1. Ergonomics Brought to you by: OESD 114
Colleen Kragen - Safety & Health Specialist
Last Revised: September2017

2. What is Ergonomics?
Miriam-Webster Definition: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely - called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors.

3. Fitting the job to the worker to prevent repetitive injuries.
Simplified
Fitting the job to the worker to prevent repetitive injuries.

4. What Does Ergonomics Mean for You?
Poor Ergonomics can lead to Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs
Carpal tunnel syndrome (wrists)
Tendinitis (joints)
Rotator cuff injuries (shoulder)
Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Trigger finger (index finger)
General muscle strains and low back injuries

5. What Can Cause MSDs? Years of hard labor Poor Posture
Lack of stretching
Excess weight
Bad lifting techniques
Overreaching
Lack of regular activity or exercise

6. How Do MSDs Affect Us?
Information provided by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. value/societal-and-economic- impact-and-value-of- orthopaedics/

7. How Does Ergonomics Relate to MSDs?
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) emphasizes “Implementing an ergonomic process is effective in reducing the risk of developing MSD’s in high-risk industries as diverse as construction, food processing, firefighting, office jobs, healthcare, transportation, and warehousing.”
From:

8. Myth: Work Hurts

9. A Few Tips for Preventing MSDs
Review of good posture
Stretching Exercises
Increasing blood flow
Ergonomics workplace assessment
The right tools for the job
Proper lifting techniques

10. Standing Posture

11. Proper Posture & Body Alignment

12. Why Stretch? Increases blood flow, which helps prevent injuries
Reduces fatigue
Improves muscular balance and posture
Improves muscle coordination

13. Stretching At Work
Stretching a few times during the work day can keep joints from cramping up and helps prevent MSDs.

14. Larger Stretches
Stretching larger muscles is recommended when sitting for a long period of time, before manual labor, and before heavy lifting. These stretches help prevent immediate injuries and MSDs over time.

15. Workplace Ergonomic Assessment
Conduct an Ergonomic Analysis - identify the potential/actual repetitive injury risks associated with the job
Create an Opportunity List - prioritize the risks and develop solutions based on available materials and cost evaluations.
Implement Improvements - use the opportunity list to put in place the ergonomic changes.
Review - go back and perform a reassessment to ensure the changes are effective.

16. Thank you!