Transcript ERGONOMICS Work Smarter, Not Harder

Skilled Crafts & Labor
Ergonomics
The Art & Science
of Fitting the Work to the Person
Click for
NEXT
Who?
Plant, Facilities, Grounds, & Similar Operations
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Dining Services
Carpenters
Painters
Landscaping
Electricians
Plumbers
Custodians
Shipping/Receiving
• Bookstore
• Library
– And More….
Click for NEXT
Why Ergonomics ?
To Prevent disorders of the soft-tissues such as muscles,
tendons, nerves, blood vessels, & joints.
Common Disorders:
•
•
•
•
Back Strain/Sprain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tendonitis
…and others
Click for NEXT
Symptoms
•
•
•
•
•
•
Numbness
Burning
Pain/Aching
Tingling
Cramping
Stiffness
•
•
•
•
•
Tightness
Decreased range of motion
Deformity
Decreased strength
Loss of function
If you experience these symptoms, you may want to request additional
ergonomic assistance.
NEXT
Key Risk Factors
Repetition
Posture
Force
+
Vibration
NEXT
Risk Factors
Each risk factor is significant;
however, discomfort or injury is
more likely to develop when two or
more of these factors are combined
And
the risk exposure is sustained over
time.
NEXT
Ergonomic Assessment
Additional Benefits:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Improve comfort
Decrease fatigue
Enhance job satisfaction
Increase productivity
Extend work life
Financial Savings by avoiding time away from work
Protect enjoyment of many life activities
NEXT
Ergonomic Assessment
The following slides provide information intended to help you identify
potential risk factors and to give you ideas to help improve the
ergonomics of your work activities.
Use the ergonomic assessment form provided on the webpage to guide
your through assessing and improving your physical work activities.
http://www.montana.edu/wellness/wellAwards.html
NEXT
Risk Factors
Force
Vibration
The Goal:
To help you identify, reduce,
eliminate, or safely manage
potential risk factors in your work
environment.
Posture
Repetition
Time
NEXT
Identify
Awkward Postures
Elbows above
shoulders
Bent Back
or Neck
Squatting or
Kneeling
Bent Wrists
NEXT
Minimize
Overhead reaching
Consider Options to:
•
Extend Tools
Raise Worker
Lower work
• Use mirrors or magnifiers
• Relocate to work bench
• Alternate positions/tasks to lessen
time spent in with elbows above the
shoulders.
NEXT
Minimize
Neck & Back Angles
Ergo Design
Adjustable stands
NEXT
Minimize
Kneeling & Squatting
Alternate Positions
Extend Tools
Raise Work
NEXT
Minimize
Awkward Hand Positions
Ergo Knife
Consider handle design and
operational needs when
purchasing tools and equipment
Electric deli slicer
Articulating Power Tools
NEXT
Highly Repetitive Motion
Workers repeat same motion every few
seconds for extended periods:
– neck
– shoulders
– elbows
– wrists
– hands
NEXT
Minimize Repetitive Motions
Steps to reduce repetitive motion:
Powered tools
• Order materials – Precut, pre-drilled, pre-shaped to
maximum extent possible.
• Mechanize - Use powered tools for large, highly
repetitive projects.
• Vary tasks – Perform repetitive tasks in several small
time blocks rather than all at once; perform dissimilar
tasks in between.
• Vary methods– Periodically switch process flow,
switch tools, switch positions, switch hands to perform
the same task.
NEXT
High Force
Pinching
Gripping
Static
Loading
Material
handling
NEXT
Minimize
High Forces / Pressures
•
Eliminate awkward positions
•
Use mechanical advantage
•
Reduce weight of tool or object
•
Redesign tool/user interface
•
Use Two Hands /Alternate Hands
•
Sharp, well-maintained tools
•
Alternate Positions/Tasks
•
Suspend Tools
•
Job Share
•
Look at Material Handling Alternatives
NEXT
Minimize
High Forces
Suspend Tools
Material Grabbers
Right tool for Job
Enlarge & Pad Handles
NEXT
Manual Material Handling
Where it
ALL
Comes Together
NEXT
Manual Handling
Manual handling is
transporting or
supporting a load by
hands or bodily
force.
•
Lifting
•
Carrying
•
Putting down
•
Pushing
•
Pulling
•
Moving
•
Supporting
NEXT
Lifting
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
PRESERVE YOUR
CURVES !!
The spine is has three natural curves
designed to keep it aligned.
NEXT
Lifting Techniques
– Wear supportive shoes with traction.
– Test the load to see if you can handle it safely—if not,
get help from a co-worker or use mechanical aids.
– Keep a wide stance and solid footing.
– To improve balance, keep your heels down and turn
your feet slightly out.
– Warm-up.
NEXT
Lifting Techniques
– Tighten your stomach muscles.
– Get a good grasp on the load.
– Keep the load close to your body.
– Keep your head up and trunk tall to preserve your curves.
– Lift steadily with your legs, not your back.
– Point your feet in the direction of the move, don’t twist.
– Set the load down by squatting down and keeping the spine
aligned.
NEXT
Turning with a Load
• “Hug” the load
• Move your body as a single unit
• Take several steps to turn your body in the direction you want to move.
Follow Your Feet
NEVER Lead with the Load
NEXT
Putting it Together….
Bend your
knees
Get close
to the
load
- not your
back!
Lift with
Large Leg
Muscles
NEXT
Putting it Together….
Get Help
Consider Equipment
NEXT
Vibration
Extended use of powered equipment can present risks to soft tissues,
especially of the hands. Consider time spent working with vibrating tools:
•
Especially trigger-activated or
those requiring high hand force
•
In cold and damp conditions
•
With upadded, metal
handles/grips
•
With health conditions or habits
that reduce blood flow such as
NEXT
Time – Frequency, Duration & Recovery
Minimize key risk factors
And
Balance time spent exposed to
risks with adequate recovery
time.
NEXT
Keep in Mind:
•
No “One Right Way” to achieve ergonomically
healthy work postures and practices. Stay aware
of risk factors and consider options to eliminate,
reduce, or safely manage them.
•
Adjusting one aspect of your work activity will
affect other aspects. For example, switching from
a hand tool to a power tool lessens the force and
repetition of the job, but increases exposure to
vibration. Consider these impacts when making
changes.
NEXT
Early Intervention is Critical
E arly
R esponse
G ains
O pportunity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reduce/Eliminate risks
Prevent Pain
Avoid or minimize need for medical
treatment
Happier employees
Higher productivity
Financial Savings by avoiding time
away from work
NEXT
Questions or Concerns?
Use the ergonomic assessment tool provided on the website
to evaluate your work activities
http://www.montana.edu/wellness/wellAwards.html
Consult additional resources on this website.
Contact your Wellness Coordinator for additional assistance and resources
END