1. PA Training for Health & Safety
ERGONOMICS
Bureau of Workers Comp
PA Training for Health & Safety
(PATHS)
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2. What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to people. Ergonomics encompasses the body of knowledge about physical abilities and limitations, as well as other human characteristics, that are relevant to job design.
Ergonomic design is the application of this body of knowledge to the design of the workplace (work tasks, equipment, environment) for safe and efficient use by workers.
Good ergonomic design makes the most efficient use of worker capabilities while ensuring that job demands do not exceed those capabilities.
Section 350 of FY 99 Defense Authorization Act required a review of DAPS by the Department of Defense.
DoD delegated DLA to do the study which hired a firm called KPMG.
KPMG finished the study of DAPS in February 1999 and found, among other things, that All DAPS Functions were appropriate for transfer to other governmental or commercial entities.
Based on recommendations from DAPS and DLA, competitive sourcing was chosen using the A-76 process. However, other alternatives were being considered such as:
Privatization – using a Prime Vendor approach
A-76 Direct conversion to private sector for facilities with less than 10 people
Waive the A-76 process – issue a solicitation for commercial sources
A-76 was the best outcome – it was the only way DAPS employees would be given an opportunity to compete and keep their jobs.
Congress was notified in August of 1999 about the A-76 competition for 260 sites and 1400 employees.
Today, due to downsizing and a number of VERA/SIP offerings, there are currently 1368 employees in DAPS, 919 under the study – which is 67%
There are now 219 out of 259 facilities under study – which is 85% of total
This affects 41% of total DAPS business
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3. Ergonomic Hazard Identification
Do not ignore signs, symptoms and hazards!
Make recommendations for control of hazards to your supervisor.
Ergonomic Lifting Device
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4. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, are injuries or illnesses to soft body tissue such as:
Muscles
Nerves
Tendons
Ligaments
Joints
Cartilage
Spinal Discs
Inventory on hand
An Improved Customer Relationship
One dedicated customer-care representative
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5. Joints, Muscles, Tendons, etc.
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6. Musculoskeletal Disorders
MSDs do not include injuries caused by slips, trips, falls or other similar accidents.
MSDs can differ in severity from mild, periodic symptoms to severe, chronic and debilitating conditions.
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7. •Aching •Burning •Cramping •Loss of Color •Numbness
MSDs – Signs & Symptoms
•Aching
•Burning
•Cramping
•Loss of Color
•Numbness
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8. •Pain •Swelling •Stiffness •Tingling •Weakness MSDs – Signs & Symptoms
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9. MSDs-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Carpal Tunnel – a tunnel in the wrist through which the median nerve and nine digital flexor tendons pass.
Formed by the wrist bones and a dense trans-carpal ligament.
Continued and repetitive pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel can cause CTS.
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10. 1. Swelling or thickening of the carpal tendon starts.
MSDs-How CTS Develops
1. Swelling or thickening of the carpal tendon starts.
2. The tunnel begins to close.
3. This exerts pressure on the median nerve.
4. Feel pain/discomfort.
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11. MSDs-Prevention of CTS
If you do the same tasks with your hands over and over, try not to bend, extend or twist your hands for long periods.
Don’t work with your arms too close or too far from your body.
Don’t rest your wrists on hard surfaces for long periods.
Switch hands during work tasks, if possible.
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12. MSDs-Prevention of CTS
Take regular breaks from repeated hand movements to give your hands and wrists time to rest.
Don’t sit or stand in the same position all day.
Ensure your chair is adjusted so that your forearms are level with your keyboard and you don’t have to flex your wrists to type.
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13. MSDs-Common Causes of Back Injuries
• Heavy lifting from above the shoulders
• Heavy lifting from below the knees
• Twisting while lifting/carrying
• Bending over at the waist
• Carrying objects to one side
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14. MSDs-Protecting your Back
Lifting
Avoid bending at the waist.
Squat down with your back straight and knees bent.
Grasp the object.
Bring it close to your body.
Slowly rise.
Let your thigh muscles do the lifting.
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15. MSDs-Protecting your Back
Standing
Shift your weight slightly.
Use proper footwear with cushioned insoles.
Avoid high heels.
Proper posture when standing:
shoulders not rolled forward, stomach area is pulled in, small of the back is straight, hips not tilted
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16. Which one gives the best support if you do a lot of walking/standing?
