1. Jane M. Whalen Price, PT, DPT Health, Wellness and Ergonomics Manager Hunter Douglas Window Fashions

2.  A process, not a program  Defined profession that has developed over the last +75 years  Follows concepts of continuous improvement  Cyclical process—find the issue, fix the issue, and check back  Small projects and changes are significant.

3.  Management support at the C-suite  Measures  Integrated approach  Assessments  Leadership must prioritize ergonomics  Defining specific measures assures completion  Accountability and ownership at all levels  Proactively assess activities and postures

4.  Force  Posture  Frequency (repetition)

5.  Vibration  Temperatures  Soft tissue compression  Impact stress  Glove issues

6.  Best opportunity for ergonomic intervention is at the beginning—  People are the source of productivity for a company; design for employee performance and well-being in the job tasks.  Focus on the cognitive, physiological, and biomechanical capacities of the person; this will lead to optimal productivity and minimum error  When asked to work outside of their capacity, people will work unreliably and may eventually break down.  Design for what people do well and against what people do not do well. Source: HumanTech, Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008

7.  Engineers  Safety team  Health and Wellness professionals  Ergonomic professionals  Business Managers  Employees who perform the tasks

8.  Work related musculoskeletal disorders  Account for over 30% of lost-workday injuries and illnesses  Account for more than $20 billion in workers compensation costs in the United States  Account for $1 out of every $3 spent for workers compensation costs Source: HumanTech Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008.

9.  Aging and Obese Employees  The standard for ergonomic design is getting larger and older  Currently obesity exceeds 30% in all gender and age groups in the United States  33 states with a prevalence of >25% of the population  9 states with >30% prevalence

14. Non-Occupational Risk Factors Previous injuries and illnesses Age Weight Height Environment  What changes:  Visual acuity decreases with aging  Grasping and reaching movements decrease  Movement precision decreases  Strength decreases with age  8% reduction between ages of 51-60 years and 34% reduction in force ability at 61-70 years

15. Non-Occupational Risk Factors Previous injuries and illnesses Age Weight Height Environment  What changes:  Among the population ages 51 to 70 years of age, 75% are overweight or obese  Weight gain is associated with increased time in sedentary activities  Fat accelerates aging—adds and additional 9 years to your age (physiological age)  Excess weight increases oxygen requirements  Body changes impact ability to perform efficient reaching forward and overhead

16. Non-Occupational Risk Factors Previous injuries and Illnesses Age Weight Height Environment  Health impact:  Diabetes  Cardiovascular disorders due to poor fitness level  Pulmonary disorders  Arthritis  Cancers

17. STANDING WORK HEIGHTS HORIZONTAL REACHING GUIDELINES

18.  The Golden Rule  Place objects between knee and shoulder height  Design so that the tallest male fits and the shortest female can reach

19. AGING WORKER OBESE WORKER  Increase font size and illumination to improve visual acuity  Minimize glare  Choose in line tools, pistol grip power tools, and right angle tools for joint protection  Avoid stall or direct drive tools, use pulse system and mechanical clutch mechanisms  Stay in the comfort zone— avoid forward bending  Ergonomic design to provide appropriate equipment for body weight –chairs, keyboards, shoes, and PPE size variety  Encourage health and wellness  Avoid one size fits all or most theory—design for workstation adjustments

21.  Hierarchy of Controls  Engineering controls: the preferred method for reducing or eliminating risk factors.  Administrative controls: changes to task responsibilities that reduce exposure to risk factors.  Work practices: changes to procedures and work methods that reduce exposure to risk factors. Source: Humantech Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008

22.  Fitness matters, physically active adults are able to continue recreational and work activities with fewer injuries and will have less disability when injuries do occur  “If exercise were a pill, it would be the most prescribed drug in the world.” -Butler  Exercise preserves muscle mass –strength and endurance allow for ongoing safe functional independence.

24.  Ergonomics is the science of supporting human efficiency and productivity  Ergonomics will promote safe work practices and support injury prevention  Ergonomics needs to transition to a leading indicator in the business and move away from loss indicators driving change  Ergonomics takes a committed team and involves process improvement.

25. Did all my employees go home today without pain and able to enjoy their personal time? AND, say YES!!!

26. References: HumanTech Applied Industrial Ergonomics, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends Ergonomics: 5 Essentials Necessary for Success, Scott Ege, Ege Work Smart Solutions, PC, September 2014. Wroblewski, et al Chronic Exercise Preserves Lean Muscle Mass in Masters Athletes, The Physician and Sports Medicine, Vol 39, No 3, 2011.