnel Syndrome comprises 18% of all workplace illnesses and injuries • Women outnumber men 3:1 in sustaining Carpel Tunnel Syndrome • WMSD’s account for $2.5 billion in direct costs and another $110 billion in indirect costs

Benefits of an Ergonomic Program • Decreased injuries, illnesses, and Workers Comp claims • Increased efficiency at work • Increased physical well being • Decreased absenteeism and turnover • Increase in employee morale

Ergonomic Related Injuries and Illnesses • May be called: • CTD’s (cumulative trauma disorders) • RSI’s (repetitive stress injuries) • RMI’s ( repetitive motion injuries) • Which are all considered MSD’s • MSD’s can affect muscles, joints, bones and spinal disks

Common Types of MSD’s • Tendonitis • Carpel Tunnel Syndrome • Tennis Elbow • Neck and/or back injuries • Strains and/or Sprains • Bursitis • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome • Trigger Finger

Risk Factors and Causes of MSD’s • Repetitive activities • Static force • Awkward posture • Static posture • Contact stress • Temperature extremes • Vibration • Psycho Social (stress caused by others)

Identifying Risk Factors • Risk factors are conditions or circumstances that increase the chances of developing a MSD • The likelihood of developing an injury is dependent on the frequency and duration of exposure • Both occupational and personal risk factors can affect an individual’s well being at home or at work

Repetition • Occurs when the same or approximately the same movements are performed frequently • Repetition can also occur when different tasks are performed that have the same movements • Injury may result from repetition when the tissues do not have adequate time to recover

Force • Force is the amount of physical effort required to do a task or maintain control of tools or equipment • A pinch grip produces 3-5 times more force on tendons in the wrist than a grip with the whole hand • With excessive force, the muscles are contracting much harder than normal, this can lead to stress on the muscles, tendons, and joints

Awkward Posture • This is a deviation from the “neutral” body position • A “neutral” body position is the safest and most efficient position in which to do work • Awkward body posture puts stress on muscles, tendons and joints

Static Posture • Static posture occurs when one position is held for a prolonged period • The muscles will become fatigued from a lack of blood flow during this time • This fatigue can lead to discomfort and even injury of illness

Contact Stress • Contact stress is caused by any sharp or hard object putting localized pressure on a part of the body • Contact stress will irritate local tissues and interfere with blood circulation and nerve function

Temperature Extremes • Environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold can produce stress on tissues • Extreme cold constricts blood vessels and reduces sensitivity and coordination of body parts • Excessive heat can result in increased fatigue and heat stress

Vibration • Exposure to vibration can occur while using power tools or while driving equipment • Vibration from power tools can place stress on the tissues of the fingers, hands, and arms • Whole body vibration from driving puts stress on the spinal cord, vertebra, and disks

Psycho-Social Issues • Stress, boredom, job dissatisfaction, and anxiety can contribute to the possibility of developing MSD’s • Psycho-social issues can create increased muscle tension and reduce awareness of work technique and work pride

Office Ergonomics • By applying ergonomic principles to the office setting, risk factors are minimized, productivity is increased, and overall workplace quality is improved • The work station must be adjusted to promote a neutral position while a person works • When adjusting a workstation, keep in mind that all of the equipment interacts. Making one adjustment may alter another.

Correct The Environment • Check the lighting, noise, and temperature • Check work pace and stress levels • Check length of work times • Check work processes

Improve Posture And Habits • Modify to correct hand and wrist motions • Improve neck and back postures • Consider personal preferences, allow if not detrimental

Industrial Ergonomics(Outside The Office) • Ergonomic principles outside the office also work should be developed and implemented • Proper lifting and carrying should be stressed • Tool quality and care should be a high priority • Injury/illness prevention work practices should be developed and stressed for each task

Arrange The Work Area • Consider and evaluate the base of support for each duty • Arrange reach areas to best support the majority of work to be done • Place materials and equipment with availability and efficiency in mind

Choose Appropriate Tools • Ensure at least good quality tools are provided for each task • Be sure the tools match the task • When “fit” is to be considered, assure tools fit the user • Immediately repair or replace damaged or broken tools

Correct The Environment • Adjust lighting, reduce noise, adjust temperature • Provide PPE for each hazard • Adjust work pace to appropriate levels • Review and revise work processes as needed

Improve Work Techniques and Habits • Train employees on appropriate postures • Adjust furniture to best fit the employee when in a working position • Don’t allow habits to dictate impending injury or illness

Control Strategies • Develop and implement control strategies to increase quality and efficiency • Base control strategies on identified risk factors • Review frequently, maybe daily and adjust as needed

Engineering Controls • Appropriate initial design of the work station or work area • Improving the design of existing work area or equipment • Providing necessary equipment and accessories • Adjusting the work station layout and equipment

Administrative Controls • Training employees in work methods • Varying or rotating work tasks • Limiting extended work hours • Providing and requiring mini-breaks

Personal Protective Equipment • PPE acts as a barrier between a person and a hazard • PPE is only appropriate in situations when engineering controls cannot be implemented • Back belts and other braces not considered PPE. Should not be used in place of correct work techniques

Injury/Illness Prevention • Develop and implement an Ergonomics program • Take proper breaks • Maintain adequate level of health and fitness • Be aware of activities away from work and how these activities affect work

Results Of Proper Ergonomics • Employees work smarter, not harder • Quality, comfort and safety make employees more productive and happy • Affected employee attitude is contagious

Workplace Ergonomics