1) Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a serious problem, affecting 1.8 million U.S. workers annually and costing $15-20 billion in direct costs and $54 billion total.
2) OSHA is pushing to finalize its ergonomics standard this year to help address MSDs, which evidence shows can be reduced through ergonomics programs that minimize excessive force, awkward postures, and heavy lifting.
3) The proposed standard would require employers in high-risk industries to provide information to workers and set up an injury reporting system, then take action to analyze jobs when MSD injuries occur to identify risks needing reduction.
Cea-coloquio FEAE Galicia. 29 de maio 2009
Presentación de "Tendenzas Dixitais" realizada por Abraham Domínguez e Xosé Fariña asesores de contidos da Consellería de Educación. Xunta de Galicia.
Cea-coloquio FEAE Galicia. 29 de maio 2009
Presentación de "Tendenzas Dixitais" realizada por Abraham Domínguez e Xosé Fariña asesores de contidos da Consellería de Educación. Xunta de Galicia.
Basic Hazard AwarenessThis material was produced under the gr.docxjasoninnes20
Basic Hazard Awareness
“This material was produced under the grant SH-20839-SHO from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.”
Objectives
By the end of this workshop, you will:
Identify how workplace injuries or illnesses can affect your everyday life.
Identify common symptoms, aches/pains, illnesses and injuries that are associated with your work.
Identify and recognize the exposures and hazards linked to work-related illnesses and injuries.
Develop solutions and strategies to address these identified hazards.
CHEMICAL & DUST HAZARDS
(cleaning products, pesticides, asbestos, etc.)
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
(mold, insects/pests, communicable diseases, etc.)
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS
(repetition, lifting, awkward postures, etc.)
WORK ORGANIZATION HAZARDS
Things that cause STRESS!
SAFETY HAZARDS
(slips, trips and falls, faulty equipment, etc.)
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
(noise, temperature extremes, radiation, etc.)
3
Hierarchy of Controls
Requires a physical change to the workplace
Requires worker to wear something
Elimination/Substitution
Requires worker or employer to do something
Most Effective
Least Effective
These are referred to as the hierarchy of controls, how you prevent or control a hazard:
Elimination/Substitution: The main goal for any fix to a hazard or exposure is to eliminate it altogether or substitute a product or method of doing the work to a less hazardous alternative. (e.g. green cleaning products)
4
CONTROLS: Engineering
CONTROL AT THE SOURCE!
Limits the hazard but doesn’t entirely remove it.
Local Exhaust
Other Examples:
Mechanical Guards
Wet Methods for Dust
Enclosures/Isolation
Dilution Ventilation
Proper equipment
Re-designed Tools
Image: by Kare_Products
Image: by JohnRH4's photostream
Image: by purpleslog’s photostream
5
The basic concept behind engineering controls is that, to the extent feasible, the work environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate hazards or reduce exposure to hazards. While this approach is called engineering controls, it does not necessarily mean that an engineer is required to design the control. Engineering controls are the "first line of defense" against injury/illness, because they have the potential to completely eliminate a hazard, and do not rely on human behavior to be effective. For instance, rather than require employees to wear respiratory protection which must be monitored, inspected, trained, managed, it's much more effective to install a ventilation system that does not require any of those management activities or, better yet, find an alternative substitute that is less hazardous.
Images from: Creative Commons:
You are free:
to Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to Remix — to adapt the work
Under t ...
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 1 .docxrusselldayna
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 1
Ergonomic Hazard in the Workplace
Maryann Dadis
National University
COH 412: Injury Prevention
Date
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 2
Injuries relating to ergonomics is a costly and enormous problem. According to Bureau of
Labor Statistics (2017), ergonomic-related injuries continuous to be a significant cause of time
off in many workplaces. For example, in 2013, BLS estimated that those injuries resulted in
380,600 of days-away-from-work. Employees will be able to perform their jobs more effectively
if they are free from injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. This is the reason why ergonomics
has been one the focuses of the National Safety Council.
