Transcript Ergonomics Review

Ergonomics
OSHA Compliance for Temp Agencies and Host Employe
What is Ergonomics?
 “Ergonomics is an applied science concerned
with the design of workplaces, tools, and tasks
that match the physiological, anatomical, and
psychological characteristics and capabilities of
the worker.” Vern Putz-Anderson
 “The Goal of ergonomics is to ‘fit the job to the
person,’ rather than making the person fit the
job.” Ergotech
 “If it hurts when you are doing something, don’t
do it.” Bill Black
Why do we care about Ergonomics?
Ergonomic Injuries - WMSDs
2010 Days Away Injuries by Event/Exposure
All Other
14%
Assaults
4%
Contact with
Objects/Equipment
17%
Fires and Explosions
0%
Falls to Lower Level
7%
Transporation
4%
Exposure to Harmful
Substances
0%
Repetitive Motion
2%
Falls to Same Level
17%
Overexertion
30%
Slips and Trips
5%
Ergonomic Injuries – Body Impacts
 Overexertion
 Back – 52%
 Shoulders – 18%
 Abdomen – 7%
 Arms – 5%
 Legs – 5%
 Repetitive Motion
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Wrists – 43%
Shoulders – 13%
Back – 11%
Arms – 9%
Hands – 5%
Fingers – 5%
Costs of Ergonomic Injuries
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
MSDs of the Back
Upper Extremity
MSDs
Average Claim
Average Costs per Claim ($)
Source: Workers’ Compensation data from Insurance Companies 1993
The Bottom Line on Ergonomic Injuries
 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (2012)
 #1 Cost Driver = Overexertion Injuries
 $13.6 Billion in Direct Costs to Employers
 27% of all Injury Costs
Resource: www.libertymutual.com/researchinstitute
OSHA and Ergonomics
• OSHA can and will cite ergonomic hazards under the
“5(a)(1)” General Duty Clause, if:
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An ergonomic hazard exists,
The hazard is recognized,
The hazard is causing, or likely to cause, a serious injury,
And if a feasible means exists to reduce the hazard
Benefits of Good Ergonomics
• Increased productivity
• Decreased
mistakes/rework
• Increased efficiency
• Decreased injury
risk
• Decreased lost
work days
• Decreased turnover
• Improved morale
WMSD Risk Factors
Common WMSD Risk Factors
• Force
• Vibration
• Posture
• Environment
• Frequency
• Personal
Factors
• Duration
Risk Factors for Injuries
o Forceful Exertions
o Weight of load
o Location
o Frequency
o Stability
o Coupling
o Awkward Postures
o Bending
o Twisting
o Reaching
Risk Factors for Injuries
o Repetitive Motion
o Vibration
o Frequent reaching
o Tools
o Assembly tasks
o Mechanized Equipment
o Keying
o Packaging
Risk Factors for Injuries
o Environmental
o Visual
o 150 Lux in MMH
o Thermal
o Increased accidents away
from comfort zone
o Hot: Added metabolic
heat gain
o Cold: Decreased blood
flow to extremities
Risk Factors for Injuries
o Environmental, cont.
o Worker/Floor Surface Coupling
o Maintain static coefficient of friction of 0.4, preferably 0.5
o ANSI A1264.2-2001: Standard for the Provision of Slip Resistance on
Walking/Working Surfaces
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Floor Conditions/Housekeeping
Shoe style
Floor angle
Surface coatings
Risk Factors for Injuries
o Personal Risk Factors
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Gender
Age
Anthropometry
Lift Technique
Attitude
Strength
Training
Ergonomics Assessment Tools
Tier I Tools:
Checklists:
Quick Exposure Checklist
Washington State Checklists
NIOSH Checklists (97-117)
Tier II Tools
Quantitative:
Job Safety Analysis
NIOSH Work Practice Guide to Manual Lifting
Stover Snook’s Psychophysical Tables for
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
Job Strain Index
Occupational Repetitive Action Methods
Awkward Postures - Low work
Bending
Kneeling
Squatting
These postures are hard on the back and the knees
WISHA Ergonomics Checklist
WISHA Ergonomics Checklist
WISHA Ergonomics Checklist
WISHA Ergonomics Checklist
Implementing Ergonomic Controls
8 Deadly
Wastes
Tools,
Equipment,
Processes
Substitution
Engineering
Control
Workstation
Design, Mech.
Assist
Job Rotation,
Rest Breaks,
Safe Practices
???
Policies
PPE
Effectiveness
Elimination
Reducing low work
• Raise and/or tilt the work for
better access
• Use a stool for ground level
work
• Use tools with longer handles
• Alternate between bending,
kneeling, sitting, and squatting
Ergonomics at Work
Reducing low work
Raise and tilt the work
Ergonomics at Work
Reducing low work
Raise the work
Ergonomics at Work
Reducing low work
Meter reader – golf club handle extension
Awkward Postures
High work
This posture is hard on the shoulders, neck and back
Reducing high work
• Use an elevated work platform or rolling stairs
• Use tools with longer handles
• Limit overhead storage to infrequently used items
• Bring the work down and tilt for easier access
Ergonomics at Work
Reducing high work
Use a tool with longer handles
WISHA Ergonomics Checklist
Hands and Wrists:
• Pinch Grip
• Grasp Grip
• Repetitive Motion of
Hands
• Keying
• Hand Impacts
• Hand and Arm Vibrations
Neck and Shoulders
• Neck Posture
What are some of the
symptoms of WMSDs?
• Discomfort
• Pain
• Burning
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Change in color
• Tightness, loss of flexibility
Report symptoms if:
• Pain is persistent, severe or worsening
• Pain radiates
• Symptoms include numbness or tingling
• Symptoms keep you from sleeping at night
Why is it important to
encourage reporting of symptoms?
• Minor injuries can easily become chronic injuries
• Injured workers, absenteeism, turnover, insurance
costs
• Can lead to surgery and disability
• Early treatment is more successful
Ergonomics and Temporary Workers
1. Ergonomics Awareness Training
2. Risk Assessment
3. Solution Development and
Implementation
a. Engineering Controls
b. Job rotation, rest breaks, safe
practices
4. On-the-job training
5. Hazard or near-miss reporting
6. Injury reporting and recordkeeping