It is about how a workplace is designed so that workers remain comfortable while working.

1. Sada Sehar 2014-es-017

2. Ergonomics
“ Derived from two Greek words, “Nomoi”
meaning natural laws and “Ergon” meaning
work”
“Ergonomics is the process of designing or
arranging workplaces,
products and systems
so that they fit the
people who use them”

3. History
• As early as 18th century doctors noted that
workers who required to maintain body
positions for long periods of time developed
musculoskeletal problems.
• Within last 20 years research has clearly
established connections between certain job
tasks and MSD.

4. OSHA GUIDELINES REGARDING ERGONOMICS
• Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Poultry Processing. OSHA
Publication 3213, (2013).
• Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking
Plants. OSHA Publication 3123, (1993).
• Beverage Distribution Hazard Alert Letter. OSHA, (August 18, 2011).
• Solutions for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in
Foundries. OSHA Publication 3465, (2012).
• Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of
Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3182, (2003,
Revised March 2009).
• Guidelines for Shipyards: Ergonomics for the Prevention of
Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3341, (2008).
• Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores: Ergonomics for the Prevention
of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3192, (2004)

5. Goal of Ergonomics
• No matter what the job is, the goal is to
make sure that you are safe, comfortable,
and less prone to work-related injuries
• To improve the relationship b/w people ,
equipment , workplace, and the
environment.
• Increase work efficiency and productivity.
• To reduce physical work loads.
• To minimize the risk of injury ,
illness , accidents and errors
without compromising productivity.

6. TYPES OF ERGONOMICS
• Physical ergonomics is the human body’s responses
to physical and physiological work loads. Repetitive
strain injuries from repetition, vibration, force, and
posture fall into this category.

7. • Cognitive ergonomics deals with the mental
processes and capacities of humans when at
work. Mental strain from workload, decision
making, human error, and training fall into this
category.

8. • Organizational ergonomics deals with the
organizational structures, policies and
processes in the work environment, such as
shift work, scheduling, job satisfaction,
motivation, supervision, teamwork,
telecommuting, and ethics.

9. MSDs
“Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the
muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and
tendons.”
Examples of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendinitis
• Rotator cuff injuries (affects the shoulder)
• Epicondylitis (affects the elbow)
• Trigger finger
• Muscle strains and low back injuries

10. Risk Factors
Workers in many different industries and occupations can be
exposed to risk factors at work, such as
•lifting heavy items,
•bending,
•reaching overhead,
•pushing and pulling heavy loads,
•Pushing, pulling, carrying
•Accidents, slips, trips, falls
•Vibration & Noise
• working in awkward body postures and
• performing the same or similar tasks repetitively

11. • Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
(WMSD) are fastest-growing injury category
1997 study of 420 medical secretaries
• 63 % reported neck/shoulder pain
• 51% low back pain
• 30 % hand/wrist pain
• 1.8 million MSD injuries each year • 600,000
MSD injuries require Medical Treatment

12. Applications of Ergonomics
• Design of work areas (including office
furniture, automobile interiors, and aircraft
cockpits)
• Disposition of switches and gauges on the
control panels of machinery
• Determining the size, shape, and layout of
keys on computer terminals
• Character height, colour, and clarity on video
displays.

13. • Making sure that you have good posture in
whatever you do, whether it is sitting in front
of a computer, standing at a checkout, or
walking around a warehouse

14. • Adjusting the position of your computer
keyboard to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome

15. • Being sure that the height of your desk chair
allows your feet to rest flat on floor

16. • Learning the right way to lift heavy objects to
prevent back injuries

17. • Using handle coatings or special gloves to
suppress vibrations from power tools

18. To achieve best practice design, Ergonomists
use the data and techniques of several
disciplines:
• anthropometry
• biomechanics
• environmental physics
• applied psychology
• social psychology

19. Ergonomic Control Measures for MSDs
• Engineering Controls (implement physical change to the
workplace, which eliminates/reduces the hazard on the
job/task)
Example: Use a device to lift and reposition heavy objects to
limit force exertion

20. • Administrative and Work Practice Controls (establish efficient
processes or procedures)
Example: Staff "floaters" to provide periodic breaks between
scheduled breaks. Require that heavy loads are only lifted by
two people to limit force exertion

21. • Personal Protective Equipment (use protection to reduce
exposure to ergonomics-related risk factors)
Example: Use padding to reduce direct contact with hard,
sharp, or vibrating surfaces

22. Use a drum mover to reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling
heavy drums

25. ss

27. Advantages
• Maximize productivity, efficiency and quality
• Reduce MSD risk by eliminating or minimizing
ergonomic risk factors
• Improve employee morale
• Cost savings associated with injury
and treatment,
• It helps workers do work safely
• It makes workers more comfortable
• It prevents workers’ injuries

28. Disadvantages
• It costs money to develop and design it.
• Usually take more time and resources than
other methods
• Very high effort in planning, recruiting, and
executing
• Much longer study periods and therefore
requires much goodwill among the
participants

29. • "DESIGNING THE JOB TO
FIT THE WORKER , NOT
FORCING THE WORKER
TO FIT THE JOB“