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Ergonomics for Fire and EMS DepartmentsCommand Staff Ergonomics : Ergonomics for Fire and EMS Departments Command Staff Ergonomics University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center This material has been made possible by a grant from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, Department of Consumer and Business Services


Today’s Workshop : Today’s Workshop Cumulative Trauma Risk factors for musculoskeletal injury Elements of an ergonomics program Will provide information on: Information resources for developing an ergonomics program in your department


Fire and EMS Work : Fire and EMS Work Requires workers to: Always be prepared Respond quickly Think and react quickly Not always be in control of schedule Work in hazardous situations Physically & Emotionally Demanding


Cost of Injury : Cost of Injury 31.4 % of firefighter injuries due to overexertion Overexertion is due to pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, wielding or throwing objects Per claim, average workers’ compensation cost of ALL injuries to firefighters = $5168 Per claim, workers’ compensation average cost for overexertion = $9715 Of this $9715, only $3458 was for direct medical costs


Avoidable Injuries : Avoidable Injuries Acute injuries Happen immediately Can become chronic Re-injury possible Chronic injuries Pain or symptoms lasting more than a month Cumulative trauma Happens over time


Cumulative Trauma Cycle : Cumulative Trauma Cycle irritation to tissue microtrauma (small tears) produces scar tissue Keeps repeating as long as activity continues Activity results in:  flexibility  strength  function adhesions form adhesions coalesce


Repetitive Motions : Repetitive Motions Same posture or motions again and again Repetitive motion can be very frequent over short period of time Cumulative trauma can be less frequent but repeated over time


Break the Injury Cycle : Fatigue Discomfort Pain Injury Disability Break the Injury Cycle re-injury may be likely


Disc Herniations : Disc Herniations Disc damage is frequently the result of cumulative, repetitive trauma as well as overexertion Outer disc fibers repeatedly tear and heal as a result of repetitive overloading The disc weakens overtime (years) leading to herniation of the nucleus, causing back and leg pain, and numbness


What is Ergonomics? : What is Ergonomics? The goal of ergonomics is to design the job to fit the worker, NOT fit the worker to the job. Environment Task/job Worker


Musculoskeletal Risk Factors : Musculoskeletal Risk Factors Risk magnitude is increased by time, intensity, or combining factors Excessive force/weight (pulling, pushing or lifting) Awkward postures Prolonged postures Repetition Temperature extremes


Slide12 : Injury Prevention Program SAFETY ERGONOMICS HEALTH ERGONOMICS TEAM labor & management TRAINING MEDICAL MANAGEMENT risk factors identified HAZARD PREVENTION & CONTROL JOB ANALYSIS REVIEW


Ergonomics Program Elements : Ergonomics Program Elements Assessment of musculoskeletal hazards Prevention and control of musculoskeletal hazards Training A medical management system Procedures for reporting injuries A plan for the implementation of the program Methods for evaluating the program


1) Assessment of Hazards : 1) Assessment of Hazards A hazard analysis breaks a job down into elements which can be described and measured It allows the inherent risk to be quantified It identifies the conditions within a job that contribute to risk It is performed by person with ergonomics training Safety committee members Line personnel


When to do a Hazard Assessment : When to do a Hazard Assessment Identify jobs where: Work-related injuries have occurred previously Frequent severe or non-severe injuries occur Past injuries result in work restrictions Workers leave because of inability to perform the physical requirements of job Sustainable quality performance difficult Worker complaints of unresolving pain or fatigue


Prevention and Control : Prevention and Control Set short term and long term goals Think outside the box – come up with many potential solutions Decide on the optimal solution by considering Barriers Costs Amount of risk reduced Line personnel think of great solutions!


Ergonomic Solutions : Ergonomic Solutions Effectiveness Personal control Bodymechanics Personal protective equipment Job organization Equipment or Engineering


3) Ergonomics Training : 3) Ergonomics Training Part of an ergonomics program is to provide training to fire and EMS personnel Ergonomics training curriculum is free from Oregon OSHA. Modules include: “Introduction to Ergonomics and Cumulative Trauma” “Job Hazard Analysis” “Developing and Implementing Ergonomic Solutions” “Bodymechanics & Back Health”


4) Medical Management System : 4) Medical Management System Regular medical exams Regular physical conditioning Periodic fitness/wellness evaluations Education/training Preventive Measures: Reactive Measures: Early recognition and treatment Access to medical and rehabilitative care Alterative work Workers’ compensation


5) Injury Reporting System : 5) Injury Reporting System Define what constitutes a ‘reportable injury’ Not reporting may lead to more serious injuries Minor injury logs Mechanism to report injuries Identify lines of responsibility worker safety committee employer medical provider


Reporting Injuries : Reporting Injuries Train personnel Ergonomics Record keeping Record keeping Clearly identify injury cause Differentiate between acute and repetitive Follow-up Feedback into the ergonomics program Identify and address hazard


Gaining Support : Gaining Support Part of existing safety and health program Management commitment Worker involvement Union involvement Awareness and education 6) Implementing Your Program


Slide23 : Support from department, local government, community and line personnel essential Launch kick-off meeting by chief to explain program Establish ergonomics committee Establish lines of communication & responsibility Commit resources – time and money Commitment & Involvement


Ergonomics Committee : Ergonomics Committee Set short-term and long-term goals Identify useful tools and resources Develop ergonomic awareness Identify & modify high risk activities via Risk assessments Surveys Injury-records Make necessary changes to work environment


7) Evaluating Your Program : 7) Evaluating Your Program How do you know what is working? Statistics Health Program General Cost / Benefit Analysis


Statistics : Statistics Health: reduction in injury rate, severity costs (overhead, medical, worker’s comp) time loss Program: numbers of hazards identified solutions proposed solutions approved solutions implemented General: having appropriate equipment improved work environment improved work practices boosted morale healthier relations


Cost/Benefit Analysis : Cost/Benefit Analysis Pre-program injury costs Implementing the program Injury costs with program


Ergonomic Resources : Ergonomic Resources FEMA: Fire and EMS Ergonomics search for “ergonomics” on www.fema.gov/ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Elements of Ergonomics Programs & Guide to Evaluating the Effectiveness of Strategies for Preventing Work Injuries www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html Oregon OSHA www.orosha.org/consult/ergonomic/ergonomics.htm Federal OSHA www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html


Conclusions : Conclusions Cumulative trauma occurs over time Applying ergonomics = injury prevention = $$ saved An ergonomics program is a comprehensive approach at applying ergonomics Command staff are integral to a successful ergonomics program


Questions and Evaluation : Questions and Evaluation Thank you for your attention ? ? ? ?