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Ergonomics and the UCBerkeley Campus

Mallory Lynch, MA, CEA

Ergonomics Specialist

April 26, 2006


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What is Ergonomics?

It is the science of fitting the job, tool or task

to the individual

Risk Factors

Repetition Awkward Posture

Force

Vibration

Contact Stress


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Ergonomics

The majority of the ergonomics injuries on our campus arerelated to working on the computer; however, thedepartments with the highest injury rates have job tasksthat are non-computer related.

The Ergonomics Task Force is an interdisciplinary groupwith members from Capital Projects (Architects), DisabilityManagement Services, Environmental Health and Safety,Ergonomics@Work, Human Resources, OccupationalMedicine, Physical Therapy and Procurement andBusiness Contracts. They work together to develop

strategies to help with ergonomic challenges on thecampus.

They use different ergonomics tools to understand theproblems and develop solutions.


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Ergonomics Tools

Tools

Americans with Disabilities Act

Anthropometric Data

Architectural Graphic Design Guide

Ergonomics Job Analysis

Focus Groups

Mock ups

Personal Interviews

Pilot Programs

Questionnaires

Video taping


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Job Hazard Analysis Tools

Snook Push/Pull/Lift/Lower/Carry Hazard Tables

Washington State Checklist

Rapid Upper Limb Assessment - RULA

Rapid Entire Body Assessment - REBA Job Strain Index

National Institute of Safety and Health -NIOSH Lifting

Guide (Manual Material Handling)

American Conference of Governmental IndustrialHygienists Hand Activity Level and Threshold Limit

Values ACGIH HAL-TLV


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Case #1: Physical Plant

Injury data showed high rate of ergonomic injuries forcustodians, including low back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist andhand

Job tasks were specific to trash and recycle functions

These tasks included collecting trash and recycle separately

and also throwing filled plastic bags into outside garbage bins Met with department management for review of data

Personal interviews with supervisors and staff and job taskanalysis of specific trash and recycle tasks

Developed recommendations

Pilot program for feasibility of interventions


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Trash and Recycle Containers

Pulling one container andpushing another containerare unsafe. This contributesto using awkward postureswith the arms and back.

Tying two containerstogether and pulling them isunsafe because it placesstress on the shoulder andback. In addition, thecontainers take more effortto maneuver.


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A New Option for Staff

Psychophysical data frominterviews

RULA tool adjusts for awkwardshoulder positions

Snook tables, 1991 pushversus pulling

Product identified anddepartment provided samplesfor staff to test

The Rubbermaid Tandem BruteDolly is a safer alternativebecause it offers a way to pushboth containers. In addition, the

dolly takes less effort tomaneuver in narrow spaces andon uneven terrain.


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Placing Filled Bags into Outside

Garbage Bins Trash and recycle collected and

placed in larger trash bags tobe emptied into the outsidedumpsters

Staff transport filled bags downthe stairs or in the Brute Dollies

Outside dumpsters are 48inches tall and cannot bemodified because the campususes rear loading trucks tocollect and dump thedumpsters.

Majority of staff reach aboveshoulder height to place bagsinto the bins

Weight of bags vary 15-50pounds


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Challenges with Existing Design

Staff need to grasp the bag near the top to

properly throw bag to reduce being cut;

consequently, the existing design requires

the majority of the staff to frequently raise thebags above shoulder height when placing

them into the dumpsters. (Anthropometric

data).

Department has job lifting requirement of 50pounds, which is too much for this job task

(Snook Tables 1991)


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Establishing Better Standards

Set up standards for staff totie off bags at weight limitsthat felt comfortable for thembut not to exceed 25 pounds(Snook Tables 1991)

Provided training for staff topractice new techniques andunderstand weight limit(handouts in 5 languages)


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Campus Departments Working

Together as a Team

TRASH ENCLOSURE

DESIGN CRITERIA

6/2003

Ergonomic Design ForPeople; Eastman Kodak

1986

Snook Pull Table, 1991


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Design for the Smallest Population

Percentile


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Design for the Smallest Population

Percentile

Access to the top of outside garbage can

should not exceed 36 inches.

