TM Glenn T. Semple, CSP, REM, CHMM EHS Associate Online Ergonomics Assessments for the Office

TM Today’s topics Baxter Round Lake organization The process we followed Web-based office ergonomics assessment Findings Key learnings

TM Baxter – Round Lake, IL R&D and Manufacturing (Medications Delivery Fluids) –7 buildings million sq. ft. –2500 employees, 75% with computers Goal was to reduce lost time and promote awareness 1998 web deployment

TM Where do I begin? Sell initial investment to management Identify a leader to head ergo efforts Understand how current process works –Where there are breakdowns –How it can be improved Develop a detailed written program Solicit for and train an ergonomics action team Communicate program to all affected groups

TM Identify the process prior to training Who receives ergonomic related complaints? Who performs the physical assessments? –How are they documented? How are recommendations followed through? –Assessments, P.O.s and Work Requests Who purchases ergonomic related items? –Stock items vs. supply items Who installs the equipment?

TM Write the program and train employees Define responsibilities –Directors/ managers/ supervisors/employees –EHS, ergo action team, nurses, HCP –Facilities management / info. tech. Select an action team –Encourage all groups involvement –Facilitators vs. coordinators –Conduct training Outline a specific procedure

TM Have employees complete the ergoTool ™ survey A comprehensive self-assessment addressing key computer workstation areas: –Furniture and equipment –Workstation features and layout –Lighting and work environment Accessed through a web browser Includes discomfort and computer use information

TM ergoTool ™ survey Employees answer a series of Yes/No questions

TM ergoTool ™ survey Employees can also complete a discomfort survey

TM ergoTool ™ survey Employees receive a summary of their responses

TM Facilitator’s toolbox Limited access area for configuration, password management, and report Key functions include: –Prioritize workstations based on level of concern –Identify common concerns –Link solutions to problems –Document follow-up plans and improvements Facilitates a management-driven ergonomics improvement process

TM Total Priority Index (TPI) Workstation score for ergonomic risk exposure based on: –ergoTool survey score –Discomfort survey –Hours of computer and phone use Calculates 3 levels of concern Identifies individuals experiencing discomfort who spend many hours at a poorly outfitted computer workstation

TM Total Priority Index (TPI) Easily identify highest priorities

TM ergoTool ™ survey Overall workstation score –Tells you the overall level of concern Scores for each of the seven sections –Identifies specific concerns –Linked to solutions The survey can be repeated periodically, tracking the results of improvements

TM ergoTool ™ survey Calculates a workstation score as well as section scores

TM ergoTool ™ survey Linked to typical solutions

TM ergoTool ™ survey Linked to action plans to document and track improvements

TM Identify heavy computer users Segment users by computer use exposure

TM Heavy computer users Combine computer use exposure with other task indicators

TM Total Priority Index ergoTool score Computer use exposure Discomfort survey

TM Average scores by division Average ergoTool scores vary from 7.7 to 13.7

TM Avg. scores by survey section Average section scores vary from 1 to 2.6

TM Avg. scores by survey section and department Several “outages” identified

TM Discomfort survey 54% report discomfort 29% have neck/upper back discomfort 28% report headaches & eyestrain

TM Discomfort by department Several “outages” identified

TM Key Learnings Identify personnel to respond to concerns –Use a team approach Have a written program outlining specific response and timeframes Standardize on stock items –Chairs –Keyboard supports Educate employees on control features and basic ergonomic principles