ErgonomicsErgonomicsErgonomics

The science of fitting the job to the workerThe science of fitting the job to the worker

MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ERGONOMICS

MULTIDISCIPLINARY MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ERGONOMICSNATURE OF ERGONOMICS

Anatomy and physiologyEngineering PsychologyEngineeringMedicineAnthropologyBiomechanics

Anatomy and physiologyEngineering PsychologyEngineeringMedicineAnthropologyBiomechanics

Benefits of ErgonomicsBenefits of ErgonomicsBenefits of Ergonomics

Decreased injury riskIncreased productivityDecreased mistakes/reworkIncreased efficiency

Decreased injury riskIncreased productivityDecreased mistakes/reworkIncreased efficiency

Decreased lost work daysDecreased turnoverImproved morale

Decreased lost work daysDecreased turnoverImproved morale

EROGONOMIC CONCEPTSEROGONOMIC CONCEPTSEROGONOMIC CONCEPTS

Tool design

Workstation Design

Material handling limits

Visual and auditory task design

Tool design

Workstation Design

Material handling limits

Visual and auditory task design

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSFACTORS

Noise

Vision

Thermal

Chemical

Noise

Vision

Thermal

Chemical

PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSPSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSPSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS

Machine PacingShift Work

Morale

Machine PacingShift Work

Morale

PHYSICALPHYSICALPHYSICAL

PostureForceRepetitionManual Materials Handling

PostureForceRepetitionManual Materials Handling

DESIGN AND DISEASEDESIGN AND DISEASEDESIGN AND DISEASEPOSTURE DISCOMFORTPOSTURE DISCOMFORT

Standing Legs, Feet, BackStanding Legs, Feet, Back

Sitting Neck, Back, ShouldersSitting Neck, Back, Shoulders

Reaching Shoulders, Upper ArmsReaching Shoulders, Upper Arms

Head Bent Back Cervical RegionHead Bent Back Cervical Region

Trunk Bent Forward Lumbar RegionTrunk Bent Forward Lumbar Region

STATIC EXERTIONSSTATIC EXERTIONSSTATIC EXERTIONS

Holding activitiesCarryingStandingPushing and pullingArms raised

Holding activitiesCarryingStandingPushing and pullingArms raised

EFFECTS OF STATIC EXERTION

EFFECTS OF STATIC EFFECTS OF STATIC EXERTIONEXERTION

When effort greater than or equal to 60 percent MVC blood flow almost completely interrupted.

15-20 percent MVC blood flow just about normal but still is associated with pain.

MVC less than or equal to eight percent can probably be maintained indefinitely.

When effort greater than or equal to 60 percent MVC blood flow almost completely interrupted.

15-20 percent MVC blood flow just about normal but still is associated with pain.

MVC less than or equal to eight percent can probably be maintained indefinitely.

WORKSTATION GUIDELINES

WORKSTATION WORKSTATION GUIDELINESGUIDELINES

Reduce static component and allow worker to use optimal posture

Optimal posture usually at midpoint of limbs range of motion

Avoid muscular insufficiency

Avoid forward reaches in excess of 16”

Elbows down close to the body flexor angle around 90 degrees

Reduce static component and allow worker to use optimal posture

Optimal posture usually at midpoint of limbs range of motion

Avoid muscular insufficiency

Avoid forward reaches in excess of 16”

Elbows down close to the body flexor angle around 90 degrees

WORKSTATION GUIDELINES (continued)

WORKSTATION WORKSTATION GUIDELINES (continued)GUIDELINES (continued)

Sit-Stand preferred but rarely seen

Use gravity do not work against it

Avoid the need for excessive head movement

Avoid compression Ischemia

Sit-Stand preferred but rarely seen

Use gravity do not work against it

Avoid the need for excessive head movement

Avoid compression Ischemia

WORKPLACE INDICATORSWORKPLACE INDICATORSWORKPLACE INDICATORS

Performance deterioration…EngineeringQuality Control problemsAbsenteeism and turn-over…Human ResourcesMusculoskeletal disorders…OSHA Logs WC reportsComplaints of fatigue and discomfort