Footwear
This pair for sure!
Which one gives the best support if you do a lot of walking/standing?
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17. MSDs-Protecting your Back
Any ergonomic issues?
Sitting
Use an adjustable chair with lower back support.
Keep knees in line with the hip joints or slightly lower.
Sit with the lower back firmly against the chair back support.
Shift elevation of the legs during prolonged sitting.
Avoid crossing your legs.
If prolonged sitting, back will hurt without support.
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18. MSDs-Protecting your Back
Lying down
Lie on your side with your knees slightly bent.
Use a pillow to elevate your head, keeping it in line with your back.
If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to relieve lower back stress and promote proper alignment.
Awkward position-could cause ergonomic issues if in the position for extended period
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19. Inflammation may be caused by joint damage or repetitive, heavy use.
MSDs-Joint Disorders
Joints include many structures, such as tendons, muscles, nerves and bones.
Inflammation may be caused by joint damage or repetitive, heavy use.
With inadequate repair, cartilage thinning may lead to osteoarthritis.
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20. MSDs-Joint Disorders
Repetitive or prolonged stair- or ladder-climbing, kneeling or squatting, standing, carrying heavy loads and jumping are work tasks that may be associated with lower-extremity joint loading.
Mechanical stresses associated with certain tasks can cause degenerative joint disease.
Degenerative joint disease can occur even after relatively low loads on joints if the forces are applied recklessly and repetitively.
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21. MSD Risk Factors- Awkward Postures
Two Types:
Static = nonmoving
Dynamic = body in motion
Stress increases if any weight is
added by tools or other objects.
Factors include:
▪ Time
▪ Repetition
▪ Body condition
▪ Health
▪ Range of motion
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22. MSD Risk Factors-Avoid:
• Bending wrists
• Twisting at the waist
• Rolling shoulders
• Leaning forward
• Bending at the waist
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23. MSD Risk Factors-Avoid:
• Winged elbows
• Overreaching
• Stepping backward
• Locking your knees
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24. Bulkiness of load or tool
MSD Risk Factors
Force & Exertion = Forceful exertions place higher loads on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.
Factors:
Weight of load or tool
Bulkiness of load or tool
Posture
Speed of movement
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25. MSD Risk Factors Lifting
Place heavier material above the knees and below shoulder height.
Use team lifting.
Use mechanical devices such as tool supports, platforms lifts, barrel lifts, air lifts and hoists.
Moving
Reduce required force by using carts, trolleys, pallet jacks, conveyors and tracked lifts.
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26. MSD Risk Factors Reduce Force and Exertion by Reducing:
Weight of the object
Weight of the container
Load in the container
Size of the container
Quantity per container
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27. MSD Risk Factors – Gripping
Weight
Slipperiness
Vibration
Grip type
Surface and grip area shape
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28. MSD Risk Factors – Pressure
Hazards = Damage to Nerves and Blood Vessels
• External Compression – sharp edges concentrate
forces on a small area of the anatomy resulting in
high, localized pressure.
• Internal Compression – nerves, vessels and other
soft tissues may be internally compressed under conditions of:
High-force exertions
Awkward postures
Static postures
High velocity or acceleration of movement
Swelling of injured tissue
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29. MSD Risk Factors – Pressure
Tools and Work Practice Hazards:
Tools with short handles (such as pliers and paint scrapers)
Leaning the side of the elbow on a hard surface
Carrying heavy loads on the shoulder
Long periods of kneeling
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30. Ergonomic Tools
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31. MSD Risk Factors – Cold Temperatures
• Cold environments compromise muscle efficiency.
Possible vascular and neurological damage.
Workers with cold-desensitized fingers may grasp loads with more force than necessary thereby exposing muscles, soft tissues and joints to increased force.
Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and some medication increases MSD risks from cold temperatures.
