1 Ergonomics A science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks,workstations, tools and equipment

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ErgonomicsErgonomics

A science that focuses on human A science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks,workstations, design of work tasks,workstations, tools and equipment.tools and equipment.

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People Are DifferentPeople Are Different

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People Have Physical LimitationsPeople Have Physical Limitations

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People Have Emotional People Have Emotional LimitationsLimitations

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Cumulative Trauma DisordersCumulative Trauma Disorders

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300,000 disorders associated with repeated 300,000 disorders associated with repeated trauma according to BLS.trauma according to BLS.

$27 billion annually in direct worker’s $27 billion annually in direct worker’s compensation costs.compensation costs.

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A group of musculoskeletal and nerve disorders A group of musculoskeletal and nerve disorders often caused by long-term exposure to often caused by long-term exposure to repeated,forceful, awkward movements of the repeated,forceful, awkward movements of the limbs and/or joints.limbs and/or joints.

These injuries occur slowly over time and These injuries occur slowly over time and frequently affect the upper extremities and back.frequently affect the upper extremities and back.

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Types of Cumulative Trauma Types of Cumulative Trauma DisordersDisorders TendonitisTendonitis Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome Cubital Tunnel SyndromeCubital Tunnel Syndrome EpicondylitisEpicondylitis Thoracic Outlet SyndromeThoracic Outlet Syndrome DeQuervain’s DiseaseDeQuervain’s Disease

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Symptoms of Cumulative Symptoms of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Trauma Disorders DiscomfortDiscomfort PainPain SwellingSwelling NumbnessNumbness Pins and NeedlesPins and Needles Reduced range of motionReduced range of motion Loss of strengthLoss of strength

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Costs to the EmployerCosts to the Employer

Insurance PremiumsInsurance Premiums Medical CostsMedical Costs Absenteeism/TurnoverAbsenteeism/Turnover Re-TrainingRe-Training Decrease in ProductionDecrease in Production Decrease in QualityDecrease in Quality

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Costs to the EmployeesCosts to the Employees

Pain/SufferingPain/Suffering StressStress Loss of ability to workLoss of ability to work Loss of wagesLoss of wages Loss of ability to enjoy lifeLoss of ability to enjoy life

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Indicators of NeedIndicators of Need

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Employee Generated ChangeEmployee Generated Change Manual Material HandlingManual Material Handling Seasonal HiringSeasonal Hiring DownsizingDownsizing Over-timeOver-time Incentive Programs Incentive Programs

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ComplaintsComplaints AbsenteeismAbsenteeism TurnoverTurnover Accident TrendsAccident Trends Poor QualityPoor Quality Decrease in ProductionDecrease in Production

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Why Now?Why Now?

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Ergonomics Program Ergonomics Program Management GuidelinesManagement GuidelinesFor Meatpacking PlantsFor Meatpacking Plants

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Meatpacking Guidelines Program Meatpacking Guidelines Program ElementsElements Workplace AnalysisWorkplace Analysis Hazard Prevention and ControlHazard Prevention and Control Medical ManagementMedical Management Education and TrainingEducation and Training

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Management Commitment and Management Commitment and

Employee InvolvementEmployee Involvement

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Management CommitmentManagement Commitment

Written policies and proceduresWritten policies and procedures Resources to support programResources to support program Assign and communicate responsibilitiesAssign and communicate responsibilities Provide adequate authorityProvide adequate authority AccountabilityAccountability VisibilityVisibility

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Employee ParticipationEmployee Participation

Provide suggestionsProvide suggestions Participate in inspections and JHAsParticipate in inspections and JHAs Actively participate in trainingActively participate in training Report hazards immediatelyReport hazards immediately Become involved in committeesBecome involved in committees Work safelyWork safely

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Workplace AnalysisWorkplace Analysis

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Objectives of Workplace AnalysisObjectives of Workplace Analysis

Identifies existing hazards and conditions, Identifies existing hazards and conditions, operations that create hazards, and areas operations that create hazards, and areas where hazards may develop.where hazards may develop.

