DOER Overexertion Presentation 10 07 condensed

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Workshop developed and presented by Mark A. Anderson, MA, PT, CPE ErgoSystems Consulting Group, Inc. Minneapolis, MN Ergonomics of Overexertion 2007 State Safety, Risk Management and Workers' Compensation Conference

Examples of Overexertion: 

Examples of Overexertion Human Services Technician General Maintenance Worker Transportation Generalist

Review of the Statistics: 

Review of the Statistics FY07 Workers Compensation Claims Cause >> Overexertion: 23% (625/2693) Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature: Sprain/Strains: 68% (426/625)

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Cause:: 

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Cause:

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Body Part:: 

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Body Part:

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Occupation:: 

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Occupation:

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Occupation >>Body Part:: 

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Occupation >>Body Part:

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Hazardous Condition:: 

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Hazardous Condition:

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Unsafe:: 

Cause >>Overexertion >>Nature >> Sprain/Strains >> Unsafe:

Summary of Data: 

Summary of Data What we know and what we don't know! 23% of workers compensation claims related to overexertion 68% of overexertion related to sprains/strains 66% of overexertion sprains/strains related to manual handling (either object or person) Other 34% is listed as unknown 41% affected the back Another 15% were categorized as multiple body parts and probably included back 56% probably affected back 15% affected shoulders

Summary of Data (cont.): 

Summary of Data (cont.) Top three occupations: Human Services Technician – A General Maintenance Worker 1 – A Transportation Generalist 90% listed “No Hazardous Condition” Data validity?? Why did injury occur if no hazardous condition existed? 50% listed “No Unsafe Act” Data validity?? Why did injury occur if no unsafe act occurred? 16% Listed “Improper Use of Body Parts” or “Unsafe Posture/Position”

Prevent/Control Overexertion Injuries?: 

Prevent/Control Overexertion Injuries? Understand and control physical stress imposed on body Focus on spine and extremities Make use of ergonomics principles and applications Identify and improve workstation/equipment design and work processes Improve job performance Enhance workplace safety and productivity

First of all . . . What is Ergonomics?: 

First of all . . . What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is like throwing a ball into the air What happens? Correct! The ball comes back down Why? Because GRAVITY works!

Applied to work: 

Applied to work Other options?

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So, in our workspace, given a certain set of circumstances we will respond in a fairly predictable way

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If we want to change the response . . . We need to change the circumstances!

Definition of Ergonomics: 

Definition of Ergonomics The word “ergonomics” comes to us from the Greek ‘Ergon’ means work and ‘nomos’ means the laws or study of So, ergonomics is literally the “laws or study of work”

Why does ergonomics work?: 

Why does ergonomics work? Uses strategies to identify and solve problems Is design based; it addresses true root cause not just symptoms Is cost-effective; it incorporates an incremental approach to interventions

Why does ergonomics work?: 

Why does ergonomics work? Makes use of best ergonomists in world . . . people who do the work!

Why does ergonomics work?: 

Why does ergonomics work? Uses strategies to identify and solve problems Is design based; it addresses true root cause not just symptoms Is cost-effective; it incorporates an incremental approach to interventions Makes use of the best ergonomists

The Body: 

The Body Magnificent feat of engineering Strong yet supple Capable of phenomenally precise movement Able to heal itself

Background on Body : 

Background on Body Skeleton/Bone Joints Ligaments Muscles Tendons Nerves Blood supply

The Spine: 

The Spine Function of spine Structure Flexibility

Arms and Hands, Legs and Feet: 

Arms and Hands, Legs and Feet Function of extremities Make up of extremities

Ergonomics Principles: 

Ergonomics Principles

Position and support in neutral : 

Position and support in neutral Spine neutral position S-shape Spring like Arm/hand neutral position

Work in Reach Zone : 

Work in Reach Zone Stature and arm’s length determine REACH ZONE Work in REACH ZONE

Correct Tools, Equipment and Facilities : 

Correct Tools, Equipment and Facilities

Promote effective work processes: 

Promote effective work processes Take step back and really examine why something is done as it is If answer is. . . ‘Because it has always been done that way!’ Take fresh look Is there better way to get it done?

Health and Wellness!: 

Health and Wellness! Health and wellness concepts and practices built into course of doing business For example movement helps to control fatigue

Summary of Ergonomics Principles: : 

Summary of Ergonomics Principles: Position and support body in neutral Work in power zone Provide correct tools, equipment and facilities Promote effective work processes Promote Health and Wellness

Manual Material Handling (Occupational Biomechanics): 

Manual Material Handling (Occupational Biomechanics)

NIOSH Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting: 

NIOSH Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting Four primary bodies of knowledge – Epidemiology Biomechanics Psychophysics Physiology Enables calculation of a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)

Considerations: 

Considerations 99% of men and 75% of women Multipliers Load constant (51#) Horizontal distance (from L-5/S-1 to hands) Vertical position (hands to floor) Vertical distance (hands: origin to destination) Asymmetry (twisting of spine) Frequency (lifts per minute and duration) Coupling (Graded: Poor, Fair, Good)

