Transcript Workplace Ergonomics - Oklahoma City Community College

Workplace Ergonomics
Matching The Workplace
With The Employee
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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
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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
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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 person’s capabilities, physical attributes, and work habits
must be recognized to improve ergonomic factors in the
workplace
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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 3:1 in sustaining
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
WMSD’s account for $2.5 billion in direct costs
and another $110 billion in indirect costs
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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
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Ergonomic Related
Injuries and Illnesses
 May be called:
 CTD’s (cumulative trauma disorders)
 RSI’s (repetitive stress injuries)
 RMI’s ( repetitive motion injuries)
 Which are all considered MSD’s
 MSD’s can affect muscles, joints, bones
and spinal disks
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Common Types of MSD’s
Tendonitis
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Tennis Elbow
Neck and/or back injuries
Strains and/or Sprains
Bursitis
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Trigger Finger
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Risk Factors and
Causes of MSD’s
Repetitive activities
Static force
Awkward posture
Static posture
Contact stress
Temperature extremes
Vibration
Psycho Social (stress caused by others)
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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 individual’s well being at home
or at work
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Psycho-Social Issues
Stress, boredom, job dissatisfaction,
and anxiety can contribute to the
possibility of developing MSD’s
Psycho-social issues can create
increased muscle tension and reduce
awareness of work technique and work
pride
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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.
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Correct The
Environment
Check the lighting, noise, and
temperature
Check work pace and stress levels
Check length of work times
Check work processes
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Improve Posture
And Habits
Modify to correct hand and wrist motions
Improve neck and back postures
Consider personal preferences, allow if not
detrimental
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Improve Work
Techniques and Habits
Train employees on appropriate
postures
Adjust furniture to best fit the employee
when in a working position
Don’t allow habits to dictate impending
injury or illness
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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
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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
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Administrative Controls
Training employees in work methods
Varying or rotating work tasks
Limiting extended work hours
Providing and requiring mini-breaks
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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
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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
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Results Of
Proper Ergonomics
Employees work smarter, not harder
Quality, comfort and safety make employees
more productive and happy
Affected employee attitude is contagious
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