During an internship at an independent pharmacy, 2 of the workers were suffering from
musculoskeletal disorders caused by a poorly designed workplace. The pharmacy area was small
but busy, processing about 450 prescriptions per day. To reduce the amount of time spent on
filling prescriptions, commonly prescribed or fast-moving drugs were stocked on shelves under
the ‘customer’s window”. Because of this, retrieving medications required the filling technician
to bend and reach. Additionally, prescriptions were arriving by phone and the intake pharmacist
was spending a lot of time on the phone receiving the prescription request. She suffered from
neck pain due to her neck being in bent position all the time as headphones were not provided.
Furthermore, some computer stations did not support neutral postures for typing. This was
because monitors and keyboards were too low for a standing station, but there was no legroom
for sitting station either.
The ergonomic hazard that was associated with that workplace was the awkward postures
with excessive bending and reaching. Extended reaches are examples of awkward postures that
require the body to deviate from the neutral in the arms, shoulders, and back. Performing tasks in
such positions repeatedly enforce increased stress on the muscles and joints. Injuries occur when
stressed muscles do not have enough time to recover. The injuries that those employees sustained
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 3
were caused by frequent bending, reaching and awkward postures with the computer and
telephone use. The arrangement of the pharmacy and the lack of headphones resulted in twisted
postures and neck strain.
Hierarchy of Control
The hierarchy of controls is a model used by safety professionals to explain and establish
effective and practical approaches for minimizing contact with workplace hazards. There is no
single definitive model, but a rather extensive variety of interpretations of the model (Coble,
2015). The model is wide-ranging, so it can be applied to a broad range of dangers in the
workplace.
Engineering Control: Ergonomically designed workstations, chairs, and equipment. Integrate
adj.
C H A P T E R 1 3Safety and Health at WorkTRAINING FOR SA.docxRAHUL126667
C H A P T E R 1 3
Safety and Health at Work
TRAINING FOR SAFETY
As the HR manager of a large construction company, your workers’ health and safety is of paramount concern. Last
week, you reported an incidence rate of 7.5 accidents per 100 employees to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). When you compared these numbers to last year, you found the number had significantly
increased, as it was 4.2. This is concerning, because you know an unsafe workplace is not only bad for employees
and bad for business, but it could result in fines from OSHA. You ask your operations managers to meet with you
about the situation. When you bring this to his attention, he doesn’t seem at all concerned about the almost
double increase in accidents over the last year. He says the increase in accidents is a result of scaffolding falling dur-
ing a building project where several workers were hurt. He says this one accident skewed the numbers. He men-
tions that the supervisor responsible for the scaffolding had been let go six months ago for other reasons, and he
assures you that there is no reason to be concerned. A few weeks after this conversation, two of your workers
spend time in the hospital because of a falling scaffolding injury. Again, you approach the operations manager and
he assures you that those employees were just new and he will implement proper procedures. You know the incid-
ent will result in another high incident percentage, even if there isn’t another accident the rest of the year. You con-
sider your options.
You look back over ten years of accident reports and find there are three areas for which your company seems
to have 90 percent of all accidents. You decide you will develop a training program to address these safety issues in
your workplace. You refer to your HRM textbook for tips on how to prepare and communicate this training to your
employees. When you present this option to your operations manager, he says that employees don’t have the time
to take from their jobs to go through this training and suggests you just let it go. You are prepared for this re-
sponse, and you give him the dollar figure of money lost owing to worker injury in your organization. This gets his
attention, especially when you compare it to the small cost of doing a two-hour training for all employees. Both of
you check your Outlook schedules to find the best day of the week to schedule the training, for minimum impact
on employees’ work.
Workplace Safety and Health Introduction
The author introduces the chapter on workplace safety and health.
1. WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH LAWS
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. Be able to explain OSHA laws.
2. Understand right-to-know laws.
Workplace safety is the responsibility of everyone in the organization. HR professionals and managers,
however, play a large role in developing standards, making sure safety and health laws are followed,
and tracking workplace accidents ...
Basic Hazard AwarenessThis material was produced under the gr.docxjasoninnes20
Basic Hazard Awareness
“This material was produced under the grant SH-20839-SHO from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.”
Objectives
By the end of this workshop, you will:
Identify how workplace injuries or illnesses can affect your everyday life.
Identify common symptoms, aches/pains, illnesses and injuries that are associated with your work.