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32. MSD Risk Factors – Noise
Effects:
Increased muscle tension
Quicker onset of fatigue
Mental stress
Reduced concentration
Diverted attention
Slower recovery time
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33. MSD Risk Factors - Lighting
Hazards of too much or not enough light:
Awkward postures
Muscle fatigue
Eye strain
Mental fatigue
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34. Life Factors - Exercise
Proper exercise means:
• Improved health
• Stronger body
• Improved endurance
• Reduced stress
• Better range of motion
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35. Life Factors – Effects of Smoking
• Restricts blood vessels
Carbon monoxide in blood
Longer recovery from injury
Increased injuries from vibration
Increased injuries from cold
Poor general health
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36. Life Factors-Medication
Medication has the potential to increase the risk of MSDs if it:
Lowers or raises normal blood pressure
Changes sense of balance
Masks pain
Relaxes muscles
Affects blood circulation
Affects eyesight
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37. Ergonomic Controls-Engineering
Engineering controls include changing, modifying or redesigning of:
Workstations
Tools
Facilities
Equipment
Materials
Processes
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38. Ergonomic Controls-Engineering
Engineering controls:
Are the preferred method for controlling hazards
Make physical changes to tasks
Act on the source of the hazard
Control employee exposure
Do not require “self-protective” action
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39. Ergonomic Workstations
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40. Ergonomic Controls-Administrative
Administrative controls = procedures and methods that significantly reduce daily exposure to WMSD hazards by altering the way in which work is performed.
Examples:
Employee Rotation
Job task enlargement
Adjustment of work place
Redesign of work methods
Alternative tasks
Rest breaks
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41. Ergonomic Controls - Work Practice Controls
Are behavior-based controls that change the manner in which a job is performed
Procedures for safe and proper work that are understood and followed by managers, supervisors and employees
Examples of work practice controls for WMSD hazards include:
Safe work techniques and procedures
Conditioning period for new or reassigned employees
Training in the recognition of ergonomic hazards
Training in work techniques that reduce MSD hazard
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42. Sitting Posture
Use a straight chair with support for your lower spinal curve. You can use a small cushion or rolled up towel behind your back to maintain the proper curve .
Check the seat’s height.
Adjust your seat so that your knees are slightly lower than your hips.
If the seat’s height is not adjustable, use a footrest if necessary.
Keep your feet flat; avoid crossing your legs.
Keep your ankles and elbows at right angles.
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43. Sitting Posture
Sit close to your desk so you don’t have to bend forward.
If you do bend, bend from your hips.
Position your work or chair so you can look forward rather than down.
Use a document holder or move your computer screen so the top of it is at eye level.
Shift your position frequently to prevent strain.
Take a break or do stretching exercises
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44. Ergonomic Chair
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45. Prevent, Prevent, Prevent!
The bottom line: prevent accidents and injuries from occurring!
Ensuring your workstation is ergonomically designed is one method to prevent injuries.
All employees need to have a basic understanding of ergonomics and should report any ergonomic hazards to their supervisor immediately.
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46. Exercises – Knee Kiss
Pull one leg to your chest, grasp with both hands and hold for a count of five.
Repeat with the opposite leg.
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47. Exercises - Windmill Place your feet apart on the floor.
Bend over and touch your right hand to your left foot, with your left arm up.
Repeat with opposite arm.
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48. Exercises – Back Relaxer
Bend down between your knees for as long as you can.
Return to upright position, straighten and relax.
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49. Exercises – Pectoral Stretch
Grasp your hands behind your neck and press your elbows back as far as you can.
Return to starting position, then drop your arms and relax.
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50. Exercises – Middle/Upper Back Stretch
Raise your right arm and grasp it below the elbow with your left hand.
Gently pull your right elbow toward your left shoulder as you feel the stretch.
Hold for five seconds.
Repeat with left arm.
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51. Exercises – Side Stretch
Interlace your fingers and lift your arms over your head, keeping your elbows straight.
Press your arms backward as far as you can.
Slowly lean to the left and then to the right until you can feel the stretching.
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52. Exercises – Finger Stretch
With palms down, spread your fingers apart as far as you can.
Hold for the count of five.
Relax and then repeat.
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53. Exercises – Shoulder Roll
Slowly roll your shoulders forward five times in a circular motion using your full range of motion.
Then roll your shoulders backward five times with the same circular motion.
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54. Review
Repetitive motion tasks can lead to Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSDs).
Maintain correct posture while sitting/standing/walking.
Stretch to “limber up” muscles before and after work.
Take regular breaks.
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55. Review Exercise regularly.
Ensure your workstation is set up to be ergonomically correct.
Ensure lighting in your work area is adequate.
Report ergonomic hazards or symptoms to your supervisor.
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56. Questions
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