Workplace Ergonomics

1
Workplace Ergonomics

• Matching The Workplace
• With The Employee

2
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

3
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

4
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 persons capabilities, physical attributes, and
  work habits must be recognized to improve
  ergonomic factors in the workplace

5
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 31 in sustaining Carpel
  Tunnel Syndrome
• WMSDs account for 2.5 billion in direct costs
  and another 110 billion in indirect costs

6
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

7
Ergonomic Related Injuries and Illnesses

• May be called
• CTDs (cumulative trauma disorders)
• RSIs (repetitive stress injuries)
• RMIs ( repetitive motion injuries)
• Which are all considered MSDs
• MSDs can affect muscles, joints, bones and
  spinal disks

8
Common Types of MSDs

• Tendonitis
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Tennis Elbow
• Neck and/or back injuries
• Strains and/or Sprains
• Bursitis
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Trigger Finger

9
Risk Factors and Causes of MSDs

• Repetitive activities
• Static force
• Awkward posture
• Static posture
• Contact stress
• Temperature extremes
• Vibration
• Psycho Social (stress caused by others)

10
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 individuals well being at home or at
  work

11
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

12
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

13
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

14
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

15
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

16
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

17
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

18
Psycho-Social Issues

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

19
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.

20
Correct The Environment

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

21
Improve Posture And Habits

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

22
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

23
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

24
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

25
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

26
Improve Work Techniques and Habits

• Train employees on appropriate postures
• Adjust furniture to best fit the employee when in
  a working position
• Dont allow habits to dictate impending injury or
  illness

27
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

28
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

29
Administrative Controls

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

30
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

31
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

32
Results Of Proper Ergonomics

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