Ergonomics and Safety

Responsibilities

Environmental Health & Safety Prospective Health

210 East Fourth Street Warren Life Sciences
328-6166 744-2070

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Industrial Hygiene & Safety Biological Safety
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Ergonomics

The way we interact with

our environment at work,
play and rest. Fitting the
way we work to the way
our body is built is the key.
Agenda

 What is ergonomics?

 What do I need to know about

musculoskeletal disorders?
 Adapting my work place.

 More information.
Ergonomics is…

 Adapting the tasks to fit you.

 Maximizing your health and comfort by
using your body in efficient ways.
 Self-evaluation of the behaviors and
postures you use at work and play.
 Learning to recognize the signs and
symptoms associated with an action that
may lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)

 Illness resulting from cumulative

trauma to the muscles, nerves,
tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage,
blood vessels or spine discs.
 An injury caused by an acute incident
e.g., a fall or auto accident, or
symptoms of a degenerative disease
are not considered a MSD and must
be treated differently.
Symptoms of a MSD
Subjective indicators of potential concern

 Painful Joints
 Pain, tingling or numbness in hands or feet
 Shooting or stabbing pains in arms or legs
 Swelling or inflammation
 Pain in wrists, shoulders, forearms, knees
 Fingers or toes turning white
 Back and neck pain
 Stiffness or burning sensations
MSD Signs

Objective indicators identified by a

physician to help diagnose specific
problems.

 Decreased range of motion

 Deformity
 Decreased grip strength
 Loss of muscle function
 Inability to physically perform normal tasks
Risk Factors associated with MSD

 Repetition

 Forceful Exertions

 Awkward Posture

 Contact Stress

 Vibration
Repetition

 Doing the same motions over and over

again places stress on the muscles and
tendons. The severity of risk depends
on how often the action is repeated, the
speed of the movement, the number of
muscles involved and the required
force.
 E.g., steady computer use for 4
hrs/day; a repeated cycle of motions 2
or more times per minute.
Force

 The amount of physical effort required to

perform a task or maintain control of
equipment or tools.
 Force depends upon type of grip, weight of
the object, body posture, type of activity, and
duration of task.
 E.g., Lifting 75 lbs one time or 55lbs more
than 10 times per shift or 25 lbs below the
knees or above shoulder height. Pinching 2
lbs or for 2 or more total hours per shift.
Awkward Posture
 Repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting,
bending, kneeling, squatting, working
overhead with your hands or arms, or holding
fixed positions.
 E.g., Working with hands over head, kneeling
or squatting for 2 hours/day; working with
back, neck or wrist bent for 2 hours/day.
 Potential fixes: portable stools, turn or move
the work, use frequent mini-breaks, integrate
the work with other tasks to avoid prolonged
use of the awkward posture.
Contact Stress

 Pressing the body (or body part)

against a hard or sharp edge can
result in placing too much pressure on
nerves, tendons and blood vessels.
 For example, using the palm of your
hand as a hammer regularly or typing
while resting your arms or wrists on
the hard desk edge.
Vibration

 Operating vibrating tools such as

sanders, grinders, chippers,
routers, drills, saws and yard
equipment on a regular basis can
lead to nerve damage.
 Potential fixes: vibration
dampening gloves, job rotation,
modified clutching mechanisms.
Personal Risk Factors

 Age  Hobbies
 Gender  Rest and recovery
 Previous injury time available
 Personal health  Short-term changes
in health.
 Physical condition
 Attitude towards
 Size and shape
making changes to
 Life style improve long term
 Life stress health
Neutral Standing Posture

 Pretend you have a

string tied to the top
of your skull.
Suspend your entire
body from that
string. Your back is
straight, your joints
loose, your shoulders
relaxed. This is a
neutral standing
posture.
Neutral Seated Posture
 A neutral seated posture
imitates the neutral
standing posture.
 The seated position puts
your hip and knee joints
at a 90o or slightly greater
angle. When in use, your
elbow joints should also
be at a 90o or slightly
greater angle. Wrist
joints should maintain as
straight a posture as
possible.
Fixing the Job

 Use neutral postures to perform tasks.