Lifting CalculatorWashington State Department of Labor and Industries: 

Lifting Calculator Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

Manual Material Handling (Worksheet): 

Manual Material Handling (Worksheet)

Manual Material Handling: 

Manual Material Handling Eliminate (as feasible) manual handling Make use of mechanical handling equipment (fork lifts, powered lifts, etc.) Reduce physical stress of manual handling Make use of manual handing equipment (carts, two-wheelers, etc.) Design to allow sliding rather than lifting Design to allow lifting between waist to chest level Decrease frequency of manual handling Remove any physical barriers that increase distance from body Promote accepted power lift techniques (wide foot base, neutral spine, load close, head-up)

If you like to solve problems . . . ergonomics is for you!: 

If you like to solve problems . . . ergonomics is for you!

People Love Change, Right?: 

People Love Change, Right? Most people do not like change Introduce change in a very careful manner Other wise the solution will not work

Why do people resist change?: 

Why do people resist change? Wasn’t their idea! Fear! Habit! No one else is changing!

How to overcome resistance to change?: 

How to overcome resistance to change? Wasn’t their idea! Fear! Habit! No one else is changing!

Problem Solving Steps: 

Problem Solving Steps Background information Current major steps Compare present method to principles Develop, justify and implement solutions Follow-up to fine tune

Applications: 

Applications Human Services Technician General Maintenance Worker Transportation Generalist

Applications: 

Applications Human Services Technician

OSHA and Manual Lifting: 

OSHA and Manual Lifting OSHA recommends manual lifting of residents should be minimized in all cases and eliminated when possible

Other Control Methods: 

Other Control Methods Use of transfer aids and mechanical means to position/transfer patient/residents

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Basic Transfer Aides Gait belts with handles Hand slings Sliding boards Stand assist and repositioning aids On furnishings On walls Self supporting

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Lateral Transfer Aids Friction reducing lateral slide aids Rigid boards Flexible sheets Rollers Air assisted Mechanical lateral transfer aids Hand cranks Electric motor

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Mechanical Lifts Portable base full sling Portable base stand assist Ceiling mounted track Wall mounted Bathing Pool Automobile

Mechanical Lifts: 

Mechanical Lifts Should be used whenever possible Eliminate manual lifting wherever possible Training with each device!

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Ceiling Mounted Lifts

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Ergonomic Designed Furnishings Transfer chair Bed improvements Aiding transfers Minimizing transfers Minimizing repositioning Stretchers Toilets Tubs and showers

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Bariatric Equipment

Applications: 

Applications General Maintenance Worker

Technique/Body Mechanics: 

Technique/Body Mechanics What is good technique? In other words, “What are rules of proper body mechanics?”

One more rule we haven’t listed?: 

One more rule we haven’t listed? 50# box on the floor What is the first thing to think about?

One more we haven’t listed?: 

One more we haven’t listed? 50# box on the floor? What is the first thing to think about? WHY IS IT ON THE FLOOR TO START WITH? First principle of technique is ergonomics!

Manual Material Handling: 

Manual Material Handling Eliminate (as feasible) manual handling Make use of mechanical handling equipment (fork lifts, powered lifts, etc.) Reduce physical stress of manual handling Make use of manual handing equipment (carts, two-wheelers, etc.) Design to allow sliding rather than lifting Design to allow lifting between waist to chest level Decrease frequency of manual handling Remove any physical barriers that increase distance from body Promote accepted power lift techniques (wide foot base, neutral spine, load close, head-up)

Manual Handling and Body Mechanics: 

Manual Handling and Body Mechanics Body is a series of lever arms Goal is to improve mechanical advantage

Two Handed Lifting Technique Basics: 

Two Handed Lifting Technique Basics Planning Think lift through Know where load will end up Decide if manual or power equipment Get help if needed Good communication Partner: Lift in unison

Power Lift Basics: 

Power Lift Basics Use Power Lift technique Feet wide Maintain neutral spine Keep load close Build a Bridge Good grip Look UP!

Slide63: 

LOOK DOWN LOOK UP

Slide64: 

Remember the safest lift is . . . the one you don’t do!

Applications: 

Applications Transportation Generalist

Applications: 

Applications

Summary of Ergonomics Principles: : 

Summary of Ergonomics Principles: Position and support body in neutral Work in reach zone Provide correct tools, equipment and facilities Promote effective work processes Promote Health and Wellness

Resources: 

Resources http://.www.osha,gov http://www.visn8.med.va.gov/patientsafetycenter/ http://www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/sphm/ http://ergoweb.com http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/Ergonomics/ServicesResources/Tools/default.asp

Thanks!: 

Thanks!

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Workshop developed and presented by Mark A. Anderson, MA, PT, CPE ErgoSystems Consulting Group, Inc. Minneapolis, MN Ergonomics of Overexertion 2007 State Safety, Risk Management and Workers' Compensation Conference