Ergo Keween

What is Ergonomics?: 

What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is the science and practice of designing jobs or workplaces to match the capabilities and limitations of the human body. Benefits of ergonomics include: safer jobs with fewer injuries increased efficiency and productivity improved quality and fewer errors improved morale

What is a Muscularskeletal Disorder?: 

What is a Muscularskeletal Disorder? An MSD is a disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels or spinal discs.

Slide3: 

Workplace MSD’s are caused by exposure to risk factors: Repetition Force Awkward Postures Contact Stress Vibration WHAT IS A WMSD?

“Caution Zone” Jobs Require Action: 

“Caution Zone” Jobs Require Action Do you have “caution zone” jobs? Two requirements: Awareness education Evaluate “caution zone” jobs for hazards Reduce exposure below the hazard level or to the degree feasible No additional requirements Not covered No requirements Yes Hazards present No No hazards present Annual review Annual review

Slide5: 

What is a “Caution Zone” job?

Slide6: 

Awkward Postures High Hand Force Highly Repetitive Motion Repeated Impact Heavy, Frequent or Awkward Lifting Moderate to High Hand-Arm Vibration Look for These Indicators:

Awkward Postures: 

Awkward Postures Being in these work positions for more than 2 hours total per day Hands above head Elbow above shoulder Back bent forward more than 30 degrees Neck bent more than 30 degrees Squatting Kneeling

Working with the Hands Overhead: 

Working with the Hands Overhead For more than 2 hours per day

Neck or Back Bent Forward More than 30º: 

Neck or Back Bent Forward More than 30º For more than 2 hours per day

Squatting or Kneeling: 

Squatting or Kneeling For more than 2 hours per day

High Hand Force: 

High Hand Force More than 2 hours per day of: Pinching 2 or more pounds weight or 4 or more pounds force Gripping 10 or more pounds weight or force

Highly Repetitive Motion: 

Highly Repetitive Motion Workers repeat same motion every few seconds for more than 2 hours per day with: neck shoulders elbows wrists hands

Highly Repetitive Motion: 

Highly Repetitive Motion Intensive keying for more than 4 hours per day

Repeated Impact: 

Repeated Impact Using hands or knees as a hammer more than 10 times per hour more than 2 hours per day

Heavy, Frequent, or Awkward Lifting: 

Heavy, Frequent, or Awkward Lifting Lifting objects more than: 75 lbs. once/day 55 lbs. more than ten times/day 10 lbs. more than twice/minute for more than 2 hours per day 25 lbs. above shoulders, below knees, or at arms length for more than 25 times/day

Moderate to High Hand-Arm Vibration: 

Moderate to High Hand-Arm Vibration High Level Moderate Level more than 2 hours/day More than 30 Min/day

Analyzing Caution Zone Jobs for Hazards: 

Analyzing Caution Zone Jobs for Hazards Use a systematic method to look at: physical demands layout of work area size, shape, and weight of objects handled The results will help to determine controls

Hazard Zone (use Appendix B): 

Hazard Zone (use Appendix B) Risk factors become hazardous when: there is a longer duration of exposure

Hazard Zone(use Appendix B): 

Hazard Zone (use Appendix B) Risk factors become hazardous when: there is greater intensity

Slide20: 

Risk factors become hazardous when: there is a combination of risk factors Hazard Zone (use Appendix B)

Ergonomic Solutions: 

Ergonomic Solutions Using foot controls instead of standard mice controls

Ergonomic Solutions: 

Ergonomic Solutions Lift assist device to eliminate heavy, awkward lifts

Slide23: 

Shoulder harness for landscaping tool to reduce hand forces Ergonomic Solutions

Slide24: 

Voice activated software to eliminate keystrokes Ergonomic Solutions

If You Have “Caution Zone” Jobs: 

If You Have “Caution Zone” Jobs Begin an employee awareness education program Analyze your workplace for hazards Reduce any hazards you find

Ergonomics Awareness Education Should:: 

Ergonomics Awareness Education Should: Provide information on all “caution zone” risk factors Show the types, symptoms and impacts of WMSDs Show the importance of early reporting of symptoms Identify the hazards and measures to reduce them Teach the requirements of the ergonomics rule

Reducing Identified Hazards: 

Reducing Identified Hazards You need to reduce hazards to below hazard level, or to a degree technologically and economically feasible through: Engineering and administrative controls (preferred) and/or Individual work practices and PPE Employers are not required to reduce employee hours to comply

Job-Specific Training: 

Job-Specific Training Job-specific training is required only if controls change the job or work practices Training must include: hazards of the work activities safe work practices proper use and maintenance of control measures

Employee Involvement: 

Employee Involvement Your safety committee should be involved in selecting the methods of employee participation Involve your employees in: Analyzing “Caution Zone” Jobs Selecting hazard control methods Reviewing ergonomics activities annually Results should be shared with your safety committee

Remember: “Caution Zone” Jobs Require Action: 

Remember: “Caution Zone” Jobs Require Action Do you have “caution zone” jobs? Two requirements: Awareness education Evaluate “caution zone” jobs for hazards Reduce exposure below the hazard level or to the degree feasible No additional requirements Not covered No requirements Yes Hazards present No No hazards present Annual review Annual review

It Costs Less to Be Safe: 

It Costs Less to Be Safe Average cost of Average cost of * Source: SHARP Report No. 40-4a-2000