 Adjust the work station to remove the risk
factor. E.g., raise or lower the work surface, turn the
piece, etc.
 Rotate between jobs. E.g., break up long typing
sessions with some filing or copying, break up leaf
blowing with short raking sessions.
 Use mechanical assistance. E.g., use a lift to move
heavy parts, use a two wheeled truck to move multiple
boxes or one heavy box.
 Get help. E.g., use a buddy to help in heavy lifting
tasks.
Fixing the Job (continued)

 Use personal protective equipment. E.g., anti-

vibration gloves when using vibrating hand or yard
tools.
 Observe micro-breaks. E.g., take a stretch break
every hour you spend in continuous typing, writing or
telephone use.
 Share your ideas. If you find something that
works let your supervisor, co-workers and EH&S
know so others may benefit.
 Use the self-help tools available on the web
at http://www.ecu.edu/oehs
Computer Workstation
Comfortable does NOT mean
Healthful

 Neutral posture
should be the guide
for determining an
appropriate fix.
 Comfort can be
misleading…
Crossed legs may seem
comfortable but restrict
blood flow
A slouch is definitely
not a healthful posture
We often equate habit
with comfort.
If you have symptoms…

 Report symptoms, discomforts or problems

to your supervisor as soon as noticed.
 Work together to try to identify the source of
the discomfort and creative solutions.
 If the discomfort lasts more than 7 days and
you have not located the probable source or
a way to correct the problem, report your
discomfort to EH&S for a worksite
evaluation.
How to report a discomfort or a job
that needs evaluated.

 Email  Tell us…

 About your job.
[email protected]  Where you are
du located.
 Call EH&S at  What is
uncomfortable.
328-6166  How long the
 Stop by our office discomfort has
existed.
at 210 E. 4th St  What you have
already tried.
 Are you the only one
doing this job?
Additional Information

 http:www.ecu.edu/oehs

 Ergonomics self help

checklist and training
program on the web.

 [email protected]
EH&S Web Page
EH&S Policy Statement

 Protect and promote the health and safety of

students, employees, patients, visitors, and the
environment
 Primary responsibility rests with the Chancellor and,
by delegated authority, to the Vice Chancellor for
Administration and Finance
 Operational component delegated to the Directors of
EH&S and Prospective Health
 The ultimate success of the safety and environmental
programs depends upon the conscientious and
cooperative efforts of all
 Expectation that every employee actively promote
and support the safety and environmental program
Employer Responsibilities

 Employer must comply with OSHA

and other safety and health standards
 “General duty” to provide workplace
free of recognized hazards likely to
cause injury
 University subject to inspection by
OSHA, EPA and other regulatory
agencies
Employee Rights and
Responsibilities

 Comply with applicable rules,

regulations and policies
 Participate in training

 Notify supervisor of accidents

(including near misses), spills,
damaged equipment, safety
deficiencies, prescription drug use or
other conditions that may affect
alertness or ability, etc.
Employee Rights and
Responsibilities

 Employee has basic right to make a

complaint regarding unsafe or unhealthy
workplace conditions
 Address complaint in-house by notifying
supervisor and/or EH&S at 328-6166
 Contact NCDOL if issue cannot be resolved
in-house (1-800-LABOR-NC)
 Employer cannot retaliate against an
employee for making a complaint
 Employee confidentiality
Required Training for
All University Personnel

 Hazard Communication

 Ergonomics

 Accident Reporting Procedures

 Emergency Action Plans

Required Training for Clinical
and Lab Personnel

 Hazard Communication, Ergonomics,

Accident Reporting Procedures and
Emergency Action Plans
 Lab Safety
 Bloodborne Pathogens
 Radiation Safety
 Other Toxic and Hazardous
Substances
Required Training for Facilities
Services Personnel

 Hazard Communication, Ergonomics, Accident

Reporting Procedures and Emergency Action Plans
 Asbestos Awareness
 Electrical Safety
 Excavations
 PPE, Respiratory Protection, Hearing Protection, Fall
Protection
 Lockout/Tagout
 Power Tools, Woodworking Machinery, Platforms,
Forklifts, Scaffolding, Ladders and other equipment
 Confined Spaces
 Hazwoper
 EH&S Monthly and Quarterly Training Opportunities
 Safety and Environmental
Compliance at ECU

QUESTIONS?

Environmental Health & Safety Prospective Health

210 East Fourth Street Warren Life Sciences
328-6166 744-2070
[email protected]