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Ergonomics Training Module

Ergonomics training covers how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through proper workplace design. Common risk factors for MSDs include repetitive motions, forceful exertions, vibrations, and awkward postures. The training recommends implementing an ergonomics program including job analysis, engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment. Examples provided are adjusting workstations, using ergonomic tools, following lifting techniques, and taking breaks to reduce MSD risks.

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Bhaskar Shukla
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174 views

Ergonomics Training Module

Ergonomics training covers how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through proper workplace design. Common risk factors for MSDs include repetitive motions, forceful exertions, vibrations, and awkward postures. The training recommends implementing an ergonomics program including job analysis, engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment. Examples provided are adjusting workstations, using ergonomic tools, following lifting techniques, and taking breaks to reduce MSD risks.

Uploaded by

Bhaskar Shukla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ERGONOMICS TRAINING

Environment Health & Safety


EHS Compliance Team

Sensitive & Confidential, Restricted distribution


1
Introduction

Ergonomics
“The scientific discipline concerned with
understanding of interactions among
humans and other elements of a system,
and the profession that applies theory,
principles, methods and data to design in
order to optimize human well-being and
overall system performance”

Sensitive & Confidential, Restricted distribution


Introduction
Ergonomics means
“fitting the job to the worker,”
including:
• Work stations
• Tools
• Equipment

Ergo = Work
Nomos = Law
Introduction
Why is ergonomics important?
• Overexertion leading cause of injuries
– Most costly
– Recurring/Persistent pain may develop in
future
• Bodily reaction is another leading cause
of injuries in workplace
• Repetitive motion also within top 10
most common workplace injuries
Common Work-Related MSDs
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels,
ligaments, and tendons
• Symptoms
− Discomfort − Burning
− Pain − Swelling
− Numbness − Tingling
− Loss of motion/flexibility − Inflammation
− Spasticity − Throbbing
− Stiff joints − Paralysis
Common Work-Related MSDs
• Common MSD disorders:
– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Rotator Cuff
– Tennis Elbow – Neuritis
– Bursitis – Reynaud’s Syndrome
– Ischemia – Trigger Finger
– De Quervain’s – Thoracic Outlet
– Sciatica Syndrome
– Herniated Discs – Epicondylitis
– Neck strain/disability – Back strain/disability
– Tendinitis
Common Work-Related MSDs
Most commonly
affected areas:
• Back
• Arms, Elbows,
and Shoulders
• Neck
• Hands, Wrists,
and Fingers
• Knees, Ankles,
and Feet This chart shows a distribution of injuries and illnesses to body parts due to MSDs using statistics from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, FY2014.
Risk Factors Associated with MSDs

Risk factors of MSD injuries:


• Dependent upon:
– Work positions and postures
– How often task is performed
– Level of required effort and duration of task
Risk Factors Associated with MSDs
• Examples of risk factors include:
– Exerting excessive force
• Lifting heavy objects/people
• Pushing or pulling heavy loads
• Manual pouring materials
• Maintaining control of equipment
or tools
– Performing same/similar tasks
repetitively
Source: OSHA
Risk Factors Associated with MSDs
– Working in awkward postures or
same postures for long periods
• Prolonged/repetitive reaching above
shoulder height
• Kneeling
• Squatting
• Leaning over a counter/bending
• Using a knife with wrists bent
• Twisting the torso while lifting
Source: OSHA

– Localized pressure into the body part


• Pressing the body/part of the body against
hard or sharp edges
• Using the hand as a hammer
Risk Factors Associated with MSDs
– Cold temperatures
(in combination with other risk factors)
– Vibration
• Whole body
• Hand-arm
– Combined exposure to
several risk factors
Ergonomic Control Methods
Methods of protecting against MSDs:
• Establish ergonomics program
– Training
– Feedback from all levels
• Conduct job hazard analysis (JHAs)
• Early recognition and reporting of
potential MSDs
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Examples of engineering controls
– Workstation design and setup
– Ergonomically designed tools
– Ergonomically designed equipment
– Load weight reduction
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Examples of proper work practices:
– Proper lifting techniques (NIOSH)
– Team lift heavy/bulky/awkward loads
– Stretch
– Work rotation
– Task variety
– Increase rest breaks
Ergonomic Control Methods

• Examples of PPE:
– Gripping gloves
– Knee pads
– Vibration gloves
– Thermal gloves
– Lifting straps
– Shoulder harness
– Lifting braces
Ergonomic Control Methods
Physical ergonomic hazards and solutions:
• Reaching above the head/shoulders - hazards
– Working with the hands above head for more than
2 hours per day

Source of graphics: OSHA


Ergonomic Control Methods
– Working with the elbows above
shoulders for more than 2 hours per day
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Reaching above the head/shoulders - solutions
– Keep items within close reach
– Elevate work areas
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Reaching above the head/shoulders - solutions
– Remove obstacles
– Utilize equipment to raise and
lower items or move items
closer to worker
Ergonomic Control Methods
– Squatting for more than 2 hours per day
Ergonomic Control Methods
– Kneeling for more than 2 hours per day
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Awkward body postures - solutions
– Raise and/or tilt the work for better access
– Use a stool for ground-level work
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Localized pressure on body part - hazards
– Pressing the body/part of the body against
hard or sharp edges
– Standing/kneeling for prolonged periods on
hard surfaces
– Using tools with hard handle surfaces or
short handles
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Localized pressure on body part - solutions
– Pad table edges or use tables/desktops with
rounded edges
– Use wrist rests, anti-fatigue mats,
knee pads, shoe inserts or other
items that reduce stress on body parts
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Lifting objects - hazards
– Lifting more than
• 75 lbs. once/day
• 55 lbs. ten times/day
• 10 lbs. more than twice/minute or
for more than 2 hours/day
• 25 lbs. above shoulders, below knees,
or at arms length more than
25 times/day
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Lifting objects - hazards
– Heavy, frequent, and awkward lifting
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Lifting - solutions
– Managing for safer lifting
• Plan lifts
• Minimize lifting distances
• Position materials to power zone levels
• Avoid manually lifting/lowering loads
to/from floor
• Identify/reduce unstable or heavy
loads
• Reduce frequency of lifting and
duration of lifting tasks
• Provide clear access
Ergonomic Control Methods
• Lifting - solutions
– Employee guidelines for safer lifting
• Stretch before lifting
• Check for tags on loads
• Test load for stability and weight
• Plan the lift
• Use proper lifting techniques –
grip; two hands; smooth, even motions;
load close to body; legs to push up and
lift load; avoid twisting; alternate with
less physically demanding tasks;
rest breaks
• Get assistance when necessary
Thank You

Sensitive & Confidential, Restricted distribution 29

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