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Glenn T. Semple, CSP, REM, CHMM

EHS Associate

Online Ergonomics Assessmentsfor the Office

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Today’s topics

• Baxter Round Lake organization• The process we followed• Web-based office ergonomics assessment• Findings• Key learnings

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Baxter – Round Lake, IL

• R&D and Manufacturing (Medications Delivery Fluids)– 7 buildings - 1.5 million sq. ft.– 2500 employees, 75% with computers

• Goal was to reduce lost time and promote awareness

• 1998 web deployment

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Where do I begin?

• Sell initial investment to management• Identify a leader to head ergo efforts• Understand how current process works

– Where there are breakdowns– How it can be improved

• Develop a detailed written program • Solicit for and train an ergonomics action team• Communicate program to all affected groups

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Identify the process prior to training

• Who receives ergonomic related complaints?• Who performs the physical assessments?

– How are they documented?

• How are recommendations followed through?– Assessments, P.O.s and Work Requests

• Who purchases ergonomic related items?– Stock items vs. supply items

• Who installs the equipment?

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Write the program and train employees

• Define responsibilities– Directors/ managers/ supervisors/employees– EHS, ergo action team, nurses, HCP– Facilities management / info. tech.

• Select an action team– Encourage all groups involvement– Facilitators vs. coordinators– Conduct training

• Outline a specific procedure

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Have employees complete the ergoTool™ survey

• A comprehensive self-assessment addressing key computer workstation areas:– Furniture and equipment– Workstation features and layout– Lighting and work environment

• Accessed through a web browser• Includes discomfort and computer use

information

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ergoTool™ survey

Employees answer a series of Yes/No questions

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ergoTool™ survey

Employees can also complete a discomfort survey

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ergoTool™ survey

Employees receive a summary of their responses

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Facilitator’s toolbox

• Limited access area for configuration, password management, and report

• Key functions include:– Prioritize workstations based on level of concern– Identify common concerns– Link solutions to problems– Document follow-up plans and improvements

• Facilitates a management-driven ergonomics improvement process

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Total Priority Index (TPI)

• Workstation score for ergonomic risk exposure based on:– ergoTool survey score– Discomfort survey – Hours of computer and phone use

• Calculates 3 levels of concern• Identifies individuals experiencing discomfort

who spend many hours at a poorly outfitted computer workstation

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Total Priority Index (TPI)

Easily identify highest priorities

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ergoTool™ survey

• Overall workstation score– Tells you the overall level of concern

• Scores for each of the seven sections– Identifies specific concerns– Linked to solutions

• The survey can be repeated periodically, tracking the results of improvements

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ergoTool™ survey

Calculates a workstation score as well as section scores

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ergoTool™ survey

Linked to typical solutions

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ergoTool™ survey

Linked to action plans to document and track improvements

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Identify heavy computer users

Segment users by computer use exposure

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Heavy computer users

Combine computer use exposure with other task indicators

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Total Priority Index

• ergoTool score• Computer use

exposure• Discomfort survey

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Average scores by division

Average ergoTool scores vary from 7.7 to 13.7

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Avg. scores by survey section

Average section scores vary from 1 to 2.6

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Avg. scores by survey section and department

Several “outages” identified

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Discomfort survey

54% report discomfort• 29% have neck/upper back discomfort• 28% report headaches & eyestrain

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Discomfort by department

Several “outages” identified

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Key Learnings

• Identify personnel to respond to concerns– Use a team approach

• Have a written program outlining specific response and timeframes

• Standardize on stock items– Chairs – Keyboard supports

• Educate employees on control features and basic ergonomic principles