Ergonomics A science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks,...

ErgonomicsA science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks, workstations, tools and equipment.

PRESENTED BY:

Joan M. Spencer

Compliance Assistance Specialist

Tampa Area Office 813-626-1177

Costs to the Employer

• Insurance Premiums

• Medical Costs

• Absenteeism/Turnover

• Re-Training

• Decrease in Production

• Decrease in Quality

Costs to the Employees

• Pain/Suffering

• Stress

• Loss of ability to work

• Loss of wages

• Loss of ability to enjoy life

Indicators of Need

• Employee Generated Change

• Manual Material Handling

• Seasonal Hiring

• Downsizing

• Over-time

• Incentive Programs

Indicators of Need

• Complaints

• Absenteeism

• Turnover

• Accident Trends

• Poor Quality

• Decrease in Production

• 2001, Congress passed, and the President signed, Senate Joint Resolution 6, which rescinded the original ergonomics rule, and under the Congressional Review Act, prohibits the agency from issuing a rule that is substantially the same as the former one.

• OSHA assesses MSD-related issues in complaints, referrals, and targeted inspections.

• Issue General Duty Clause citations or hazard alert letters for ergonomics hazards where appropriate.

• Conduct follow-up inspections or investigations within 12 months of certain employers who receive ergonomic hazard alert letters.

OSHA Enforcement Program

Full Ergonomics Program• Management leadership and

employee participation• Hazard information and reporting• Job hazard analysis and control• Training• MSD management—that includes

taking care of the injured employee• Program evaluation

Risk Factors• Force

• Posture

• Repetition

• Temperature

• Vibration

• Pressure Points

Job FactorsPhysical demands of job Force, repetition, postures,

duration, contact stress

Workstation layout and space

Reaches, heights, seating, floor surface, contact stress

Equipment used and objects handled

Size, shape, weight, weight distribution, handle and grasp surfaces, vibration

Environmental conditions Cold, heat, glare

Work organization Work-recovery cycles, work rate, task variability

Hazard Identification& Information

• Is there a method for employee reporting of signs, symptoms, hazards and recommendations

• OSHA Form 300 • Medical Records • Insurance Records• Safety Records• Personnel Records

Job Hazard Analysis• Include each of or a representative sample

of employees in the problem job• Expand JHA to similar jobs (if comprehensive)

• Question employees on• experience signs and symptoms• difficulties of performing physical• work activities of job• which activities they associate with any

problem

Job Hazard Analysis and Control

• Ask employees for recommendations• Identify, evaluate and suggest (implement)

feasible control measures• Do you track progress in eliminating or

materially reducing the MSD• Do you identify and evaluate MSD hazards

when you change, design or purchase equipment or processes in problem jobs

Tools OSHA May Use for Evaluation

NIOSH Lifting Equation

RWL = LC X HM X VM X DM X AM X FM X CM

where LC is the load constant (23 kg),

•HM, the "Horizontal Multiplier" factor•VM, the "Vertical Multiplier" factor•DM, the "Distance Multiplier" factor•FM, the "Frequency Multiplier" factor•AM, the "Asymmetric Multiplier“ factor•CM, the "Coupling Multiplier" factor•RWL, the "Recommended Weight Limit

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/niosh/calculating_rwl.html

ControlsEngineering,Administrative, and/orWork practicesPersonal protective equipment

Engineering Controls

• Preferred method • Act on the source of the hazard• Control without relying on employee to

take self-protective action or intervention• Changing, modifying or redesigning

workstations equipment

tools materials

facilities processes

Engineering Controls • Mechanical lifting hoists

• Tool design

• Automation of work

• Work station design

• Use of handles

• Repackage for weight and size

• Padding/absorption systems

Engineering Controls: Avoid low or high reaches

Engineering Controls: Hoist, lifters

Engineering Controls: Powered Equipment

Engineering Controls: Use correct tools:

Sand rammer in foundry was modified with “home-made” vibration absorbing rings instead of original manufacturer’s equipment.

Engineering Controls: Handles

Engineering Controls: Automation Manually handling packaged product. Company is in the process of installing automatic filling & conveyor system

Engineering Controls: Workstation Design Insufficient work space to accommodate mouse/pointing device;

chair has little adjustability.

Administrative ControlsAlternate heavy tasks with light tasks. Provide variety in jobs to eliminate or reduce

repetition (i.e., overuse of the same muscle groups). Adjust work schedules, work pace, or work

practices. Provide recovery time (e.g., short rest breaks). Modify work practices so that workers perform work

within their power zone (i.e., above the knees, below the shoulders, and close to the body).

Rotate workers through jobs that use different muscles, body parts, or postures.

Administrative Controls: Use your power zone

Use a Lifter Raise the Worker Raise or Lower the Work Surface Tilt the Container

Administrative Controls: Employees involved in

manually turning dough to form pastries. Company had instituted a rotation policy to other areas within department.

Administrative Controls: Employees involved in manually handling products. Two person lift with handles.

Work Practice Controls: Training on body mechanics provided to reduce twisting at the waist. Also suggested using carts of same height as work area to reduce elevation changes.

PPEInterim control deviceWorn or used by employeeProvide in a variety of sizesShould not contribute to extreme postures

and excessive forces.Examples include: gloves or knee pads“Braces, splints, back belts,

and other similar devices arenot PPE.”

Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves

Gripping gloves.

Outreach and Assistance:

• OSHA provides tools to help workplaces reduce and prevent ergonomic injuries:

• Provide expertise to assist businesses and workers

• Support programs through training grants, curriculum development and other means

• Design compliance assistance tools, new partnerships and recognition programs

• Encourage others to develop best practices

• Meat Packing Guidelines• Nursing Homes• Retail Grocery Stores • Poultry Processing • Shipyards1 The guidelines are not new standards or regulations and do not

create any new OSHA duties for employers. An employer's failure to implement a guideline is, therefore, not a violation, or evidence of a violation of the general duty clause of the OSH Act

Industry Specific Guidelines:1

Additional Information

www.osha.gov

www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html