Performance deterioration…EngineeringQuality Control problemsAbsenteeism and turn-over…Human ResourcesMusculoskeletal disorders…OSHA Logs WC reportsComplaints of fatigue and discomfort

GROWING AWARENESS OF CTDsGROWING AWARENESS OF GROWING AWARENESS OF CTDsCTDsYear Number of Repeated

Trauma CasesTotal Number of Illnesses

1990 23,200 (18%) 130,2001991 23,000 (18%) 126,1001992 22,600 (21%) 105,6001993 26,700 (25%) 106,1001994 34,700 (28%) 124,6001995 37,000 (30%) 125,4001996 45,500 (33%) 136,8001997 72,900 (38%) 190,2001998 115,400 (48%) 240,900

TOP FIVE CTD INCIDENCE INDUSTRIES BY RATE

1990

TOP FIVE CTD INCIDENCE TOP FIVE CTD INCIDENCE INDUSTRIES BY RATEINDUSTRIES BY RATE

19901990Meatpacking

Poultry Processing

Household Refrigerator/Freezer

Motor Vehicle and Car Body

Men’s and Boy’s Trousers and Slacks

Meatpacking

Poultry Processing

Household Refrigerator/Freezer

Motor Vehicle and Car Body

Men’s and Boy’s Trousers and Slacks

TOP FIVE CTD INCIDENCE INDUSTRY CLASSES BY

NUMBER1990

TOP FIVE CTD INCIDENCE TOP FIVE CTD INCIDENCE INDUSTRY CLASSES BY INDUSTRY CLASSES BY

NUMBERNUMBER19901990

Meat Products

Motor Vehicles

Men’s and Boy’s Furnishings

Miscellaneous Plastic Products

Aircraft and Parts

Meat Products

Motor Vehicles

Men’s and Boy’s Furnishings

Miscellaneous Plastic Products

Aircraft and Parts

Types of InjuriesTypes of InjuriesTypes of Injuries

Muscle painJoint painSwellingNumbnessRestricted motionRepetitive stress injury

Muscle painJoint painSwellingNumbnessRestricted motionRepetitive stress injury

Repetitive motion injuryCumulative trauma disorderMusculoskeletal disorder

Repetitive motion injuryCumulative trauma disorderMusculoskeletal disorder

CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERSCUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERSCUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERSA class of musculoskeletal disorders arising from repeated biomechanical stress due to ergonomic hazards. Common names for these disorders are:

A class of musculoskeletal disorders arising from repeated biomechanical stress due to ergonomic hazards. Common names for these disorders are:

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTendinitisTenosynovitisGanglion cystTennis Elbow

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTendinitisTenosynovitisGanglion cyst

Trigger FingerDeQuervian’s DiseaseThoracic Outlet SyndromeBursitisSynovitis

Trigger FingerDeQuervian’s DiseaseThoracic Outlet SyndromeBursitis

Tennis Elbow Synovitis

Ergonomic ControlsErgonomic ControlsErgonomic Controls

Engineering AdministrativeWork Practices

Engineering AdministrativeWork Practices

CONTROL TECHNOLOGYCONTROL TECHNOLOGYCONTROL TECHNOLOGY

Tool redesignWorkstation redesignJob methodsEarly detectionJob rotationMachine pacingMedical surveillance

Tool redesignWorkstation redesignJob methodsEarly detectionJob rotationMachine pacingMedical surveillance

REDUCTION OF REPETITION

REDUCTION OF REDUCTION OF REPETITIONREPETITION

Task Enlargement

Mechanization

Automation

Task Enlargement

Mechanization

Automation

REDUCTION OF EXTREME JOINT MOVEMENT

REDUCTION OF EXTREME REDUCTION OF EXTREME JOINT MOVEMENT JOINT MOVEMENT

Altering tool or controls

Workstation Design

Moving the Worker

Altering tool or controls

Workstation Design

Moving the Worker

REDUCTION OF FORCEREDUCTION OF FORCEREDUCTION OF FORCE

Reducing the force

Spreading the force

Better mechanical advantage

Reducing the force

Spreading the force

Better mechanical advantage

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS HAZARD PREVENTION AND

CONTROL

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS HAZARD PREVENTION AND HAZARD PREVENTION AND

CONTROLCONTROLRest-pauseIncrease number of employeesJob rotationPhysical conditioningRelief personnelMedical management

