Transcript Slide 1

PMA Companies
University of Scranton
Ergonomics presented by Mary Ann Bubka
November 4, 2013
Ergonomics
What will be covered:
•
•
•
•
•
What is Ergonomics?
Why should we be concerned?
Musculosketetal Disorders (MSDs).
Ergonomic Risk Factors.
What you can do to prevent injury?
What is Ergonomics
• the science of fitting jobs to people.
– Ergonomics uses knowledge of physical
abilities, limitations & human characteristics
that apply to job design.
3
Ergonomic Design
• considers the tasks,
equipment & environment
to provide efficient use of
worker capabilities while
ensuring that job demands
do not exceed those
capabilities
4
Proper ergonomics can
•
•
•
•
•
Improve Efficiency
Increase Production Capability
Reduce Workplace Injuries
Lower Workers’ Comp Costs
Reduce Absenteeism
5
Muscular Skeletal Disorders
• MSDs are medical conditions that develop
gradually over a period of time
• MSDs do not typically result from a single
instantaneous event.
6
Muscular Skeletal Disorders
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an
injury or illness to soft body tissue such
as:
»Muscles
»Nerves
»Tendons
»Ligaments
»Joints
»Cartilage
»Spinal Discs
7
Why do we focus on Ergonomics?
To minimize employee pain and
the impact on the organization of
ergonomic exposures.
Ergonomic related injuries
• May be called:
– CTDs - cumulative trauma disorders
– RSIs - repetitive stress injuries
OR
MSD – musculoskeletal disorders
They normally affect muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints.
Common types of MSDs
•
•
•
•
•
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow
Trigger Finger
Strains/Sprains
Common Symptoms
•
•
•
•
•
•
Soreness
Numbness
Tingling
Weakness
Limited Range of Motion
Swelling
Controlling MSDs
• Step 1.
– Identify the risk factors
Ergonomic Risk Factors
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Repetition
Force
Awkward Posture
Static Posture
Contact Stress
Temperature Extremes
Vibration
Psycho Social
Repetition
Risk Factors
• Occurs when the same movements are
performed frequently such as keying or clicking
a mouse.
• Can result in injury when the tissues are
overused and do not have time to recuperate.
Force
Risk Factors
• Force is the amount of physical effort required
by a person to do a task.
• With excessive force the muscles are working
much harder than normal, this can lead to strain
on the muscles, tendons, and joints.
Force & Exertion
• Forceful exertions place higher loads on
the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints
• Factors
• Weight
• Bulkiness
• Speed
16
Risk Factors
Awkward Posture
• Is a deviation from the “neutral” body
position.
• A “neutral” body position is safest and most
efficient position in which to work.
• Awkward posture puts stress on muscles,
tendons and joints.
Risk Factors
Static Posture
• Static posture occurs
when one position is
held for a prolonged
period of time.
• The muscles become
fatigued.
• This fatigue can lead
to discomfort and
even injury.
Risk Factors
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 circulation and nerve
function.
Risk Factors
Temperature Extremes
• Extreme heat or cold may place stress on
tissues.
Heat & Cold
• Heat effects blood circulation & causes
cramps, burns/rashes and general
discomfort.
• Cold effects the body's blood circulation,
causes hypothermia, loss of flexibility,
distraction and poor dexterity.
• Comfortable temperature range
• 68 to 74 degrees
• Humidity 20 – 60%
21
Risk Factors
Vibration
• Vibration is typically not found in an office
environment but can occur when using tools.
• Vibration places stress on the tissues of the
fingers, hand and arms.
• Whole body vibration from driving puts stress
on the spinal tissues.
Vibration
• Excessive vibration causes pain to
muscles, joints and internal organs
• Soft tissue trauma to the hands, arms, feet
and legs.
23
Risk Factors
Psycho-social Issues
• Stress, boredom, job dissatisfaction and
anxiety can contribute to the possibility of
developing a MSD.
• Psycho-social issues can create increased
muscle tension and reduce a person’s
awareness of work technique.