Identify and recognize the exposures and hazards linked to work-related illnesses and injuries.
Develop solutions and strategies to address these identified hazards.
CHEMICAL & DUST HAZARDS
(cleaning products, pesticides, asbestos, etc.)
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
(mold, insects/pests, communicable diseases, etc.)
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS
(repetition, lifting, awkward postures, etc.)
WORK ORGANIZATION HAZARDS
Things that cause STRESS!
SAFETY HAZARDS
(slips, trips and falls, faulty equipment, etc.)
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
(noise, temperature extremes, radiation, etc.)
3
Hierarchy of Controls
Requires a physical change to the workplace
Requires worker to wear something
Elimination/Substitution
Requires worker or employer to do something
Most Effective
Least Effective
These are referred to as the hierarchy of controls, how you prevent or control a hazard:
Elimination/Substitution: The main goal for any fix to a hazard or exposure is to eliminate it altogether or substitute a product or method of doing the work to a less hazardous alternative. (e.g. green cleaning products)
4
CONTROLS: Engineering
CONTROL AT THE SOURCE!
Limits the hazard but doesn’t entirely remove it.
Local Exhaust
Other Examples:
Mechanical Guards
Wet Methods for Dust
Enclosures/Isolation
Dilution Ventilation
Proper equipment
Re-designed Tools
Image: by Kare_Products
Image: by JohnRH4's photostream
Image: by purpleslog’s photostream
5
The basic concept behind engineering controls is that, to the extent feasible, the work environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate hazards or reduce exposure to hazards. While this approach is called engineering controls, it does not necessarily mean that an engineer is required to design the control. Engineering controls are the "first line of defense" against injury/illness, because they have the potential to completely eliminate a hazard, and do not rely on human behavior to be effective. For instance, rather than require employees to wear respiratory protection which must be monitored, inspected, trained, managed, it's much more effective to install a ventilation system that does not require any of those management activities or, better yet, find an alternative substitute that is less hazardous.
Images from: Creative Commons:
You are free:
to Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to Remix — to adapt the work
Under t ...
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 1 .docxrusselldayna
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 1
Ergonomic Hazard in the Workplace
Maryann Dadis
National University
COH 412: Injury Prevention
Date
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 2
Injuries relating to ergonomics is a costly and enormous problem. According to Bureau of
Labor Statistics (2017), ergonomic-related injuries continuous to be a significant cause of time
off in many workplaces. For example, in 2013, BLS estimated that those injuries resulted in
380,600 of days-away-from-work. Employees will be able to perform their jobs more effectively
if they are free from injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. This is the reason why ergonomics
has been one the focuses of the National Safety Council.
During an internship at an independent pharmacy, 2 of the workers were suffering from
musculoskeletal disorders caused by a poorly designed workplace. The pharmacy area was small
but busy, processing about 450 prescriptions per day. To reduce the amount of time spent on
filling prescriptions, commonly prescribed or fast-moving drugs were stocked on shelves under
the ‘customer’s window”. Because of this, retrieving medications required the filling technician
to bend and reach. Additionally, prescriptions were arriving by phone and the intake pharmacist
was spending a lot of time on the phone receiving the prescription request. She suffered from
neck pain due to her neck being in bent position all the time as headphones were not provided.
Furthermore, some computer stations did not support neutral postures for typing. This was
because monitors and keyboards were too low for a standing station, but there was no legroom
for sitting station either.
The ergonomic hazard that was associated with that workplace was the awkward postures
with excessive bending and reaching. Extended reaches are examples of awkward postures that
require the body to deviate from the neutral in the arms, shoulders, and back. Performing tasks in
such positions repeatedly enforce increased stress on the muscles and joints. Injuries occur when
stressed muscles do not have enough time to recover. The injuries that those employees sustained
Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace 3
were caused by frequent bending, reaching and awkward postures with the computer and
telephone use. The arrangement of the pharmacy and the lack of headphones resulted in twisted
postures and neck strain.
Hierarchy of Control
The hierarchy of controls is a model used by safety professionals to explain and establish
effective and practical approaches for minimizing contact with workplace hazards. There is no
single definitive model, but a rather extensive variety of interpretations of the model (Coble,
2015). The model is wide-ranging, so it can be applied to a broad range of dangers in the
workplace.
