ergonomics basics for employers

ERGONOMICS BASICSFOR EMPLOYERS

This material was produced under grant numbers SH-22300-11-F-17 from the Occupational Safety and Health administration, U.S. Dept. of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U. S. Government.

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?Ergonomics is the study of the ‘fit’ between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who perform the work…considering variability in human capabilities when designing, selecting, or modifying equipment, tools, work tasks, or the work environment. Source: Easy Ergonomics OR-OSHA

Repetition

Environmental Conditions

Work Organization

Contact Stress

Vibration Posture

Force

ERGONOMIC HAZARDS/RISK FACTORS FOR MUSCULAR SKELETAL DISORDERs (MSDs)

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT ERGONOMICS?Leading Cause of Workplace Injury:Ergonomic Hazards

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

YEAR # OF CASES % OF ALL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES2006 357,160 30%2007 335,390 29%2008 317,440 29%2009 348,740 28%2010 346,400 34%

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT ERGONOMICSHow Much Do MSDs Cost Employers?

YEAR COST (in billions) % of TOTAL COSTALL WORKPLACE

INJURIES

2006 1 $12.4 25.7

2007 2 12.7 24.0

2008 3 13.4 25.0

2009 4 12.75 25.4

1 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 20082 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 20093 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 20104 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2011

DIRECT COSTS● Higher workers’ compensation premiums

● Medical services to assess & accommodate injured workers

Source: Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA

INDIRECT COSTS●Employee turnover increased

● Absenteeism increased

● Retraining needed

● Product quality affected

Source: Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU MIGHT HAVE AN ERGONOMICS

PROBLEM?

HOW DO YOU KNOW MIGHT HAVE AN ERGONOMICS PROBLEM?

● Employees report problems● Employees modify tools, equipment● Production bottlenecks● Product quality affected● Employee absentee/turnover increase● OSHA 300 Log patterns● Workers’ compensation cases increase

• WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE PICTURES?

• WHERE’S THE ERGONOMIC HAZARD?

• WHY DOES THIS HAZARD EXIST

• WHAT’S CAUSING THE HAZARD?

Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS PREVENT/REDUCEERGONOMIC HAZARDS?

• Engineering Controls

• Administrative Controls

• Personal Protective Equipment

Be careful about how to fix the problem.

The control should not eliminate one risk factor and create another.

A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM


• Worker and Union Involvement


• Worker and Union Involvement• Job Analysis & Hazard Identification


• Worker and Union Involvement• Job Analysis & Hazard Identification• Reporting System


• Worker and Union Involvement• Job Analysis & Hazard Identification• Reporting System• Training & Education


• Worker and Union Involvement• Job Analysis & Hazard Identification• Reporting System• Training & Education• Hazard Prevention & Control


• Worker and Union Involvement• Job Analysis & Hazard Identification• Reporting System• Training & Education• Hazard Prevention & Control• Program Evaluation


• Worker and Union Involvement• Job Analysis & Hazard Identification• Reporting System• Training & Education• Hazard Prevention & Control• Program Evaluation• Medical Management

OSHA’s authority on ergonomic hazards: OSHA Act Section (5) (a) (1)

• Does a hazard exist?

• Is the hazard recognized?

• Is the hazard likely to cause serious harm?

• Is there a feasible means to reduce the hazard?

WHERE TO GET HELP● Your Industry Trade Association

● OSHA Consultation Service Illinois (217) 782-9386 Indiana (317) 232-2683

WHERE TO GET HELP● NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation

● Universities

RESOURCESEasy Ergonomics. OR-OSHAhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/3347.pdf

OSHA ergonomic guidelines by industry, training, tools, success stories, program exampleswww.osha.gov NIOSH research on ergonomic hazards & solutions www.cdc.gov/niosh

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/3347.pdf

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/3347.pdf

http://www.osha.gov/

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

ergonomics basics for employers

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