Ergonomics

OSHA Compliance for Temp Agencies and Host Employers

What is Ergonomics?

“Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with the design of workplaces, tools, and tasks that match the physiological, anatomical, and psychological characteristics and capabilities of the worker.” Vern Putz-Anderson

“The Goal of ergonomics is to ‘fit the job to the person,’ rather than making the person fit the job.” Ergotech

“If it hurts when you are doing something, don’t do it.” Bill Black

Why do we care about Ergonomics?

Ergonomic Injuries - WMSDs

Contact with Objects/Equipment

17%

Falls to Lower Level7%

Falls to Same Level17%

Slips and Trips5%

Overexertion30%

Repetitive Motion2%

Exposure to Harmful Substances

0%

Transporation4%

Fires and Explosions0%

Assaults 4%

All Other14%

2010 Days Away Injuries by Event/Exposure

Overexertion Back – 52%

Shoulders – 18%

Abdomen – 7%

Arms – 5%

Legs – 5%

Repetitive Motion Wrists – 43% Shoulders – 13% Back – 11% Arms – 9% Hands – 5% Fingers – 5%

Ergonomic Injuries – Body Impacts

Costs of Ergonomic Injuries

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000

MSDs of the Back

Upper ExtremityMSDs

Average Claim

Average Costs per Claim ($)

Source: Workers’ Compensation data from Insurance Companies 1993

The Bottom Line on Ergonomic Injuries

Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (2012) #1 Cost Driver = Overexertion Injuries $13.6 Billion in Direct Costs to Employers 27% of all Injury Costs

Resource: www.libertymutual.com/researchinstitute

• OSHA can and will cite ergonomic hazards under the “5(a)(1)” General Duty Clause, if:• An ergonomic hazard exists,

• The hazard is recognized,

• The hazard is causing, or likely to cause, a serious injury,

• And if a feasible means exists to reduce the hazard

OSHA and Ergonomics

Benefits of Good Ergonomics

• Increased productivity

• Decreased mistakes/rework

• Increased efficiency

• Decreased injury risk

• Decreased lost work days

• Decreased turnover

• Improved morale

WMSD Risk Factors

Common WMSD Risk Factors

• Force

• Posture

• Frequency

• Duration

• Vibration

• Environment

• Personal Factors

Risk Factors for Injuries

o Forceful Exertionso Weight of load

o Location

o Frequency

o Stability

o Coupling

o Awkward Postureso Bending

o Twisting

o Reaching

Risk Factors for Injuries

o Repetitive Motiono Frequent reaching

o Assembly tasks

o Keying

o Packaging

o Vibrationo Tools

o Mechanized Equipment

Risk Factors for Injuries

o Environmentalo Visual

o 150 Lux in MMH

o Thermalo Increased accidents

away from comfort zoneo Hot: Added metabolic

heat gaino Cold: Decreased blood

flow to extremities

Risk Factors for Injuries

o Environmental, cont.o Worker/Floor Surface Coupling

o Maintain static coefficient of friction of 0.4, preferably 0.5o ANSI A1264.2-2001: Standard for the Provision of Slip Resistance on

Walking/Working Surfaces

o Floor Conditions/Housekeepingo Shoe styleo Floor angleo Surface coatings

Risk Factors for Injuries

o Personal Risk Factorso Gendero Ageo Anthropometryo Lift Techniqueo Attitudeo Strengtho Training

Ergonomics Assessment Tools

Tier I Tools: Tier II ToolsChecklists: Quantitative:Quick Exposure Checklist Job Safety AnalysisWashington State Checklists NIOSH Work Practice Guide to Manual LiftingNIOSH Checklists (97-117) Stover Snook’s Psychophysical Tables for

Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)Job Strain IndexOccupational Repetitive Action Methods

Awkward Postures - Low work

Bending

KneelingSquatting

These postures are hard on the back and the knees

WISHA Ergonomics Checklist

WISHA Ergonomics Checklist

WISHA Ergonomics Checklist

WISHA Ergonomics Checklist

Elimination

Substitution

Engineering Control

Policies

PPE

Implementing Ergonomic Controls

Effec

tiven

ess

8 Deadly Wastes

Tools, Equipment, Processes

Workstation Design, Mech. Assist

Job Rotation, Rest Breaks, Safe Practices

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Reducing low work

• Raise and/or tilt the work for better access

• Use a stool for ground level work

• Use tools with longer handles

• Alternate between bending, kneeling, sitting, and squatting

Ergonomics at Work Reducing low work

Raise and tilt the work

Ergonomics at Work Reducing low work

Raise the work

Ergonomics at Work Reducing low work

Meter reader – golf club handle extension

Awkward Postures High work

This posture is hard on the shoulders, neck and back

Reducing high work

• Use an elevated work platform or rolling stairs

• Use tools with longer handles

• Limit overhead storage to infrequently used items

• Bring the work down and tilt for easier access

Use a tool with longer handles

Ergonomics at Work Reducing high work

WISHA Ergonomics Checklist

Hands and Wrists:• Pinch Grip

• Grasp Grip

• Repetitive Motion of Hands

• Keying

• Hand Impacts

• Hand and Arm Vibrations

Neck and Shoulders• Neck Posture

What are some of the symptoms of WMSDs?

Report symptoms if:

• Pain is persistent, severe or worsening

• Pain radiates

• Symptoms include numbness or tingling

• Symptoms keep you from sleeping at night

• Discomfort • Burning• Pain • Swelling• Numbness • Change in color• Tingling • Tightness, loss of flexibility

Why is it important to encourage reporting of symptoms?

• Minor injuries can easily become chronic injuries• Injured workers, absenteeism, turnover, insurance

costs

• Can lead to surgery and disability

• Early treatment is more successful

Ergonomics and Temporary Workers

1. Ergonomics Awareness Training2. Risk Assessment3. Solution Development and

Implementationa. Engineering Controlsb. Job rotation, rest breaks, safe

practices4. On-the-job training5. Hazard or near-miss reporting6. Injury reporting and recordkeeping