Engineering Control: Ergonomically designed workstations, chairs, and equipment. Integrate
adj.
C H A P T E R 1 3Safety and Health at WorkTRAINING FOR SA.docxRAHUL126667
C H A P T E R 1 3
Safety and Health at Work
TRAINING FOR SAFETY
As the HR manager of a large construction company, your workers’ health and safety is of paramount concern. Last
week, you reported an incidence rate of 7.5 accidents per 100 employees to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). When you compared these numbers to last year, you found the number had significantly
increased, as it was 4.2. This is concerning, because you know an unsafe workplace is not only bad for employees
and bad for business, but it could result in fines from OSHA. You ask your operations managers to meet with you
about the situation. When you bring this to his attention, he doesn’t seem at all concerned about the almost
double increase in accidents over the last year. He says the increase in accidents is a result of scaffolding falling dur-
ing a building project where several workers were hurt. He says this one accident skewed the numbers. He men-
tions that the supervisor responsible for the scaffolding had been let go six months ago for other reasons, and he
assures you that there is no reason to be concerned. A few weeks after this conversation, two of your workers
spend time in the hospital because of a falling scaffolding injury. Again, you approach the operations manager and
he assures you that those employees were just new and he will implement proper procedures. You know the incid-
ent will result in another high incident percentage, even if there isn’t another accident the rest of the year. You con-
sider your options.
You look back over ten years of accident reports and find there are three areas for which your company seems
to have 90 percent of all accidents. You decide you will develop a training program to address these safety issues in
your workplace. You refer to your HRM textbook for tips on how to prepare and communicate this training to your
employees. When you present this option to your operations manager, he says that employees don’t have the time
to take from their jobs to go through this training and suggests you just let it go. You are prepared for this re-
sponse, and you give him the dollar figure of money lost owing to worker injury in your organization. This gets his
attention, especially when you compare it to the small cost of doing a two-hour training for all employees. Both of
you check your Outlook schedules to find the best day of the week to schedule the training, for minimum impact
on employees’ work.
Workplace Safety and Health Introduction
The author introduces the chapter on workplace safety and health.
1. WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH LAWS
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. Be able to explain OSHA laws.
2. Understand right-to-know laws.
Workplace safety is the responsibility of everyone in the organization. HR professionals and managers,
however, play a large role in developing standards, making sure safety and health laws are followed,
and tracking workplace accidents ...
Preliminary Labor Ergonomic Analysis Applied to a Brazilian Solid Materials R...CSCJournals
The key to successfully develop a program to enhance safety and ergonomics in the workplace is an innovative process that aims to reduce workplace injury levels as well as minimize risks. This can be achieved by raising awareness and changing employees' behavior. Nowadays managers tend to strive for improved efficiency and productivity in all sectors. However, the growing demand for greater productivity has put the employees' health and well-being at great risk. Following another trend, the enterprise under study is based on the principles of solidarity economy that aims to guarantee self-management processes, focusing on the human health and wellbeing rather than financial profits. Based on the ergonomic questionnaire results and the follow-up of the co-workers' routine, some forms of improvement to accomplish their tasks were suggested.
December 2014 ComplianceSigns Connection Workplace Safety NewsletterComplianceSigns, LLC
December workplace safety news and OSHA fines, plus top safety news items of 2014, including:
• Top 10 Safety Articles of 2014: OSHA Rules, Confined Spaces, Safe Driving
• Top 10 OSHA Fines of 2014 Total $9.2 Million
• Top Safety Tip of 2014: Abrasive Blasting
International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) is an open access online peer reviewed international journal that publishes research and review articles in the fields of Computer Science, Neural Networks, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Food Technology, Textile Engineering, Nano Technology & science, Power Electronics, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computational mathematics, Image processing, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, VLSI Testing & Low Power VLSI Design etc.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Honest Reviews of Tim Han LMA Course Program.pptxtimhan337
Personal development courses are widely available today, with each one promising life-changing outcomes. Tim Han’s Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course has drawn a lot of interest. In addition to offering my frank assessment of Success Insider’s LMA Course, this piece examines the course’s effects via a variety of Tim Han LMA course reviews and Success Insider comments.
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
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This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
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Speeches - (Archived) Table of Contents
• Information Date: 10/27/2000
• Presented To: BEACON Biodynamics and Ergonomics Symposium University of Co
• Speaker: Jeffress, Charles N.
• Status: Archived
NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as
content, for research and review purposes only.
"This document was published prior to the publication of OSHA's final rule on Ergonomics Progra
1910.900, November 14, 2000), and therefore does not necessarily address or reflect the provisio
the final standard."
Charles N. Jeffress
BEACON Biodynamics and
Ergonomics Symposium
University of Connecticut
Farmington, Conn.
October 27, 2000
Why is OSHA pushing so hard to complete its ergonomics standard this year? I want you to know that I've answered
dozens of times since last November.
Of course, all of us gathered here today know the answer. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs are a se
problem throughout American workplaces.
Every year 1.8 million U.S. workers experience work-related MSDs-back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, or tendinit
This includes nearly 600,000 injuries serious enough to cause workers to miss work-a full third of the most serious o
Here's another way to look at these numbers. Today, this day, more than 1,500 working Americans will suffer painfu
to overexertion or repetitive motion. These injuries are potentially disabling and can require long recovery periods. F
workers need an average of 28 days to recuperate from carpal tunnel syndrome-more time than necessary for ampu
2. fractures.
MSDs are also very costly injuries. Direct costs of MSDs total $15 to $20 billion per year. Indirect costs increase that
$54 billion. That's an average of $135 million per day.
But real solutions exist that can spare workers pain and pare expenses for their employers. It's time we began puttin
to work for everyone's benefit. No worker should take a job to earn a living only to return home disabled. And no em
have to bear the expense associated with injuries that can be prevented.
OSHA has found substantial evidence that ergonomics programs can cut workers' compensation costs, increase prod
decrease employee turnover. In fact, as you know, ergonomics began as an effort to streamline work processes and
efficiency to save money.
In short, good ergonomics is good economics. It's about working smarter and safer. That's good business.
We know better than to push equipment beyond its rated capacity. That's a surefire recipe for malfunction or breakd
would we want to push our people beyond their physical capacity? Obviously, we don't.
OSHA has spent 10 years studying ergonomics, and the record includes more than 14,000 studies. During this rulem
received more than 8,000 public comments and heard from more than 700 witnesses during our nine-week hearing.
The evidence is more than sufficient. It is overwhelming. Musculoskeletal disorders are related to work, and reducin
excessive force, awkward postures and heavy lifting can reduce the risk of injury. The time to act is now.
In 1995, OSHA developed a draft ergonomics rule that it circulated for feedback. That draft would have required em
examine all jobs against a set of risk factors. High-risk jobs would then need to be fixed.
The business community reacted swiftly and strongly. Business opposition led Congress to pass appropriations riders
1995, 96 and 98, prohibiting OSHA from even publishing an ergonomics proposal.
Business was up in arms at the prospect of having to examine every job in every workplace to determine if doing th
in an MSD. Trade associations and other business leaders wanted OSHA to find a better way to focus the standard,
risk jobs.
So we developed a new proposal in 1999 to address this concern. It asks employers with high-risk jobs-about 25 pe
industry employers-to provide information to workers and set up an injury reporting system. Employers would only n
action to analyze jobs when someone actually suffers an MSD.
Of course, using an injury trigger is not the most preventive approach. But it zeroes in very effectively on jobs and a
real problems clearly exist.
OSHA's proposal also recognizes that no ergonomics program will prevent every MSD, and that different people may
different risk levels. But the injury trigger flags jobs that need correction to prevent future problems. Witnesses in ou
pointed to the need to identify specific physical risks that led to the injury and that must be reduced to avoid additio
were encouraged to set thresholds for these risks would make it clearer to employers when a job needs fixing and w
done enough.
