Environmental Health and Safety 1 Construction Ergonomics Construction Ergonomics This material was developed for a company’s use based on its needs and requirements. It may not be applicable to the needs and requirements of others. This training material should not be used without independent review and approval of technical and legal experts for the organization and area of use.
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OR-OSHA Construction Ergonomics Presentation - State of Oregon: Oregon OSHA …osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/ergo/consergopres.pdf · · 2016-05-03Environmental Health and Safety 2 Outline
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Construction ErgonomicsConstruction Ergonomics
This material was developed for a company’s use based on its needs and requirements. It may not be applicable to the needs and requirements of others. This training material should not be used without independent review and approval of technical and legal experts for the organization and area of use.
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OutlineOutlineReview Basic Ergonomics Principles
What is ergonomics?Types of ergonomic injuriesImportance of early reportingStretching basics
Ergonomic risk factors present in construction
Ergonomics tips to minimize risk factor exposure
Summary
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Ergonomics (er'gõ nom'iks):The study of work and the relationship of work tothe physical and cognitive capabilities of peopleFitting the job (tools, tasks, and environment) tothe employee, instead of forcing the worker to fitthe job
Ergonomic principles derived from manyareas, including:
Injury to soft tissue caused by prolonged exposure to multipleergonomic risk factorsTypically develop in small body segments (i.e. fingers, wrists,elbows, and neck)
Examples of CTD’sTendon disorders:
– Inflammation of tendon and/or tendon sheathing caused by repeatedrubbing against ligaments, bone, etc.
Injury to connective tissue caused by singleforceful event: lifting heavy objects in awkwardpositionCommon to large body segments (i.e. back,legs, and shoulders)Risk of injury increases with the presence ofmultiple risk factors
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Early Reporting of Ergonomic IssuesEarly Reporting of Ergonomic IssuesProactive Reporting:
Report suspected ergonomics risk factorsto your supervisor and safetycommittee representative
Early Reporting Process:Report pain or discomfort associated withwork to your supervisor and OccupationalHealth Services
Benefits to Early Reporting:Leads to early care and quicker healing,preventing chronic problemsLeads to quicker identification of the rootcause of the injuryWill initiate an ergonomics evaluation bytrained personnel
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Stretching BasicsStretching BasicsBenefits of stretching:
Increases flexibility/elasticity ofmusclesIncreases circulation to warm themuscles, improving mental alertness,reducing fatigueDecreases muscle tension and stress
When to Stretch:Prior to starting your dayDuring short breaks (at least once perhour)After breaks or lunch to prevent fatigueIf tension or stress is apparentAfter a lengthy task duration or anextended awkward posture
Relax and breathe normally. Do nothold your breath.Hold each stretch for a count of 15, oras long as comfort is maintained.Use gentle, controlled motions. Do notbounce!Keep the knees slightly bent for betterbalance.Stretch until a mild tension is felt, thenrelax.Stretch by how you feel and not byhow far you can go.
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Ergonomic Risk FactorsErgonomic Risk Factors
Awkward Posture
Repetition
Force
Static LoadingCo
ntac
tSt
ress
Vibration
Risk of injury increases with:Prolonged exposure to any of these ergonomic risk factorsPresence of multiple risk factors within a single job task
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Avoid overhead reaching andkneeling when possible
Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Awkward PosturesErgonomic Tips to Minimize Awkward Postures
Work near elbow height to avoidbending excessive bending
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Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Awkward PosturesErgonomic Tips to Minimize Awkward Postures
Where awkward postures areunavoidable, change tasks, stretch,and take short breaks frequently
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Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Awkward PosturesErgonomic Tips to Minimize Awkward Postures
Select the correct tool handle orientation based uponworksurface height/orientation (when possible)
Select this tool typeSurface OrientationPrimary Use
Pistol grip In-line grip
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Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Ergonomic Tips to Minimize ForceForceUse mechanical lift assists andcarts when available
Avoid manually handling heavyobjects (more than 35 pounds)
Avoid carrying objects more than 100feet
Practice Proper Cart HandlingPush instead of pulling
Use both hands when pushing
Stand directly behind the cart whenpushing (avoid twisting your body)
Maintain good control and limit speed
Ensure cart is not overloaded
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Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Ergonomic Tips to Minimize ForceForceUse proper lifting techniques whenlifting
Examine the load and the surroundingareaBend knees when lifting a loadLook forward to keep back straightPosition the load close to the bodyMaintain a firm grip on the loadUse smooth, controlled movementsKeep arms in front of bodyTurn feet in direction of movement toavoid twisting
Get help before performingtasks requiring excessiveforce
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Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Ergonomic Tips to Minimize ForceForce
A lift, hoist or other mechanicalassistance is unavailableThe object is heavier than you arecapable of lifting alone (typically morethan 35 pounds)The object is not heavier than whattwo people are capable of lifting(typically less than 60 pounds)The object is awkward or oversized.Any object that does not have itsweight equally distributed within theload.Remember some objects are tooheavy or awkward to be handledwith two people
A Two-Person Lift Is Appropriate When. . .A Two-Person Lift Is Appropriate When. . .
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Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Ergonomic Tips to Minimize ForceForceUse the correct tools / poweredtools for the task
Powered tools tend to require lessexertion to perform a task
Ensure that the weight of a poweredtool (and cording) does not createadditional force issues
Use only the amount of forcenecessary to complete the task
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Repetition:Use power tools when available
Change tasks, stretch, or take abreak from repetitive tasks