Ergonomi cs A science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks, workstations, tools and equipment. PRESENTED BY: Joan M. Spencer Compliance Assistance Specialist Tampa Area Office 813-626-1177
ErgonomicsA science that focuses on human capabilities and limitations in the design of work tasks, workstations, tools and equipment.
PRESENTED BY:
Joan M. Spencer
Compliance Assistance Specialist
Tampa Area Office 813-626-1177
Costs to the Employer
• Insurance Premiums
• Medical Costs
• Absenteeism/Turnover
• Re-Training
• Decrease in Production
• Decrease in Quality
Costs to the Employees
• Pain/Suffering
• Stress
• Loss of ability to work
• Loss of wages
• Loss of ability to enjoy life
Indicators of Need
• Employee Generated Change
• Manual Material Handling
• Seasonal Hiring
• Downsizing
• Over-time
• Incentive Programs
Indicators of Need
• Complaints
• Absenteeism
• Turnover
• Accident Trends
• Poor Quality
• Decrease in Production
• 2001, Congress passed, and the President signed, Senate Joint Resolution 6, which rescinded the original ergonomics rule, and under the Congressional Review Act, prohibits the agency from issuing a rule that is substantially the same as the former one.
• OSHA assesses MSD-related issues in complaints, referrals, and targeted inspections.
• Issue General Duty Clause citations or hazard alert letters for ergonomics hazards where appropriate.
• Conduct follow-up inspections or investigations within 12 months of certain employers who receive ergonomic hazard alert letters.
OSHA Enforcement Program
Full Ergonomics Program• Management leadership and
employee participation• Hazard information and reporting• Job hazard analysis and control• Training• MSD management—that includes
taking care of the injured employee• Program evaluation
Risk Factors• Force
• Posture
• Repetition
• Temperature
• Vibration
• Pressure Points
Job FactorsPhysical demands of job Force, repetition, postures,
duration, contact stress
Workstation layout and space
Reaches, heights, seating, floor surface, contact stress
Equipment used and objects handled
Size, shape, weight, weight distribution, handle and grasp surfaces, vibration
Environmental conditions Cold, heat, glare
Work organization Work-recovery cycles, work rate, task variability
Hazard Identification& Information
• Is there a method for employee reporting of signs, symptoms, hazards and recommendations
• OSHA Form 300 • Medical Records • Insurance Records• Safety Records• Personnel Records
Job Hazard Analysis• Include each of or a representative sample
of employees in the problem job• Expand JHA to similar jobs (if comprehensive)
• Question employees on• experience signs and symptoms• difficulties of performing physical• work activities of job• which activities they associate with any
problem
Job Hazard Analysis and Control
• Ask employees for recommendations• Identify, evaluate and suggest (implement)
feasible control measures• Do you track progress in eliminating or
materially reducing the MSD• Do you identify and evaluate MSD hazards
when you change, design or purchase equipment or processes in problem jobs
Tools OSHA May Use for Evaluation
NIOSH Lifting Equation
RWL = LC X HM X VM X DM X AM X FM X CM
where LC is the load constant (23 kg),
•HM, the "Horizontal Multiplier" factor•VM, the "Vertical Multiplier" factor•DM, the "Distance Multiplier" factor•FM, the "Frequency Multiplier" factor•AM, the "Asymmetric Multiplier“ factor•CM, the "Coupling Multiplier" factor•RWL, the "Recommended Weight Limit
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/niosh/calculating_rwl.html
ControlsEngineering,Administrative, and/orWork practicesPersonal protective equipment
Engineering Controls
• Preferred method • Act on the source of the hazard• Control without relying on employee to
take self-protective action or intervention• Changing, modifying or redesigning
workstations equipment
tools materials
facilities processes
Engineering Controls • Mechanical lifting hoists
• Tool design
• Automation of work
• Work station design
• Use of handles
• Repackage for weight and size
• Padding/absorption systems
Engineering Controls: Avoid low or high reaches
Engineering Controls: Hoist, lifters
Engineering Controls: Powered Equipment
Engineering Controls: Use correct tools:
Sand rammer in foundry was modified with “home-made” vibration absorbing rings instead of original manufacturer’s equipment.
Engineering Controls: Handles
Engineering Controls: Automation Manually handling packaged product. Company is in the process of installing automatic filling & conveyor system
Engineering Controls: Workstation Design Insufficient work space to accommodate mouse/pointing device;
chair has little adjustability.
Administrative ControlsAlternate heavy tasks with light tasks. Provide variety in jobs to eliminate or reduce
repetition (i.e., overuse of the same muscle groups). Adjust work schedules, work pace, or work
practices. Provide recovery time (e.g., short rest breaks). Modify work practices so that workers perform work
within their power zone (i.e., above the knees, below the shoulders, and close to the body).
Rotate workers through jobs that use different muscles, body parts, or postures.
Administrative Controls: Use your power zone
Use a Lifter Raise the Worker Raise or Lower the Work Surface Tilt the Container
Administrative Controls: Employees involved in
manually turning dough to form pastries. Company had instituted a rotation policy to other areas within department.
Administrative Controls: Employees involved in manually handling products. Two person lift with handles.
Work Practice Controls: Training on body mechanics provided to reduce twisting at the waist. Also suggested using carts of same height as work area to reduce elevation changes.
PPEInterim control deviceWorn or used by employeeProvide in a variety of sizesShould not contribute to extreme postures
and excessive forces.Examples include: gloves or knee pads“Braces, splints, back belts,
and other similar devices arenot PPE.”
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves
Gripping gloves.
Outreach and Assistance:
• OSHA provides tools to help workplaces reduce and prevent ergonomic injuries:
• Provide expertise to assist businesses and workers
• Support programs through training grants, curriculum development and other means
• Design compliance assistance tools, new partnerships and recognition programs
• Encourage others to develop best practices
• Meat Packing Guidelines• Nursing Homes• Retail Grocery Stores • Poultry Processing • Shipyards1 The guidelines are not new standards or regulations and do not
create any new OSHA duties for employers. An employer's failure to implement a guideline is, therefore, not a violation, or evidence of a violation of the general duty clause of the OSH Act
Industry Specific Guidelines:1
Additional Information
www.osha.gov
www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html