Participatory Ergonomics- “A Broader Reach” -

D. Darren MacDonald, CPE

Ergonomics Process Leader

The Regulatory Craft Conference- November 20, 2007 -

Agenda for Today

• Background Information• Participatory Ergonomics• Methods and Process• Advantages and Disadvantages• Questions & Discussion

Background

•Scientific literature on PE has grown significantly over the past two decades

00

50

100

150

200

1986-1989

1990-1994

1996-1999

2000-2004

How bad are MSIs?

% of Time Loss Injuries

Over 60%

What is Participatory Ergonomics?

•Participatory Ergonomics is an employee driven approach focused to ensure good design, comfort, safety and health.

What is Participatory Ergonomics?

It has be defined as, •“the involvement of people in

planning and controlling a significant amount of their own work activities,

•with sufficient knowledge and power to influence both processes and outcomes in order to achieve desirable goals.”

Human-task-environment model

• This human-task-environment model is a useful reminder of the potential influences on performance and demonstrates the systems nature of ergonomics.

Improved

Outcomes

Improved

Outcomes

Support adoption of

best practices

Support adoption of

best practices

Promote attitude & behaviour

change

Promote attitude & behaviour

change

Increase awareness & knowledge

Increase awareness & knowledge

Prevention Model

Injury Continuum

Hand working height

Heavy lifting and carrying

PARTICIPATORYERGONOMICS

The Regulatory Craft Conference- November 20, 2007 -

Why use PE?

• Have an impact on a greater number of jobs and employees

• Helps address the Ergonomist shortage

• It just makes sense!

PE in Nova Scotia

•Resources and Support•Ergonomics Team Formation•Training Elements•Workplace Organizational

Factors•Including Workforce in

Ergonomics

Resources and Support

• Sr. Management support• Time allocated for development• Time set aside for ongoing

activity• Financial resources supplied to

team

Ergonomics Team Formation

• 6-12 employee (cross functional)• engineering/maintenance

support• team champion

Training Elements

• Injury causation• Risk factor identification• Root cause analysis• Brainstorming techniques• Interviewing skills

Workplace Organizational Factors

• Timing can be very critical• Integration with existing

processes• Separate from OH&S

committee, but have a reporting role

• Strong communication prior, during and after the event

Including Workforce in Ergonomics

• Peer to peer evaluations• Peer explanation of process• Important to implement any

ideas obtained from the shop floor first

METHODS and

PROCESS

The Regulatory Craft Conference- November 20, 2007 -

Nova Scotia Model

• 2-Day Participatory Event– 1/2 Day - Training– 1/2 Day - Hazard Identification– 1/2 Day - Implementation– 1/2 Day - Presenting progress and

plans

Follow up

• Prevention Consultant– 2 month– 6 month– 1 year

• Using progress indicators

ADVANTAGESand

DISADVANTAGES

The Regulatory Craft Conference- November 20, 2007 -

Advantages

• Greater feeling of “ownership”• Increased job satisfaction• Greater commitment to change• Workers are the experts

Advantages - cont

• PE will lead to more acceptable solutions

• Faster learning because of involvement in the process

• Systemic effect to other areas and processes of an organization

Disadvantages

• Participation can be difficult to promote (at any level)

• Org structure may limit involvement

• Top management commitment may be difficult to obtain

• Cost may increase as more time and effort may be required for some solutions

Challenges for Participatory Ergo

• Motivate people to be involved• Tools & techniques used• Understanding how to work

within their scope• When to call in outside

resources

Questions?

Prevention Services

D.Darren MacDonald, CPE

Ergonomics Process Leader

902.565.7114 (mobile)darren.macdonald@wcb.gov.ns.cawww.wcb.ns.ca