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Risk FactorsRisk Factors

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Risk FactorsRisk Factors

The conditions of a job that contribute to The conditions of a job that contribute to the risk of developing CTDs.the risk of developing CTDs.

Presence of risk factors does not indicate Presence of risk factors does not indicate that injuries are going to occur.that injuries are going to occur.

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PosturePosture

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Awkward PostureAwkward Posture

Deviations from neutral positions.Deviations from neutral positions. The greater the degree of deviation, the The greater the degree of deviation, the

higher the risk.higher the risk.

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Awkward PostureAwkward Posture

Changing or altering the tool or equipmentChanging or altering the tool or equipment Moving or changing the orientation of the Moving or changing the orientation of the

part or work surfacepart or work surface Changing the position of the workerChanging the position of the worker

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Static/Sustained PostureStatic/Sustained Posture

When a worker must maintain an When a worker must maintain an unsupported position for an extended period unsupported position for an extended period of time.of time.

Identification of risk through observationIdentification of risk through observation

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End Range PostureEnd Range Posture

Refers to moving a joint as far as it will go Refers to moving a joint as far as it will go or close to its maximum.or close to its maximum.

Stress is on the muscles,tendons and Stress is on the muscles,tendons and ligaments as they are stretched to end range.ligaments as they are stretched to end range.

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Forceful ExertionsForceful Exertions

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The amount of work the joints,muscles, and The amount of work the joints,muscles, and tendons must do to perform the task.tendons must do to perform the task.

The higher the force, the more risk of The higher the force, the more risk of fatigue, loss of strength, and injury to fatigue, loss of strength, and injury to muscles, tendons and joints.muscles, tendons and joints.

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Maintain neutral postureMaintain neutral posture Reduce the force Reduce the force Spread the force Spread the force Maintain toolsMaintain tools Power with motors not musclesPower with motors not muscles Reduce the weightReduce the weight Add hand holdsAdd hand holds

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RepetitionRepetition

Refers to a task or series of motions Refers to a task or series of motions performed over andperformed over and over again with very over again with very little variation.little variation.

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RepetitionRepetition

Automation Automation MechanizationMechanization Job RotationJob Rotation Task EnlargementTask Enlargement Frequent breaksFrequent breaks

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Contact StressContact Stress

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Contact StressContact Stress

An outside force coming in contact with the An outside force coming in contact with the soft or unprotected part of the employee’s soft or unprotected part of the employee’s body.body.

The amount of damage is dependent on the The amount of damage is dependent on the sensitivity of the exposed body part.sensitivity of the exposed body part.

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VibrationVibration

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VibrationVibration

Damage to blood vesselsDamage to blood vessels Increased muscle fatigueIncreased muscle fatigue Damage to spineDamage to spine Vision problemsVision problems HeadachesHeadaches InsomniaInsomnia

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VibrationVibration

Reduce the vibration/modify speed Reduce the vibration/modify speed Equipment maintenanceEquipment maintenance Vehicle suspension systems Vehicle suspension systems Reduced exposure Reduced exposure Rest breaksRest breaks Adequate padding/absorption system Adequate padding/absorption system EducationEducation

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EnvironmentalEnvironmental

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Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

TemperatureTemperature NoiseNoise LightingLighting Air QualityAir Quality

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Parts of a Workplace AnalysisParts of a Workplace Analysis

Gathering InformationGathering Information Baseline Screening SurveysBaseline Screening Surveys Job Hazard AnalysisJob Hazard Analysis Follow-upsFollow-ups

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Gathering InformationGathering Information

OSHA Form 200OSHA Form 200 Medical RecordsMedical Records Insurance RecordsInsurance Records Safety RecordsSafety Records Personnel RecordsPersonnel Records

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Baseline Screening SurveysBaseline Screening Surveys

Should be conducted on all jobs showing Should be conducted on all jobs showing potential ergonomic risk exposure.potential ergonomic risk exposure.

