Ergonomics

 Workplace Ergonomics 

What will be covered.

⚫ What is Ergonomics

⚫ Ergonomic Statistics

⚫ The benefits of an Ergonomic program

⚫ Ergonomic related injuries and their causes

⚫ Identifying Ergonomic Risk Factors

⚫ Office Ergonomics

⚫ Industrial Ergonomics

⚫ Control Strategies to minimize risk ⚫What you can do to prevent injury

What is Ergonomics?

⚫ Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of employees. ( U.S. Dept.of Health)

⚫ Ergonomic principles are used to improve the “fit” between the worker and the workplace.

⚫ A practical approach to Ergonomics considers the match between the person, the equipment they use the work processes and the work environment.

⚫ A persons capabilities, physical attributes and work habits must be recognized to improve ergonomic factors in the workplace.

Ergonomic Statistics 

⚫ 90% of all office workers use personal computers.

⚫ In 1997 work related musculoskeletal disorders reached 275,000 cases.

⚫ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome comprises 13% of all workplace injuries.

⚫ Women outnumber men 3:1 sustaining Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

⚫ WMSD’s account for $20 billion in direct costs each year and $100 billion in indirect costs.

The benefits of an ergonomic program

⚫ Decreased injuries,illnesses, and workers’ compensation costs.

⚫ Increased efficiency at work.

⚫ Increased physical well being.

⚫ Decreased absenteeism and turnover.

⚫ Increase in employee morale.

Ergonomic related injuries 

⚫ May be called:

⚫ CTD’s (cumulative trauma disorders) 

⚫ RSI’s (repetitive stress injuries) ⚫RMI’s (repetitive motion injuries) ⚫Which are all considered:

⚫ MSD’s (musculoskeletal disorders) ⚫MSD’s can affect muscles, tendons, nerves, joints and spinal disks.

Common types of MSD’s

⚫ Tendonitis

⚫ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

⚫ Tennis Elbow

⚫ Neck and Back injuries

⚫ Strains/Sprains

⚫ Bursitis

⚫ Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

⚫ Trigger finger

Risk factors and causes of MSD’s

⚫ Repetition

⚫ Force

⚫ Awkward Posture

⚫ Static Posture

⚫ Contact Stress

⚫ Temperature Extremes

⚫ Vibration

⚫ Psycho Social 

Identifying Risk Factors

⚫ 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 to risk factors.

⚫ Both occupational and personal risk factors can affect an individuals well being at home or work.

Repetition

⚫ Occurs when the same or similar movements are performed frequently.

⚫ Repetition can also occur when different tasks are performed if those tasks 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 by a person to do a task or maintain control of tools or equipment.

⚫ A pinch grip produces 3-5 times more force on the 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.

 

⚫ Is a deviation from the “neutral” body position.

⚫ A “neutral” body position is safest and most efficient position in which to work.

⚫ Awkward posture puts stress on muscles, tendons and joints.

Static Posture

⚫ Static posture occurs when one position is held for a prolonged period of time.

⚫ The muscles will become fatigued from a lack of blood flow during a static posture.

⚫ This fatigue can lead to discomfort and even injury.

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 circulation and nerve function.

Temperature Extremes

⚫ Environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold can place 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, hand and arms.

⚫ Whole body vibration from driving puts stress on the spinal tissues.

Psycho-social Issues

⚫ Stress, boredom, job dissatisfaction and anxiety can contribute to the possibility of developing a MSD.

⚫ Psycho-social issues can create increased muscle tension and reduce a person’s awareness of work technique.

Office Ergonomics

⚫ By applying ergonomic principles to the office setting, risk factors are minimized, productivity is increased, and overall workplace quality is improved.

⚫ The workstation 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.

Adjusting the Workstation

⚫ Adjust the Chair.

⚫ Adjust reach requirements.

⚫ Adjust focal requirements.

Correct the Environment

⚫ Check lighting, noise and temperature.

⚫ Check work pace and stress levels.

⚫ Check work processes.

Improve Posture and Habits

⚫ Modify wrist/hand motions

⚫ Improve neck and back postures

⚫ Consider personal preferences

Industrial Ergonomics

⚫ By applying ergonomic principles in industrial settings, a safer, healthier and more productive work environment can be developed

⚫ Employees and employers need to know how to minimize risk factors by choosing the best tools and work techniques for a given task.

Arrange the work area

⚫ Consider the base of support.

⚫ Place equipment and materials where appropriate.

Choose the appropriate tools

⚫ Check the fit.

⚫ Make sure the tools match the task.

Correct the environment

⚫ Adjust lighting, noise and temperature when possible.

⚫ Check work pace.

⚫ Check work processes.

Improve work techniques and habits

⚫ Improve postures.

⚫ Check work techniques.

Control Strategies

⚫ The next step is to develop and implement control strategies to increase quality and productivity.

⚫ Once the risk factors and their causes are identified, control strategies can be implemented based on needs.

Engineering Controls

⚫ Appropriate initial design of the work station or work area.

⚫ Improving the design of the existing work area or equipment.

⚫ Providing necessary equipment and accessories.

⚫ Adjusting the work station layout and equipment.

Administrative Controls

⚫ Training workers in work methods.

⚫ Varying or rotating work tasks.

⚫ Limiting extended work hours.

⚫ Providing mini-breaks.

Personal Protective Equipment

⚫ PPE acts as a barrier between a person and a hazard.

⚫ PPE is only appropriate in situations when engineering or administrative controls cannot be implemented.

⚫ Back belts and other braces are not considered PPE. These devices should not be used in place of incorrect work techniques.

What you can do to prevent injury.

⚫ Develop an Ergonomics program.

⚫ Take proper breaks.

⚫ Health and Fitness.

⚫ Be aware of your hobbies away from work.

When Ergonomics are improved in the workplace:

⚫ We work smarter, not harder.

⚫ Quality, comfort and safety make us more productive and happy people.

⚫ Stay Healthy and Safe, Take action!!!