ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS...

The term “ergonomics” is derived from two

Greek words: “ergon”, meaning work and

“nomoi”, meaning natural laws.

Ergonomists study human capabilities in

relationship to work demands.

Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and

workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to

prevent repetitive strain Injuries, which can develop over time and can

lead to long-term disability.

POSTURE..

All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if

we could adhere to the following ergonomic principles:

All work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe postures

Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available.

Work activities should be performed with the joints at about mid-point of their range of movement. This applies particularly to the head, trunk, and upper limbs.

THE PROBLEM...

Here, however, we arrive at a serious problem - and a challenge to conventional ergonomic thinking: In order to put these recommendations into practice, a person would have to be a skilled observer of his or her own joint and muscle functioning and would have to be able to change his or her posture to a healthier one at will. No one develops this sort of highly refined sensory awareness without special training. Therefore, in order to derive the benefits of ergonomic research, we must learn how to observe our bodies in a new way.* Any attempt to improve workplace conditions can have only limited success if this issue is ignored.

One of the most common

work-related hazards of concern to

ergonomists is

back pain.

BIGGEST

MISCONCEPTION…THE

BACKBELT

WHY????????

AT BEST THEY STIMULATE YOU TO

THINK ABOUT BACK CARE

THEY PROVIDE NO BACK SUPPORT

BEST USE IS FOR KEEPING YOUR MID-

SECTION WARM

THEY DO NOT KEEP YOUR BACK

STRAIGHT…….

10 TO 1 RATIO….

BACK INSTITUTE.. ASHLAND, KY.

$56 BILLION………..

ASSOCIATED IN BACK PAIN

LAST YEAR ALONE…

RELATED TO: LOSS WORK

TIME, W.C., DAMAGE COSTS,

MEDICAL BILLS

EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING FOR

THIS….

CELL PHONE ELBOW

LAPTOPS/DESK TOPS:

ERGONOMIC ADVICE They are not very ergonomic – it’s not usually possible to

use them in a good posture and they can cause you problems. You need to try to prevent: neck or eye problems from trying to see the screen at an awkward angle.

Wrist and hand problems from bending your wrists to use the keyboard, or from overusing the other input devices (mouse, rollerball, pad, etc)

Shoulder or back problems from carrying the laptop, or from reaching too far to use it, or from using it extensively in an unusual posture such as slouching, bending over or lying down.

Over-heating of the groin due to supporting the hot laptop on your lap (despite its name!)

Working on a Laptop/Desktop

Find a posture in which you can keep your wrists straight (neutral, in line with your forearms), your shoulders relaxed and your back supported, and in which you feel comfortable.

Align the laptop centrally with your body – don’t twist around to use it.

Take frequent breaks from working on the laptop, and get up to stretch and walk around at least once an hour and more frequently if possible.

Change your posture often, whenever it becomes even slightly uncomfortable; don’t stay in one position for more than 15 minutes or so.

Rest your eyes frequently by looking at something far away or by closing them for a minute or two.

Remember to blink more to prevent your eyes feeling dry.

Take whatever software training you can because the more skilled you are with the programs you use, the less time you will need to spend on the laptop.

Make sure your battery lasts so

you don’t end up having to work

like this!

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s)

There are several approaches that may be used

to determine whether conditions in the

workplace might be contributing to employees

developing MSD’s. These approaches can be

used individually or in combination.

Both work-related and non-work related

conditions can either individually, or by

interacting with each other, give rise to

musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s).

Ergonomics Contributing Conditions

How do I look for conditions that may

contribute to musculoskeletal disorders?

Review and analyze injury and illness

records to determine whether there is a

pattern of ergonomic-related injuries in

certain jobs or work tasks.

OSHA 300 Logs and supporting 301 forms

Workers' Compensation claims

Ergonomics in the workplace

...has to do largely with the safety of employees,

both long and short-term. Ergonomics can help

reduce costs by improving safety. This would

decrease the money paid out in workers’

compensation claims. For example, over five

million workers sustain overextension injuries

per year. Through ergonomics, workplaces can

be designed so that workers do not have to

overextend themselves and the manufacturing

industry could save billions in workers’

compensation claims.

Hazard Prevention and Control

• Eliminate, reduce, or control the presence of risk factors

– Engineering controls

– Administrative controls

– PPE

•DoD doesn’t recognize back belts as or wrist splints as PPE… they are considered medical appliances

Engineering Controls • Engineering controls or techniques are the

preferred mechanism for controlling ergonomic hazards

• This may entail redesigning the work station, work methods, and tools to reduce the demands of the job, such as exertion, repetition, and awkward positions

Administrative Controls

• Controls

• Rotating personnel to jobs with dissimilar physical requirements

• Establishing work/rest schedules

• Training personnel to use appropriate work methods when engineering controls are not feasible

Training

• Training should enable each person to recognize risk factors and understand procedures used to minimize the risks

• Refresher training should be provided annually and retraining should be done when personnel are assigned to a new job with different risks, or new risks are discovered

Back Injury Training

• Anatomy and physiology to explain how the back works

• Biomechanics of lifting

• Weight control • How to avoid back

injuries • Physical fitness

Other methods to reduce the potential of back injury.

Standing Posture

• Keep your spinal column aligned in its natural curves

• Prop one foot up on a stool to reduce stress in your lower back

Shift and Stretch

• Shift your posture often

• Stretch frequently throughout the day

• Keep your body flexible (not rigid or fixed)

• Don’t force your body to conform to its workspace

Push not Pull

•Can you slide it instead of lifting it ?

Use Lifting Devices

• Use proper equipment

– Hand trucks

– Forklifts

– Dollies

– Use gloves if needed

Stretch and be Ready

• Have you stretched your muscles or warmed up before lifting

• Are you wearing slip resistant shoes

• Have you cleared a pathway before you move the item

Lift With Your Legs

• Plant your feet firmly - get a stable base

• Bend at your knees - not your waist

• Tighten your abdominal muscles to

support your spine

• Get a good grip - use both hands

• Keep the load close to your body

• Use your leg muscles as you lift

• Keep your back upright, keep it in its natural posture

• Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking