ninguna

1. Ergonomics
John Newquist
Draft 12 18 2015

2. Dec 2015
 I need to take the time to thank John for everything he has done for
my family and myself.
 He may not see it as helping my family but when you save my
knees, tendons, muscles etc from the daily wear of cleaning homes
for hours on end it gives them a mother and wife who can function
better.
 I've been in a home scrubbing for over 2 hours now and my forearm
hasn't given in to the repetitive motion.
 No pain in my hands, forearm, or elbow, and my knees are happy as
well.
 I am so super grateful for your knowledge and expertise in job
safety.
 My body will get a 2 day break and then back at it.
 Thank you for everything!

3. January 2015
Bayer using sit
stand desks

4. March 2015
Uplift desk with adjustable keyboard
and monitor

5. Dec 2013

6. ASSE 2010
Work Comp from PA Insurance
~4000 companies studied
200 Companies had 210 single losses
over $250,000
21% were same surface falls (ice,
slipping)
17% were ergo from non routine lifting

7. Carpal Tunnel
 500,000 surgeries a
year (NYT)
 $29,000 average
cost including rehab
 Loss of some wrist
strength is a
complication that
affects 10% to a third
of patients.

8. Ergonomics
 Demands of the task match the
functional capacity of the worker

9. Definitions
 Work-related:
– an event or exposure
in the work
environment that
either caused or
contributed to the
resulting condition.
– Produces
characteristic
symptoms or injury

10. Strategy for Success:
Goals:
o Decrease ergonomic hazards
o Reduce injuries and illnesses
o Ensure flexibility and encourage innovation
o Help prevent MSDs

11. Work Risk Factors
 Forceful exertions
 Repetitive
movements
 Over shoulder work
 Heavy lifting

12. Work Risk Factors

13. Effective Ergonomics Programs
 Injury & illness
record keeping
 Medical
management
 Training
 Job/Task hazard
analysis
 Ergonomic control
selection and
evaluation

14. Selecting the Employee
 The abdominal
muscles support the
lower back.
 People with weak
abdominal muscles
tend to suffer from
back pain.

15. Strength Testing
 An objective way to
ensure that only
people with
sufficient strength
to perform a job will
indeed be assigned
that job.
 Not fool proof.
 Define task.
 $150 is typical

16. Injury and Illness Recordkeeping
 Is it accurate?
 Is it useful?
 How is it used?
 By department
 By body part

17. Trend Example Using DART Rates
 Warehouse
operators
 2000 = 17.6
 2001 = 21.5
 2002 = 35.1
 2003 = 32.9
 W.O. Upper
Extremity Injuries
 2000 = 4.7
 2001 = 6.3
 2002 = 7.0
 2003 = 8.2

18. What is the Ergo Stressor Here?
Driver facing forward
for driving
Driver is supposed to
drive backwards

19. Trend Example Using DART Rate
 Facility
 2001 7.4
 2002 38.8
 2003 35.6
 Warehouse
Operator Injuries
 2001 = 21.5
 2002 = 38.6
 2003 = 54.7

20. What is the Ergo Stressor Here?

21. Medical Management
 Recognize symptoms
 Early reporting system
to report signs and
systems of ergo injuries
 Physician used that is
familiar with your
company’s jobs/tasks
 Provide job
accommodation

22. Medical Treatment
 Doctors and other health care
providers cannot always
pinpoint the exact cause of a
patients' back pain.
 Employee capabilities –
work/no work
 Employee restrictions – weight
to be lifted
 Follow-up
 Information to provider
 Information to employee

23. Back Facts
 People who cope best with back pain are
those that stay active.
 Aging of the back begins before 30 for
most people.
 Smokers are more likely to get back pain.
 People with previous back pain are likely
to get it again within a couple of years.
 The longer you stay off work due to a
back injury, the less likely you are to
return to work.
 Even if your aches and pains last for a
long time, it doesn't mean you have a
serious injury. Back pain settles
eventually, but we can't predict exactly
when.
 Back pain usually subsides without any
medical treatment in four to six weeks.
 NIOSH could not establish that back belts
work to eliminate ergonomic back
injuries.

