4 Things to Consider

8/13/2019 4 Things to Consider

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4 Things to ConsiderWhen Selecting an Ergonomics Risk Assessment Tool

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4 Things to Consider when Selecting an Ergonomics Risk Assessment Tool

Copyright 2013 Humantech, Inc.Share this!www.humantech.com

INTRODUCTION

Workplace injuries and illness cost companies

billions of dollars each year, and their negative

effects on health and safety, productivity, morale,and even quality can be astounding.

Implementing strategies to reduce injuries and

illness through a sound workplace ergonomics

process can have a far-reaching impact on your

business. And, managing the risk of injury,

rather than managing the injury itself, is

essential for a successful ergonomicsprocess(see our previous e-bookfor more on

this topic). But how do you know which ergonomic

risk assessment(s) to use and when to use them?

There are a multitude of ergonomic assessment

tools available to practitioners ranging from very

basic to the highly complex. In this publication,

well give you tips on how to select the right tool to

help ensure that your efforts produce an efcient,

valid, reliable, and effective ergonomic analysis.

We also invite you to download Humantechs

assessment tool matrix, a quick-reference guide

that focuses on some of the most commonly used

assessment methods.
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Copyright 2013 Humantech, Inc.

INTRODUCTION


There are many ergonomic risk assessment tools and methods available today,

both proprietary and in the public domain. They fall into two main categories:

qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitativeor observation-based methods are tools for identifying

ergonomic issues. These checklists, pocket cards, and self-assessment

tools are useful for engaging employees and supervisors to quickly nd

and x observable problems in the workplace.

Quantitativetools, on the other hand, are like risk dosimeters.

They identify the presence of risk factors and measure the amount of

exposure, and should compare the level of exposure to the capabilitiesof the human body. These more advanced tools provide a higher level of

diagnosis and root cause analysis that the qualitative tools lack.

While you need both qualitative and quantitative assessment tools in your toolkit, a

successful ergonomics process is measured and managed by numbers. Therefore,

you, as a subject matter expert, must focus on a quantitative approach. There

are fourcharacteristics to consider when selecting your quantitative ergonomic

risk assessment tools for use in the workplace: quality, application,

quantitativecapability, and ease of use.


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1.QUALITY


The most important characteristic of a quantitative assessment tool is its quality. An

effective and reliable quantitative assessment tool meets the following criteria:

Valid.The tool must be able to measure what it is intended to

measure. In short, it should be able to identify job factors that will result

in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Current scientic reference,

based on occupational medicine, biomechanics, and longitudinal in

situ studies, denes an MSD as an illness. The ergonomic risk factors

known to contribute to MSDs are excessive force, excessive frequency,

and extreme postures. To be valid, an ergonomic risk assessment tool

must include limit values for force and frequency, and excessive ranges

for posture. To verify validity, look for at least two independent researchstudies, reported by two independent refereed journals, for each value.

Early warning signs of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Swelling

Numbness

Tingling

Discomfort

Burning Sensation

Irritation

Insomnia

Stiffness


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1.QUALITY


Able to differentiate job hazards.The tool should be able to

differentiate hazards in two ways:

Betweenjobs (inter-job differentiation). The tool must be able to

differentiate jobs that evidence single risk factors, from jobs that

evidence two risk factors, from jobs that evidence all risk factors.

Withinjobs (intra-job differentiation). The tool must be able to

differentiate risk factors within a job and differentiate between the body

parts of the operators exposed to the risk. It should rank jobs by the

number of hazard factors present and number of body parts affected.

Combining the inter- and intra-job differentiation factors will allow you to rank jobs

from lower risk to higher risk. This ranking is an essential result of any quantitative

risk assessment method.


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1.QUALITY


Reliable.The tool should obtain similar

results at different times, all other factors

being equal. The reliability of the tool isdependent upon the person using it. The

assessor must follow the rules for correct

use, andbe aware of the limitations

of use. To ensure reliability, the tool

should provide clear denition of risk

factors and the rules of application, and it

should be supported by adequate training

to ensure correct use by the assessor.

Reproducible.Different assessors

should obtain similar results

independently, all other factors being

equal. The reproducibility of results

is dependent upon the assessors

conformance to the rules of application.

The same factors that ensure reliability

also apply to reproducibility: denition of

risk factors and application rules, as well

as adequate training on how to use the

tool correctly.


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2.APPLICATION


Know the scope of the assessment tool. Not all risk assessment tools measure all

risk exposures to the body, and many have limitations to their use.

Humantechs Baseline Risk Identication of Ergonomic Factors (BRIEF) Survey

and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) are whole-body assessment tools,

while the RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and the NIOSH Lifting Equation

measure risk exposure for only specic areas of the body.

Take time to understand the application and limitations of each. For example, the

NIOSH Lifting Equation is limited to single-person, two-handed lifts.


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3.QUANTITATIVE

CAPABILITY


The risk assessment tool should provide a valid numerical score indicating the level

of risk exposure. Some assessors use narrative to describe the level of exposure;

unfortunately, the result is subjective and can be interpreted in different ways.

A quantitative measurement of risk relative to a threshold or limit for humans provides

a reference point to determine if the exposure is above or below the capabilities of

the human body. In turn, the range of scores can be easily translated into lower,

moderate, and higher risk.

Humantech, Inc.


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4.EASE OF USE


In the workplace (as opposed to a research application), the ergonomic

assessment tool and method should be easy to use, identify risk factors and root

causes, and determine the level of exposure (measure) quickly.

The method should not interrupt or negatively affect the person being assessed.

This means it must be portable, and it should be easy to use in a clean room

environment, chemical operation, ofce, and in the eld.

Ease of use also enables more people to be trained to conduct ergonomic

assessments. This is especially critical if you are relying on an Ergonomics Team,

Safety Committee, or others to conduct assessments.


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Copyright 2013 Humantech, Inc.Share this!www.humantech.com

For over 30 years, global companies have relied

on Humantech for workplace improvements.

By combining the science of ergonomics andour unique 30-Inch Viewwhere people,

work, and environment intersectwe deliver

practical solutions that impact safety, quality, and

productivity. At Humantech, we know people make

productivity happen.

Companies that make the move from a reactive

approach to injuries to a proactive approach toworkplace design, nd that ergonomics is central to

executing business strategy at the highest levels.

Humantech helps companies identify and quantify

injury risk in the workplace, provides training and

consulting aimed at removing that risk, and delivers

ergonomics program management solutions that

embed these processes into a corporate culture.

Please visit us at www.humantech.com formore information.

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4 Things to Consider