Ergonomics Awareness

Ergonomics Awareness Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), UFCW (212) 684-5300

Musculoskeletal System • Bones • Muscles • Tendons • Ligaments • Cartilage • Nerves • Blood Vessels

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSDs) Examples of MSDs are: Low Back Pain Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tendonitis, Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow), Tenosynovitis, or Tendinosis DeQuervain’s Disease Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (Raynaud’s Syndrome) Ganglionic Cysts Bursitis

Symptoms of MSDs • Burning • Stiffness • Painful Joints • Numbness • Back and Neck Pain • Swelling and Inflammation • Pain and tingling in hands and feet • Pain in wrists, shoulders, forearms and knees.

Awkward Posture • Awkward work postures involve positions which don’t allow you to work with your arms at the side of the body, elbows bent, and straight wrists. • Awkward work postures include having to stretch or reach behind, above or to the side; working below the knees or overhead, kneeling, squatting, or bending forward or backward.

Repetitive Motion • Performing the same motions repeatedly. • How serious the risk is depends on how often the motions are repeated, the speed of the movement or action, the number of muscle groups involved, and the amount of force required. • Piece work, work monitoring, incentive programs, and unrealistic deadlines can all increase the risk of repetitive motion injuries.

Physical Force • Force is the amount of physical effort required by the person to do a task and maintain control of a load, tools or equipment. • The amount of physical force required depends on many factors including: ∗Type of activity ∗Size, weight, and ease of moving an object ∗Body posture ∗Amount of vibration ∗Duration of the task and ∗Repetitiveness of task

Lifting • Lifting and loading for sustained periods of time require muscles contract. • As muscles remain contracted, blood flow to many parts of the body is reduced. • Lifting too often and too much can cause back injuries.

Contact Stress • Mechanical contact stress is the contact of the body with a hard surface or edge that results in the pinching or crushing of tissue. • Contact stress can also result when you use a part of the body as a hammer or striking instrument.

Temperatures Too much heat or cold can lead to MSDs: • Low temperatures reduce the sense of touch, dexterity, blood flow, muscle strength, and balance. • High temperatures increase the rate at which the body fatigues.

Vibration • Vibration, from equipment or hand tools, can go through the hand and arm and travel throughout the rest of the body. • Vibration can affect the lower back, especially when driving a vehicle. • Vibration reduces the blood flow and sensory response.

Poorly Fitted Equipment • Poorly fitted gloves reduce dexterity and feeling, resulting in a need to use more muscle force. • Poorly fitted gloves also make it harder to hold onto objects, creating a problem when lifting.

ERGONOMICS Comes from the Greek Ergon-meaning Work And Nomos-meaning Law Ergonomics is the science of making the job demands fit the person, not the person fit the job.

Ergonomic Programs • An ergonomic program is a systematic means of evaluating, managing and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. • Ergonomics programs should contain four elements.

Worksite AnalysisRecords Review • Conduct a survey of members concentrating on symptoms. • Review company records to identify patterns of injuries to help find the jobs and worksites that may have musculoskeletal hazards. • Review OSHA 300 log of Injuries and Illnesses. • Review job descriptions.

* Worksite Analysis A safety and health review that evaluates job tasks and demands, and workstation design to identify the existence of musculoskeletal hazards, which could lead to the development of work-related musculoskeletal injuries.

Hazard Prevention and Control Eliminating or reducing the hazards identified in the worksite analysis by modifying the jobs or workstations, or tools to better fit the worker.

* Medical Management Medical Management includes encouraging the prompt reporting of symptoms, the effective use of health-care resources to provide prompt treatment, and case management that encourages a safe return to work to jobs that match the physical capabilities of the worker and minimize their risk of re-injury.

Worker Involvement • Adds greater knowledge and experience, and increases problem solving capabilities. • Can enhance worker job satisfaction. • Helps increase acceptance of necessary work changes. • Builds greater knowledge of work organization.

* Training and Education The goal of training and education is to help both workers and employers to be more aware of work-related MSDs, including how to identify and effectively reduce potential risk factors.

Physical Conditioning Physical conditioning helps increase blood flow and muscle tone. It could include: • Regular exercise • Weight control • Smoking cessation • Light alcohol consumption

Medical Diagnosis Medical Diagnosis for MSDs may include: • Occupational and medical histories including thorough review of job tasks. • Diagnostic tests such as nerve conduction studies and X rays.

Medical TreatmentMay Include: • Anti-inflammation medication such as aspirin. • Occupational or physical therapy • Limited use of immobilization devices, such as splints & braces, to reduce stress on the injured body part. • Surgery

Examples of Ergonomic Changes That Reduce the Risks of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Rest Breaks • Key to reducing MSDs. • Workers should take short breaks every hour to rest muscles. • Reminders to take breaks can be added to computer programs.

Awkward Posture • Redesign jobs to reduce awkward work postures. • Train workers on proper posture and work methods. • Tasks that can be done sitting down can reduce the strain on the back, legs, and feet. • Keeping objects to be handled close and in front of the worker.

Bending / Reaching • Adjustable workstation/surface will help to eliminate bending and reaching. • Store objects in close proximity to the person using them. • Work as much as possible in a neutral position.

Repetitive Motion • Substitute power tools for manual ones to help reduce the risk of repetitive hand and wrist motions. • Automate highly repetitive tasks by using staplers, sorters, labelers and filling machines. • Redesign jobs to include tasks that don’t use the same muscle groups. • Rotate jobs so workers are using the same parts of their bodies continually. • Take regular rest breaks.

Physical Force • Use mechanically assisted devices for awkward lifts. • Keep equipment properly maintained to prevent jamming and sticking. • Provide adequate work space to perform tasks. • Push loads rather than pulling whenever possible. • Make objects easier to move smoothly.

Lifting • Have enough help to lift when needed. • Using a cart to move materials instead of lifting and carrying them. • Make sure loads are balanced. • Make sure pathways are clear.

Work Organizational Issues • Work pay systems based on the speed of production (ex. piece work, production quotas) may encourage workers to not follow safety procedures such as not using proper lifting techniques or trying to lift too much.

Temperatures • Provide adequate heating, cooling and ventilation. • Provide regular breaks to cooler or warmer environments. • Provide an adequate supply of water, especially in hot weather. • Protect hands and feet from cold if environmental conditions cannot be controlled.

Gripping a tool • Choose tools that better fit the hand. • Give workers equipment with curved handles so they won’t have to bend their wrists unnaturally. • Select tools that can bend or are shaped to prevent awkward wrist or shoulder postures. • Select balanced tools that can be held at the center of gravity. • Use counterweights or supports to minimize the weight of a tool.

Ergonomics Awareness