24. Education and Training
 Who receives it?
 How do they use it?
 Are they expected to use it?

25. Controls
Engineering
Work practice
Administrative
Any combination
of the above
40 boxes loaded per
minute onto conveyor

26. Analysis
Step-by-Step Procedure
 Observe the job
 Interview the person performing the job
 Break the job into various actions
 Describe the actions
 Measure and quantify risk factors
 Identify conditions contributing to the risk
factors
 Verify the analysis of the job with the worker

27. Sample Analysis
 The following is an checklist to aid in an ergonomic hazard analysis of a specific job or workstation. It is
designed to used as a supplement to close visual observation or videotaping of the job/workstation.
Person performing analysis: John Newquist Date: December 13, 2005
Job location: Warehouse
Job name: Warehouse Worker
Job description: Load on/off conveyor
Number of employees on job: 12
Line speed: 15 (pieces/minute)
Jobs rotated with: None
Rotation schedule: None
Break schedule: 2 15 minute breaks in the morning, 30 minute lunch
 Workstation:
____ 1. Are there any sharp edges? No
____ 2. What is the height of the work table? 30 inches from floor to conveyor.
 ____ 3. Adjustability: None
____ Can tools be moved around in the workplace? Not used
____ Can the work surface height be adjusted vertically? No
____ Can fixtures be tilted or rotated? No
____ 4. What is the worker standing on? concrete floor
____ 5. Is the floor or platform slippery? No
Postural
____ 1. Can worker change postures (sit-to-stand or stand-to-sit)? No
____ 2. What are the maximum reach distances in inches? Vertical = 30 to floor, Horizontal 33 inches
across
Miscellaneous
____ 1. Are Packages or materials handled? Yes
____ 2. What are they and what do they weigh?
Name: Various Packages
Weight up to 55 lbs.
____ 3. What is the temperature of the work environment?
78F degrees (C./F.)
____ 4. What personal protective equipment is used? None
(e.g., gloves, hard hats, aprons)
____ 5. Can the worker stop or control line speed? No
____ 6. Are there opportunities for micro rest pauses? Yes
If so, how many seconds? Up to 1-10 second between packages
____ 7. Estimate exertion or effort required to do the job (1 to 5) 1=low, 5=high. This is a 4.
 ____ 8. How many total packages lifted in a day. 600
 ____ 9. What is the total weight the employee moves in a day? Approximately 12,000 lbs.

28. Basic Screening Tool
Body Part Associated With
MSD Incident
Risk Factors This
Standard Covers
Performing job or tasks that involve:
Neck
Shoulder
Hand Wrist
Arm
Back Trunk
Hip
Leg Knee
Ankle
Repetition
(1) Repeating the same motions every few seconds or repeating a
cycle of motions involving the affected body part more than twice per
minute for more than 2 consecutive hours in a workday.
yes yes Yes Yes
(2) Using an input device, such as a keyboard and/or mouse, in a
steady manner for more than 4 hours total in a workday.
no No
Force
(3) Lifting more than 75 pounds at any one time; more than 55 pounds
more than 10 times per day; or more than 25 pounds below the knees,
above the shoulders, or at arms’ length more than 25 times per day
yes Yes Yes Yes
(4) Pushing/pulling with more than 20 pounds of initial force (e.g.,
equivalent to pushing a 65 pound box across a tile floor or pushing a
shopping cart with five 40 pound bags of dog food ) for more than 2
hours total per day
no No No No
(5) Pinching an unsupported object weighing 2 or more pounds per
hand, or use of an equivalent pinching force (e.g., holding a small
binder clip open) for more than 2 hours total per day;
no
(6) Gripping an unsupported object weighing 10 pounds or more per
hand, or use of an equivalent gripping force (e.g., crushing the sides
of an aluminum soda can with one hand), for more than 2 hours total
per day.
no
Awkward Postures
7) Repeatedly raising or working with the hand(s) above the head or
the elbow(s) above the shoulder(s) for more than 2 hours total per day
no No No
(8) Kneeling or squatting for more than 2 hours total per day no No
(9) Working with the back, neck or wrists bent or twisted for more than
2 hours total per day
yes Yes Yes
Contact Stress
(10) Using the hand or knee as a hammer more than 10 times per
hour for more than 2 hours total per day
no No No
(11) Using vibrating tools or equipment that typically have high
vibration levels (such as chainsaws, jack hammers, percussive tools,
riveting or chipping hammers) for more than 30 minutes total per day
no No No
Vibration
(12) Using tools or equipment that typically have moderate vibration
levels (such as jig saws, grinders, or sanders) for more than 2 hours
total per day.
no no

29. Before and After

30. Mechanical Lifts
Mechanical lifts raise the load to
an easier lifting position.

31. Positioners
Here is a video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9nAa-Ezvc
They are at http://www.beacontechnology.com/lift-and-tilt-tables/
Also many make similar.
Cost is about $3000

32. Lift Assisting Devices

33. Lift Assisting Devices

34. Palletizing
Pallet wrapping can be done by machines.
Double palletting can be used.

35. Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor.
Head is generally in-line with the torso.
Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body.
Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest.
Back is fully supported with lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back.
Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel
to the floor.
Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.

