jane m. whalen price, pt, dpt health, wellness and ergonomics manager hunter douglas window fashions
TRANSCRIPT
ERGONOMICS
Jane M. Whalen Price, PT, DPTHealth, Wellness and Ergonomics Manager
Hunter Douglas Window Fashions
What it is. . . .
A process, not a program Defined profession that has developed
over the last +75 years Follows concepts of continuous
improvement Cyclical process—find the issue, fix the
issue, and check back Small projects and changes are
significant.
Essentials for Success
Management support at the C-suite
Measures
Integrated approach
Assessments
Leadership must prioritize ergonomics
Defining specific measures assures completion
Accountability and ownership at all levels
Proactively assess activities and postures
Where to focus:
Force Posture
Frequency (repetition)
Other considerations
Vibration Temperatures Soft tissue compression Impact stress Glove issues
When to start. . .
Best opportunity for ergonomic intervention is at the beginning— People are the source of productivity for a company;
design for employee performance and well-being in the job tasks.
Focus on the cognitive, physiological, and biomechanical capacities of the person; this will lead to optimal productivity and minimum error
When asked to work outside of their capacity, people will work unreliably and may eventually break down.
Design for what people do well and against what people do not do well.
Source: HumanTech , Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008
Team Approach
Engineers Safety team Health and
Wellness professionals
Ergonomic professionals
Business Managers Employees who
perform the tasks
WMSDs are driving the need. . .
Work related musculoskeletal disorders Account for over 30% of lost-workday injuries
and illnesses Account for more than $20 billion in workers
compensation costs in the United States Account for $1 out of every $3 spent for
workers compensation costs
Source: HumanTech Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008.
Other factors impacting WMSDs
Aging and Obese Employees The standard for ergonomic design is getting
larger and older Currently obesity exceeds 30% in all gender
and age groups in the United States 33 states with a prevalence of >25% of the
population 9 states with >30% prevalence
1990 Obesity Map
2000 Obesity Map
2010 Obesity Map
Obesity Map 2014
Non-Occupational Risk Factors
Previous injuries and illnessesAgeWeightHeightEnvironment
What changes: Visual acuity decreases
with aging Grasping and reaching
movements decrease Movement precision
decreases Strength decreases with
age 8% reduction between
ages of 51-60 years and 34% reduction in force ability at 61-70 years
Non-Occupational Risk Factors
Previous injuries and illnessesAgeWeightHeightEnvironment
What changes: Among the population
ages 51 to 70 years of age, 75% are overweight or obese Weight gain is associated
with increased time in sedentary activities
Fat accelerates aging—adds and additional 9 years to your age (physiological age)
Excess weight increases oxygen requirements
Body changes impact ability to perform efficient reaching forward and overhead
Non-Occupational Risk Factors
Previous injuries and IllnessesAgeWeightHeightEnvironment
Health impact: Diabetes Cardiovascular disorders
due to poor fitness level Pulmonary disorders Arthritis Cancers
Design Principles Do Not Change
STANDING WORK HEIGHTS HORIZONTAL REACHING GUIDELINES
Reaching
The Golden Rule Place objects
between knee and shoulder height
Design so that the tallest male fits and the shortest female can reach
Considerations for Age and Weight
AGING WORKER OBESE WORKER
Increase font size and illumination to improve visual acuity
Minimize glare Choose in line tools, pistol
grip power tools, and right angle tools for joint protection
Avoid stall or direct drive tools, use pulse system and mechanical clutch mechanisms
Stay in the comfort zone—avoid forward bending
Ergonomic design to provide appropriate equipment for body weight –chairs, keyboards, shoes, and PPE size variety
Encourage health and wellness
Avoid one size fits all or most theory—design for workstation adjustments
Applying Ergonomic Controls
Hierarchy of Controls Engineering controls: the preferred method for
reducing or eliminating risk factors. Administrative controls: changes to task
responsibilities that reduce exposure to risk factors.
Work practices: changes to procedures and work methods that reduce exposure to risk factors.
Source: Humantech Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008
*Sidebar*
Fitness matters, physically active adults are able to continue recreational and work activities with fewer injuries and will have less disability when injuries do occur
“If exercise were a pill, it would be the most prescribed drug in the world.” -Butler
Exercise preserves muscle mass –strength and endurance allow for ongoing safe functional independence.
2011 StudyChronic Exercise Preserves Muscle Mass in Masters
Athletes
Summary
Ergonomics is the science of supporting human efficiency and productivity
Ergonomics will promote safe work practices and support injury prevention
Ergonomics needs to transition to a leading indicator in the business and move away from loss indicators driving change
Ergonomics takes a committed team and involves process improvement.
A SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO
ASK:Did all my employees go home today without pain and able to
enjoy their personal time?AND, say YES!!!
Questions?
References:HumanTech Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008.http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trendsErgonomics: 5 Essentials Necessary for Success, Scott Ege, Ege Work Smart Solutions, PC, September 2014.Wroblewski, et al Chronic Exercise Preserves Lean Muscle Mass in Masters Athletes, The Physician and Sports Medicine, Vol 39, No 3, 2011.