1 Ergonomics for Fire and EMS Departments Command Staff Ergonomics University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center This material has been made possible by a grant from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, Department of Consumer and Business Services

2 Today’s Workshop Cumulative Trauma Risk factors for musculoskeletal injury Elements of an ergonomics program Will provide information on: Information resources for developing an ergonomics program in your department

3 Fire and EMS Work Requires workers to: Always be prepared Respond quickly Think and react quickly Not always be in control of schedule Work in hazardous situations Physically & Emotionally Demanding

4 Cost of Injury 31.4 % of firefighter injuries due to overexertion Overexertion is due to pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, wielding or throwing objects Per claim, average workers’ compensation cost of ALL injuries to firefighters = $5168 Per claim, workers’ compensation average cost for overexertion = $9715 Of this $9715, only $3458 was for direct medical costs

5 Avoidable Injuries Acute injuries Happen immediately Can become chronic Re-injury possible Chronic injuries Pain or symptoms lasting more than a month Cumulative trauma Happens over time

6 Cumulative Trauma Cycle irritation to tissue microtrauma (small tears) produces scar tissue Keeps repeating as long as activity continues Activity results in:  flexibility  strength  function adhesions form adhesions coalesce

7 Repetitive Motions Same posture or motions again and again  Repetitive motion can be very frequent over short period of time  Cumulative trauma can be less frequent but repeated over time time injury time injury

8 Fatigue Discomfort Pain Injury Disability Break the Injury Cycle re-injury may be likely

9 Disc Herniations Disc damage is frequently the result of cumulative, repetitive trauma as well as overexertion Outer disc fibers repeatedly tear and heal as a result of repetitive overloading The disc weakens overtime (years) leading to herniation of the nucleus, causing back and leg pain, and numbness

10 What is Ergonomics? The goal of ergonomics is to design the job to fit the worker, NOT fit the worker to the job. EnvironmentTask/job Worker

11 Musculoskeletal Risk Factors Risk magnitude is increased by time, intensity, or combining factors Excessive force/weight (pulling, pushing or lifting) Awkward postures Prolonged postures Repetition Temperature extremes

12 Injury Prevention Program SAFETYERGONOMICSHEALTH ERGONOMICS TEAM labor & management TRAINING MEDICAL MANAGEMENT risk factors identified HAZARD PREVENTION & CONTROL JOB ANALYSIS REVIEW

13 Ergonomics Program Elements 1)Assessment of musculoskeletal hazards 2)Prevention and control of musculoskeletal hazards 3)Training 4)A medical management system 5)Procedures for reporting injuries 6)A plan for the implementation of the program 7)Methods for evaluating the program

14 1) Assessment of Hazards A hazard analysis breaks a job down into elements which can be described and measured It allows the inherent risk to be quantified It identifies the conditions within a job that contribute to risk It is performed by person with ergonomics training –Safety committee members –Line personnel

15 When to do a Hazard Assessment Identify jobs where: –Work-related injuries have occurred previously –Frequent severe or non-severe injuries occur –Past injuries result in work restrictions –Workers leave because of inability to perform the physical requirements of job –Sustainable quality performance difficult –Worker complaints of unresolving pain or fatigue

16 Prevention and Control Set short term and long term goals Think outside the box – come up with many potential solutions Decide on the optimal solution by considering Barriers Costs Amount of risk reduced Line personnel think of great solutions!

17 Ergonomic Solutions Effectiveness Personal control Bodymechanics Personal protective equipment Job organization Equipment or Engineering

18 3) Ergonomics Training Part of an ergonomics program is to provide training to fire and EMS personnel Ergonomics training curriculum is free from Oregon OSHA. Modules include: –“Introduction to Ergonomics and Cumulative Trauma” –“Job Hazard Analysis” –“Developing and Implementing Ergonomic Solutions” –“Bodymechanics & Back Health”

19 4) Medical Management System –Regular medical exams –Regular physical conditioning –Periodic fitness/wellness evaluations –Education/training Preventive Measures: Reactive Measures: –Early recognition and treatment –Access to medical and rehabilitative care –Alterative work –Workers’ compensation

20 5) Injury Reporting System Define what constitutes a ‘reportable injury’ –Not reporting may lead to more serious injuries –Minor injury logs –Mechanism to report injuries Identify lines of responsibility worker safety committee employer medical provider

21 Reporting Injuries Train personnel –Ergonomics –Record keeping Record keeping –Clearly identify injury cause –Differentiate between acute and repetitive Follow-up –Feedback into the ergonomics program –Identify and address hazard

22 Gaining Support Part of existing safety and health program Management commitment Worker involvement Union involvement Awareness and education 6) Implementing Your Program

23 Support from department, local government, community and line personnel essential Launch kick-off meeting by chief to explain program Establish ergonomics committee Establish lines of communication & responsibility Commit resources – time and money Commitment & Involvement

24 Ergonomics Committee Set short-term and long-term goals Identify useful tools and resources Develop ergonomic awareness Identify & modify high risk activities via –Risk assessments –Surveys –Injury-records Make necessary changes to work environment

25 7) Evaluating Your Program How do you know what is working? Statistics –Health –Program –General Cost / Benefit Analysis

26 Statistics Health : reduction in injury rate, severity costs (overhead, medical, worker’s comp) time loss Program: numbers of hazards identified solutions proposed solutions approved solutions implemented General: having appropriate equipment improved work environment improved work practices boosted morale healthier relations

27 Cost/Benefit Analysis Pre-program injury costs Implementing the program Injury costs with program

28 Ergonomic Resources FEMA: Fire and EMS Ergonomics search for “ergonomics” on National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Elements of Ergonomics Programs & Guide to Evaluating the Effectiveness of Strategies for Preventing Work Injuries Oregon OSHA Federal OSHA

29 Conclusions Cumulative trauma occurs over time Applying ergonomics = injury prevention = $$ saved An ergonomics program is a comprehensive approach at applying ergonomics Command staff are integral to a successful ergonomics program

30 Questions and Evaluation Thank you for your attention ? ? ? ?