Rest-pauseIncrease number of employeesJob rotationPhysical conditioningRelief personnelMedical management

MATERIALS HANDLINGMATERIALS HANDLINGMATERIALS HANDLINGLifting/Lowering

Pushing/Pulling

Carrying

Weights and Forces

Frequency of activities

Load Center of Gravity

Lifting/Lowering

Pushing/Pulling

Carrying

Weights and Forces

Frequency of activities

Load Center of Gravity

JOB RISK FACTORSJOB RISK FACTORSJOB RISK FACTORS

Weight lifted

Position of load center of gravity

Frequency

Posture

Torso Flexion

Twisting

Arms extended

Weight lifted

Position of load center of gravity

Frequency

Posture

Torso Flexion

Twisting

Arms extended

JOB DESIGNJOB DESIGNJOB DESIGN

Can reduce one-third of compensable LBP

Minimize reach and lift distances

Keep off floor

Work station design

Frequency

Relax time standard

Rotation

Work-Rest allowances

Can reduce one-third of compensable LBP

Minimize reach and lift distances

Keep off floor

Work station design

Frequency

Relax time standard

Rotation

Work-Rest allowances

JOB DESIGN (continued)JOB DESIGN (continued)JOB DESIGN (continued)

Minimize Weight

Mechanical aids

Carton capacity

Balance contents

Convert:

Carry to push/pull

Push over pull

Use large wheels

Minimize Weight

Mechanical aids

Carton capacity

Balance contents

Convert:

Carry to push/pull

Push over pull

Use large wheels

TRAININGTRAININGTRAINING

Focus on awareness and avoidance

Get object as close to body as possible

Planning

Use of handling aids

Back Schools

Strength and fitness important

Focus on awareness and avoidance

Get object as close to body as possible

Planning

Use of handling aids

Back Schools

Strength and fitness important

WORKPLACE USE OF BACK BELTSNIOSH 94-122

WORKPLACE USE OF BACK BELTSWORKPLACE USE OF BACK BELTSNIOSH 94NIOSH 94--122122

Insufficient Data that belts significantly reduce trunk loadingInsufficient data that wearing reduces risk of injury based on IAP and EMGMay strain cardiovascular systemInsufficient data that discontinuation of use increases risk among healthy workers

Insufficient Data that belts significantly reduce trunk loadingInsufficient data that wearing reduces risk of injury based on IAP and EMGMay strain cardiovascular systemInsufficient data that discontinuation of use increases risk among healthy workers

NIOSH does not recommend as tool for preventionNIOSH does not recommend as tool for prevention

ORGANIZATIONAL INFLUENCES

ORGANIZATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL INFLUENCESINFLUENCES

Wage Systems

Quality Control

Management-Labor Relations

Machine-paced versus Self-paced work

Rest Breaks

Overtime

Shift Work

Wage Systems

Quality Control

Management-Labor Relations

Machine-paced versus Self-paced work

Rest Breaks

Overtime

Shift Work

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

1. Identify Team Members2. Identify problem jobs3. Survey Employees4. Develop Plan of Action5. Select most feasible6. Implement on small scale7. Train8. Measure response9. Wider application or goto 410. Goto 2

1. Identify Team Members2. Identify problem jobs3. Survey Employees4. Develop Plan of Action5. Select most feasible6. Implement on small scale7. Train8. Measure response9. Wider application or goto 410. Goto 2

WORK SITE ANALYSISWORK SITE ANALYSISWORK SITE ANALYSIS

Review OSHA 300 logEmployee interviewsPerformance Data (turnover, etc.)Video analysis of identified hazardous positions

Review OSHA 300 logEmployee interviewsPerformance Data (turnover, etc.)Video analysis of identified hazardous positions

Ergonomics Program Elements

Ergonomics Program Ergonomics Program ElementsElements

Management leadership and employee participationHazard information and reporting

Management leadership and employee participationHazard information and reporting

Job hazard analysis and controlTrainingMSD managementProgram evaluation

Job hazard analysis and controlTrainingMSD managementProgram evaluation