36. Prolonged static work
causes:
- reduction in blood flow
- increased pressure on sensitive
tissues surrounding the joints

37. Long periods of sitting or standing

38. Standing
 If you stand hours a
day, you might have
too much pressure on
certain areas of your
feet.
 Red wing has a
scanner that
measures this
pressure.
 Their $60 orthotics for
the heel are amazing.

39. Chair should have arm rests

40. Preferred viewing distance is
20 to 40 inches
The top of the monitor should
be at or slightly below eye level.
The center of the computer monitor
should normally be located 15 to 20
degrees below horizontal eye level

41. Wrist Rests

42. Ergo Keyboards and Mouse

43. Display screen is too high

44. Equipment
 Evaluate
– Hold vendor open houses
• Try out different equipment
– CNAs test equipment
• Provide feedback
 Consider types of devices
– Overhead
– Floor based total lift
– Lateral assist
– Sit to stand
– Slide sheet
 Select for resident population
• Facility constraints

45. PERM MOLD POURING
PROBLEM: Workers manually maneuver the ladle to scoop
aluminum from the furnace well and pour into a mold.
SOLUTION: Hydraulic lift arms have been fabricated internally to
suspend the ladles, allowing pourers to merely direct the
movements of the arm.
COST: $5000
BENEFITS: Eliminated all shoulder and back injuries and burns.
Reduced cycle times and fatigue which increased production.

46. DISA POURER
PROBLEM: On the majority of molds on the Hunter 30 x 32
automatic Molding Machine, it took two workers to pour the
mold. (Ladle weight – 40 lbs. each with metal)
SOLUTION: Automatic pouring machine eliminates both
workers from hand-pouring.
COST: $35,000
COST RECOVERY TIME: Six months
BENEFITS: Eliminated burns, shoulder and back injuries, and
manpower; also increased production.

47. GRINDER/CHIPPER DIE
PRESS OPERATOR
PROBLEM: Small pneumatic hand grinders were used to finish
parts, exerting strain on the wrists and arms.
SOLUTION: A trim die is now used to trim parts.
COST: $40,000
COST RECOVERY TIME: Six to twelve months
BENEFITS: Reduced cycle time, eliminated ergonomic stressors
including vibration, poor posture, and force.

48. Results Foundry 2009
Percentage Difference b/t Baseline and
2009 Rates
TCIR Ergo -24%
DART Ergo -48%

49. OSHA Inspections
 General Duty
Clause citations
 Ergonomic
Hazard Alert
Letters (EHAL)

50. General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1)
1. The employer failed to keep the work place free
of a hazard to which employees of that
employer were exposed;
2. The hazard was recognized;
3. The hazard was causing or was likely to cause
death or serious physical harm; and
4. There was a feasible and useful method to
correct the hazard.

51. General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1)
The employer failed
to keep the work
place free of a hazard
to which employees
of that employer
were exposed.
What is the hazard
here?

52. General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1)
The hazard was
recognized;

53. General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1)
The hazard was causing or was likely to
cause death or serious physical harm;

54. Backs
Ages 30 and 50
Aging process
Sedentary life
styles with too
little exercise
“Exercise may be the most
effective way to speed
recovery from low back pain
and help strengthen back and
abdominal muscles”

55. Ergo Audit Element
 A. Have you identified and
listed three ergonomic
hazards?
 Machine, job task or Process
ID:
 Comments:
 B. List ergonomic
corrective actions within last
12 months
 Machine or Process ID:
 Date:
 Comments:
 C. If you have had claims
with the root cause of
ergonomics, were corrective
measures taken?
 Comments:
 D. Annual documented
training on ergonomics
(back safety, preventing
hand fatigue, material
handling) for all employees
based on claim history. Is
an outline or explanation of
training available?
 Topic:
 Date:
 Comments:
 E. Are there material
handling procedures
implemented with a
maximum single-person lift
capacity?
 Where posted:

56. Insurance Trust Results
 0.84 EMR
 ~20% members had
no work comp
claims in 2012
 42% loss ratio vs.
Ind Avg 60%
 ~50% of members
had audit score of
90%

57. Stretching
 Controversial
 One Insurance
company says it can
reduce ankle, knee,
back, and rotator
cuff injuries.
 Morning and after
lunch stretches.
 30 second holds.

58. Summary
 Determine high-risk jobs
 Conduct evaluations
 Develop corrective actions
 Set annual ergonomic goals
 Update the medical and
recordkeeping program
 Document ergonomic efforts
 Audit the ergonomics
process
 Review workers'
compensation claims
Employees should
like working for your
company!