The previous design showed a 24 inch

concrete ramp around the back of thegarbage bins to raise the worker up higher.


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Physical Plant

Questions or commentsregarding Case #1


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Case #2: Reception Counters at

University Health Services

Reception counters built

using architectural

graphic standards.

Transaction counter (24

in. L x 12 in. D x 42 in.

H)

Cookson fire doors

close at night

ADA accessibility


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Reception Counters

Built in counters for staff (90in. L x 24 in. D x 30 in. H)

Reaching up and forward toclient

Numerous injuries to neck

and shoulder With a remodel:

what tools would you useto help understand therisk factors?

how would you decreasethe reach and provide formore adjustability?


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Tools

American with Disabilities Act

Anthropometric Data

Architectural Graphic Design Guide

Ergonomics Job Analysis Washington State Checklist

Focus Groups

Mock ups

Personal Interviews Working with table manufacturers


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Adjustable workstations

Take out the built-in

counter

Provide two height

adjustable tables having

a shallower depth

Place the computers in

the corner area to

provide more desk

space around theemployee.


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Modified the Transaction Counter

Change the transaction

counter to position the

client closer to the

employee.

Relocate the ADA table

and change the sign in

practice to make it a

universal design.


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Reduced the Reach

Change the transaction

counter to position theclient closer to the

employee.


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Mock Up To Give Visual

Representation

Creates staff buy-in

Identifies potential

improvements toproposed design

Finished product


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Reception Counter

Questions or commentsregarding Case #2


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Case #3: Campus Dining

New dining facility opened in 1/2003

Serve between 900-1307 lunches and 1500-

2500 dinners/day

9 ergonomic injuries have occurred in thedish room since the opening

Met with managers, supervisors and staff to

better understand the different tasks


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Dish room

5 tier tray conveyor

3 stations to break downtrays

Trough at station 1 is 12inches wide



2 trays can fit in each tiered

compartment Dish machine runs parallel to

tray conveyor


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Tray Conveyor

Key issues identified in

the area included:

Excessive reaching to

grab trays and items

on the trayveyor Frequent lifting and

carrying filled racks

Staff shortages

Limited area to stagethe dirty dishes


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Quick Fix Recommendations

Unbolt the top tray on theconveyor to eliminatereaching above shoulderheight

Block part of the next section

so only one tray can fit in thearea.

Consider going back to usinglarger trays so only one canfit on each level

Position shorter staff atstations with least amount ofreach to conveyor

Provide more staff


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Silverware

4 out of the 9 ergonomic injurieshappened while lifting andcarrying heavy racks ofsilverware and from repetitivehandling of the silverware.

The silverware goes through the

machine 3 times. Staff sort theclean silverware after the firsttime through and put likeutensils in containers. Thesecontainers are placed in racks.


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Quick Fix Recommendations

Staff should reduce theamount of dirtysilverware they place inthe full rack or

Provide half sizesilverware racks

Weight should notexceed 10 pounds tomake it easier for the

staff to transport


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More Quick Fixes

Reduce the weight by only

placing eight filled utensil

containers in the rack that

has 16 slots.

Place several empty racks

on the cart to raise the

overall working height of

sorting utensils.

Use a small cart to transport

the racks to and from the

dish machine.


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Long Term Recommendations

Design of dish room is too small for volume of meals

Dish room needs to be remodeled

Hire a dish room consultant

Get input from dish room staff

Provide ergonomic input throughout all phases of theremodel

Study University of Iowa design

2 single level tray conveyors and six separate stationsto break the trays down.

Ample storage and areas to stage dirty dishes


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Campus Dining

Questions or comments

regarding Case #3


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How do we make sure the design is

functional for the application?

Engineers, architects, designers, ergonomists, managers, supervisorsand employees should be involved from the beginning.

Hold focus groups to best understand any issues the departments arehaving with their existing design.

Work simulation and workstation/equipment guidelines

Develop functional design guidelines that work for the differentapplications

Universal design Equitable use

Flexibility in use

Simple and intuitive use

Low physical effort Perceptible information

Tolerance for error

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