THE IMPACT OF UNREPORTED OFFICE ERGONOMICS CLAIMS · 2018. 11. 21. · 6/4/2018 Mary Jane Ergo Evaluation Assessment 4 6 Confirmation of Risk 7/2/2018 John Smith Ergo Request Self

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W W W . C H I C A G O L A N D R I S K F O R U M . O R G

Richard Kung, Director of Office Ergonomics, Chubb Global Risk Advisors

THE IMPACT OF UNREPORTED OFFICE ERGONOMICS CLAIMS

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“The Impact of Unreported Office Ergonomics Claims”


GREATER RISK?

GREATER RISK?

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Office Ergo Refresher: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

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GREATER RISK?

GREATER RISK?

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TOPICS

• Why is office ergonomics discomfort often under-reported?

• Can workstation design eliminate office ergonomic risks?

• Why Low Risk In Office Ergonomics Is Misleading

• Getting ahead of the game: Capturing The Missing Link



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Recommendations

• Work Sit to Stand

• Work Restrictions

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Why is office ergonomics discomfort often under-reported?

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LIKELIHOOD?SEVERITY?

LIKELIHOOD?SEVERITY?

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ACCURACY? CONSISTENCY?ACCURACY? CONSISTENCY?

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WHY DO WORKERS NOT REPORT DISCOMFORT?



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In the past year, have you had

discomfort caused by activities at work

that lasted more than a week?

YES NO

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Please rate your discomfort level

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Baseline

Soreness

Intermittent Pain

ChronicPain

2 3

1

4

New Baseline

5

New Baseline

6

Discomfort

Time

Stress to body

Legend

Recovery for body

DISCOMFORT TIMELINE

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Risk / WCClaims / Loss Data

Report WC Cases

Lower Awareness

FacilitiesAsset Standardization

Report Furniture Needs

Lower Awareness

HRMedical Accommodation

Report Serious Medical

Lower Awareness

MedicalDoctors Notes

Clinic Visits/Reports

Medium Awareness

IT/SoftwareRisk/Algorithms

Depends on User Input

Medium Awareness

SafetyEarly Reporting

User Determination

Higher Awareness

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Can workstation design eliminate office ergonomic risks?

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SIT-STAND WORKSTATIONS. Are they a solution to musculoskeletal stress?ASSP Professional Safety Journal – Oct 2018 Page 75 – Lin & Bao 2016

• Background

– Electric sit stand height adjustable workstations provided to all

– 13 participants selected / only 4 selected from actual sit stand use

– EMG testing focused on shoulder & back muscles

• Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)

• Purpose

– Quantify/validate sit stand benefits



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Participant A Participant B

8X

1.24X 2X

2X

Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) – Left Trapezius & Right Forearm Extensor Muscles

1X

1X

1X

1X

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Participant C Participant D

3X1X

1X

1X

2X

2X

1X

1X

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• CONCLUSION

– No consistent trend in the effect of posture on

muscle static loading on the shoulder and upper

body muscles

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ANALYSIS OF

SIT STAND

REQUESTS CASES

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• CONSIDERATIONS

– 4 out of 13 utilization of sit stand desk (31%)

– Without training/instructions, sit stands can result in greater risk and

discomfort due to improper desk height adjustments & postures

– Environmental, organizational, psychological issues involved (ex: open)

– Furniture adoption should be individualized, similar to medical treatments


Why Low Risk In Office

Ergonomics Is Misleading

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( Frequency x Duration ) �� Risk

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( Frequency x Duration ) �� Risk

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Office Ergonomics

Sprains / Strains / Carpal Tunnel

Industrial Ergonomics

Fatalities / Serious Injuries

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Fatality

Lost Time

Medical Treatment

Near Miss

Unsafe Behaviors /

Hazards

Typically

Documented

Typically

Undocumented

Claims

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Getting ahead of the game: Capturing The Missing Link

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RISK �� CLAIM

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RISK �� REPORT �� CLAIM

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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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0-8

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2-6

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7-8

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6-9

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6-10

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Establish a baseline

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• New Hire / New Office

• Annual Refresher

• Via Ergo Requests

• Reports of Discomfort

DISCOMFORT BASELINE

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DISCOMFORT BASELINE

Date Name Activity Min Max Comments

1/2/2018 Jane Doe Ergo Evaluation Assessment 6 8 Identification of Risk

Self Reported

Discomfort Levels

2/4/2018 Jane Doe Follow Up Assessment 2 4 Reduction of Risk

3/6/2018 Mary Jane New Hire Self Assessment 2 4 Report of Pre-existing Risk3/6/2018 Mary Jane New Hire Self Assessment 2 4 Report of Pre-existing Risk

6/1/2018 Mary Jane Discomfort Self Assessment 4 6 Report of Increased Risk6/1/2018 Mary Jane Discomfort Self Assessment 4 6 Report of Increased Risk

6/4/2018 Mary Jane Ergo Evaluation Assessment 4 6 Confirmation of Risk

7/2/2018 John Smith Ergo Request Self Assessment 0 0 Report of No Risk

7/6/2018 John Smith Ergo Evaluation Assessment 2 6 Identification of Hidden Risk

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Identify Trends

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Example 1: 64 Evaluations

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The Potential Impact Of Unreported Discomfort

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

via

Discomfort

via Doctor via Screening via Colleague via Curiosity

Request Reason By Eval Discomfort Status

Yes

No

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The Potential Impact Of Unreported Discomfort

77%

23%

Did not report

discomfort

initially (118)Reported

discomfort

initially (388)

Discomfort Evaluations (506)

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• Fewer Workers Compensation Claims

• Increased Employee Morale

• Reduction in Employee Gamification

• Reinforce Culture of Safety & Health

Impact of Comprehensive Office Ergo

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Director of Office Ergonomics, Chubb Global Risk Advisors

[email protected]

Documents

THE IMPACT OF UNREPORTED OFFICE ERGONOMICS CLAIMS · 2018. 11. 21. · 6/4/2018 Mary Jane Ergo Evaluation Assessment 4 6 Confirmation of Risk 7/2/2018 John Smith Ergo Request Self