The state of Washington has used a risk factor approach in its new ergonomics standard to help employers quickly d
jobs require further analysis and possible action. Under WISHA's standard, employers would need to examine jobs th
specific awkward postures, repetitive lifting of various weights or engaging in other high risk activities for specified p
The Washington state standard requires worker education and reduction of physical risks in individual jobs to reduce
WISHA expects a 40-percent reduction in work-related MSDs through its new standard. This is based on research in
lower the intensity, duration and frequency of exposure to physical risk factors at work, the lower the risk a worker w
MSD. Therefore, reducing the weight of objects workers must lift, limiting the time workers must work in awkward p
the number of repetitive motions workers must perform should reduce injuries. Evidence presented in comments to
OSHA hearing indicated this is a promising approach.
One of OSHA's commitments in its 1999 proposal was to provide flexibility for employers in determining how to solve
size does not fit all. We know it's critical in the final standard to maintain flexibility and continue a performance-orien
At the same time, our proposal was criticized for being vague about when an employer was in compliance. Employer
when they've done enough. They want to be sure that their response is sufficient to protect their employees. They w
that their ergonomics program will meet the approval of an OSHA inspector.
Finding the balance between performance and specification is very tough to do. If we're not specific enough, we're n
guidance that some employers, particularly small businesses, may need. If we're too specific, our requirements won
the flexibility they need to resolve the unique problems they face. It's damned if you do, and damned if you don't. B
one way or the other, I think it's most important to maintain flexibility. And no doubt I'll hear more on this subject fr
follow me.
Now I want to address Work Restriction Protection. This has proven to be one of the more controversial provisions i
proposed ergonomics standard. It has generated a significant amount of public comment and crossfire during the he
though earlier OSHA standards have required similar medical removal protection. And in the case of high blood lead
may be removed from jobs involving lead exposure for up to 18 months. We proposed a six-month limit for WRP.
3. Under WRP, employees would receive full pay and benefits for light duty work and 90 percent of net pay and benefi
miss work. And WRP payments are offset by any workers' compensation that injured workers receive.
The key to preventing serious disability as a result of MSDs lies in early reporting. And more than any other OSHA st
ergonomics proposal depends upon individual workers coming forward promptly to report their injuries.
OSHA's experience has shown that workers may be reluctant to report problems early if doing so will cause them to
lose pay. We must find a way to reassure employees that they won't be penalized for reporting injuries. This is parti
for workers at smaller businesses, which often do not provide sick time. Currently, if their employer directs them to
off to recover from tendinitis, workers who do so know their next paycheck will be short. So, a worker may decide in
with the pain in hopes that it will just go away.
In our final standard, we need to include some strategy that encourages early reporting to reduce both the incidenc
MSDs. When we depend so heavily on workers to report problems, we must find a way to encourage them to do it s
later, before irreversible damage occurs.
And we are close to a final standard. I expect that our final standard will be published by the end of the year. After
challenge will be to provide employers with the assistance they need to implement programs that fit their workplace
What we must remember is that real solutions are available to fix problem jobs. And when we identify them, both em
employees will benefit.
While ergonomics relies on a scientific approach to fit the job to the worker, it isn't necessarily exact. Sometimes it r
experimentation. But every safety and health professional can identify solutions that eliminate musculoskeletal disor
from a mismatch between the job and the worker.
Solutions can be simple, obvious and inexpensive. Things like adding a platform to reduce reach, padding hand tools
surfaces, substituting a more effective tool or reducing the size of items workers must lift. These are sensible approa
risk without reinventing the factory. Often they are suggested and developed by the workers in the jobs that need to
While we have sound science linking work and MSDs, there is clearly room for more research. The research work tha
are doing is important. You've focused on an issue that is in the forefront of safety and health. And your research ha
significantly improve lives.
How can we design the work environment and the work flow to minimize physical stress? How can we re-design com
have already resulted in injury? How can we address ergonomics in other industries like construction? What solution
Europe or Japan?
Are there more objective measures of MSDs that we could rely on? What strategies prove most effective in treating
What new interventions might be successful?
We need your contributions, and we welcome them. We want to send every worker home whole and healthy every
will guide employers and employees in finding practical solutions to common problems to prevent injuries. We appre
partnership in creating safer workplaces, and we look forward to working together in the future.
NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as
content, for research and review purposes only.
Speeches - (Archived) Table of Contents
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