Other contributory factors
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Smoking
Diabetes
Obesity
Age
Gender
Lifestyle
Physical activity level
MSDs are caused by
»Bending
»Climbing
»Crawling
»Reaching
»Twisting
»Overexertion
»Repetitive Exposure
26
Environment Risk Factors
•
•
•
•
•
Heat or cold
Lighting
Vibration
Tool design
Noise
27
Activity Risk Factors
•
•
•
•
Static or awkward postures
Improper gripping
Improper lifting
Repetitive Motion
28
Lighting
• Under & over lighted areas causes:
»Headaches
»Muscle strains
»Fatigue
»Eye strain
• Poorly lighted areas also contributes to trip
& fall hazards & poor coordination
29
Noise
• Noise peaks above 100 decibels cause:
»Headaches
»Increased blood pressure
»Muscle tension & fatigue
»Irritability & distraction
30
Posture
• Prolonged standing - varicose
veins, back stress, pooling of
blood in legs
• Sitting without back support low back stress
• Seat too high - decreased
circulation, (legs dangling
over end) bruises
31
Posture
• Shoulders rounded - Upper/lower back
stress, respiratory distress
• Leaning forward - Lower back stress
• Arms extended or over-reaching - Stress to
arm muscles, upper back stress
32
Posture
• Elbows "winged" - Joint stress at shoulder,
poor use of bicep muscles
• Stepping backwards - Loss of balance,
displaced gravity, muscle stress
• Locking knees - Stress to back of knee,
poor blood circulation
• Bent Wrist – excessive force when gripping
33
Repetition
• Frequent & prolonged repetition of the
same movements cause muscle fatigue and
stress
• Factors that increase repetition hazards
• Number of cycles per minute
• Force required
• Posture
34
Gripping
• Factors that increase gripping hazards
• Bent wrist
• Surface area
• Surface friction
• Vibration
• Type of grip
35
Lifting
• Factors that increase lifting hazards
• Weight
• Size
• Repetition
• Twisting
• Bending
• Reaching
• Method
36
Hazard Controls
• Engineering Controls
• Work Practice Controls
37
Engineering Controls
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Re-design of work station
Re-design of tools
Lighting modification
Vibration control
Noise Control
Automation
Mechanical Lifting
Material Flow
38
Work Practice Controls
•
•
•
•
Work techniques & procedures
Conditioning period
Training Lifting techniques
Personal Protective Equipment
39
Hazard Identification
• Reports of signs, symptoms & hazards
• Recommendations from employees &
supervisors
• Records review of existing safety &
health records
• Routine facility safety & health
inspections
40
Information & Training
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Signs & symptoms
Importance of early reporting
Specific hazards & controls
Reporting MSDs & hazards
How to recommend control methods
Protective Measures
Ergonomics program & their role
41
Employee Involvement
• Report of signs, symptoms & hazards
• Hazard control recommendations
• Access to information
42
Recordkeeping
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reports of MSD or hazards
Responses to employee reports
Job hazard analysis
Hazard control records
Ergonomics program evaluation
MSD management records
43
A Typical Workday
Controlling MSDs
Step 2 –
•Fit the workstation to you.
Adjusting Seat Height
• Knees and hips
should be level.
• Feet should be flat
on the floor or
footrest.
• Back of knees
should not come in
direct contact with
the front of the
seatpan.
Seat Back
• Support your low
back using the
chair’s backrest.
• The curve of the
backrest should
match the curve of
your low back.
Arm Rests
• Adjust to lightly
support arms.
• Use only for
breaks or non
keying/mousing
activities.
• Lower arm rests
slightly for typing
or mousing.
Variable Back Stop
• Slight reclining
gives the spine a
rest.
• Keep the buttocks
back, don’t slouch.
Not all chairs have this feature
Seat Tension
• Turn knob or adjust
lever under the chair.
• Adjust tension to body
weight.
– Soft enough to recline.
– Firm enough to
support you.
Not all chairs have this feature
Keyboard / Mouse
Keyboard
• Wrists should be in
a neutral position.
• Keyboard should be
flat.
• Key strokes should
be light.
Adjustable Keyboard trays
• Make sure that your
arms are in a
relaxed position.
• Ensure adequate
leg clearance under
tray.
Mouse
• Mouse should be
located adjacent to
keyboard on same
level.
• Hold hand lightly on
the mouse.
• Use Scroll features.
Monitors
• Placement:
– directly in front of you at
arm’s length
– top of the screen is eyelevel or lower
– parallel to bright windows
• Adjustments: height, angle
contrast, brightness, color
and refresh rate.
Reach Zones
Frequent Used Items
Occasional Used Items
Rarely Used Items
Supporting Equipment
• Wrist and mouse rests
– called “RESTS” for a reason!
•
•
•
•
Copy/document holders
Headsets
Footrests
Back supports
What’s wrong with this picture?
What’s wrong with this picture?
What’s wrong with this picture?
What’s wrong with this picture?
Thank you for your attendance!
Questions?
62