Identifies jobs that place workers at risk of Identifies jobs that place workers at risk of developing CTDs.developing CTDs.

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Job Hazard AnalysisJob Hazard Analysis

Select the jobSelect the job Step by Step BreakdownStep by Step Breakdown Identification of HazardsIdentification of Hazards RecommendationsRecommendations ImplementationImplementation Follow-upFollow-up

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Periodic ReviewPeriodic Review

Unnoticed risk factorsUnnoticed risk factors Failures in engineering and/or work practice Failures in engineering and/or work practice

controlscontrols

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Hazard Prevention and Control Hazard Prevention and Control

Design of the Work StationDesign of the Work Station Design of the Work TaskDesign of the Work Task Design of the Tools/EquipmentDesign of the Tools/Equipment

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Design for AdjustabilityDesign for Adjustability

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Design for ExtremesDesign for Extremes

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Engineering ControlsEngineering Controls

The preferred methodThe preferred method Makes the job fit the personMakes the job fit the person Workstation Design/modificationWorkstation Design/modification Work Method Design/modificationWork Method Design/modification Tool/Equipment Design/modification Tool/Equipment Design/modification

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Work Practice ControlsWork Practice Controls

Procedures for safe workProcedures for safe work Instruction in proper work techniquesInstruction in proper work techniques Training and conditioningTraining and conditioning Maintenance schedulesMaintenance schedules MonitoringMonitoring EnforcementEnforcement FeedbackFeedback

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Administrative ControlsAdministrative Controls

Meant to reduce the duration, frequency and severity Meant to reduce the duration, frequency and severity of exposures.of exposures.

Decreasing production ratesDecreasing production rates Limiting overtimeLimiting overtime Provide rest breaksProvide rest breaks Job RotationJob Rotation Task enlargementTask enlargement Increase number of employeesIncrease number of employees

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Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

Assess your hazardsAssess your hazards Provide in a variety of sizesProvide in a variety of sizes Should not contribute to extreme postures Should not contribute to extreme postures

and excessive forces.and excessive forces. ““Braces, splints, back belts, and other Braces, splints, back belts, and other

similar devices are not PPE.” similar devices are not PPE.”

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MedicalMedical ManagementManagement

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Purpose of Medical ManagementPurpose of Medical Management

To eliminate or reduce the risk of injuries To eliminate or reduce the risk of injuries through early identification and treatment.through early identification and treatment.

To prevent future problems through To prevent future problems through rehabilitation and training.rehabilitation and training.

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Medical Management Program Medical Management Program ElementsElements Accurate injury and illness recordingAccurate injury and illness recording Early recognition and reportingEarly recognition and reporting Conservative treatment/ReferralConservative treatment/Referral MonitoringMonitoring Baseline Health AssessmentBaseline Health Assessment Light-Duty/Restricted DutyLight-Duty/Restricted Duty

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Education and TrainingEducation and Training

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To ensure that employees are informed To ensure that employees are informed about the ergonomic hazards to which they about the ergonomic hazards to which they might be exposed, and therefore able to might be exposed, and therefore able to participate in their own protection.participate in their own protection.

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General TrainingGeneral Training Job Specific TrainingJob Specific Training Managers and SupervisorsManagers and Supervisors Maintenance PersonnelMaintenance Personnel

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ObjectivesObjectives

Describe the elements of an effective Describe the elements of an effective ergonomic program.ergonomic program.

Describe the impact of workplace design on Describe the impact of workplace design on the development ergonomic disorders.the development ergonomic disorders.

Recommend workplace improvements to Recommend workplace improvements to reduce risk factors.reduce risk factors.

Documents

1 Ergonomics A science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks,workstations, tools and equipment