OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS
AN INTRODUCTORY
COURSE
WELCOME
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
BASIS FOR THIS COURSE
 THOUSANDS OF WORKERS CAN BENEFIT FROM ERGONOMICS
 DAILY EXPOSURE TO NUMEROUS ERGONOMIC STRESSORS
 DAILY EXPOSURE TO NUMEROUS PHYSICAL HAZARDS
 EFFICIENCY CAN BE GREATLY IMPROVED
 OSHA SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE:




Establishment of a “safety” program
Training be conducted
Ergonomic stressors be assessed
Hazards and precautions be explained
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMICS DEFINED
VARIOUS AUTHORS DEFINE ERGONOMICS AS:
 The study of man’s relationship with his or her
workplace.
 Fitting the task to the person rather than forcing
him/her to adapt to the work environment.
 Designing the workplace to prevent occupational
injury and illness.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMICS DEFINED
(Continued)
VARIOUS AUTHORS DEFINE ERGONOMICS AS:
 Discovering the capabilities and limitations of the
human body.
 The art and science that addresses workers’ job
performance and well-being in relation to their job
tasks, tools, equipment and environment.
 The study of the relationship between people and
machines or between employees and their
environment.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMICS DEFINED
(Continued)
VARIOUS AUTHORS DEFINE ERGONOMICS AS:
 The study of the interaction between the worker and
the process at the workplace.
WHAT OTHER DEFINITIONS
HAVE YOU HEARD?
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMICS IS IMPORTANT
ERGONOMICS PLAYS A ROLE IN APPROXIMATELY 50% OF
ALL WORKPLACE INJURIES. ERGONOMICS WILL HELP:








Improve quality.
Improve absenteeism.
SAFETY
Maintain a healthier work force.
STATISTICS
Reduce injury and illness rates.
Acceptance of high-turnover jobs.
Workers feel good about their work.
Reduce workers’ compensation costs.
Elevate OSHA compliance to a higher level of awareness.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMICS
A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH
THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER
OF WAYS ERGONOMICS
IMPACTS OUR DAILY LIFE!
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS







WORK STATION DESIGN
TOOL SELECTION AND DESIGN
OFFICE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS (VDT’S) SAFETY
BACK INJURY REDUCTION AND PREVENTION
MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING IMPROVEMENT
CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDER (CTD) REDUCTION
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT










Follow-up
Recordkeeping
Symptom surveys
Health surveillance
Classify job demands
Disability management
Establish treatment protocols
Periodic reviews with physicians
Early symptoms reporting mechanism
Health care providers must be part of the program
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
 ERGONOMICS WORKING GROUP




WRITTEN PROGRAM
EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
TOP MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT
REGULAR PROGRAM ACTIVITY, REVIEW AND EVALUATION
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
 HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL




PPE REDUCTION
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
OPTIMIZATION OF WORK PRACTICES
DANGER
EYE PROTECTION
REQUIRED BEYOND
THIS POINT
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND ERGONOMIC CONTROLS
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
 Work Station Design
 Process Modification
 Tool Selection and Design
 Mechanical Assist
 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
 Training Programs
 Pacing
 FIRST CHOICE
 SECOND CHOICE
 Job Rotation/Enlargement
 Policy and Procedures
 PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT LAST CHOICE
 Gloves
 Shields
 Non-Slip Shoes
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
 Wraps
 Eye Protection
 Aprons
ER - ‹#›
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND ERGONOMIC CONTROLS
 OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS:
Occupational risk factors are defined as any attribute of a job or
task that we know increases the probability of injury or illness.
 INAPPROPRIATE
1. Force
- Including-
Internal or External
2. Posture
- Such as -
Extreme Twisting or Bending
3. Repetition
- Including-
Muscle Group Overexertion
4. Insufficient Rest
- Including-
Muscle Group Overexertion
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
WORKSITE ANALYSIS
 WORKSITE ANALYSIS IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR MAIN PARTS:
1. Gathering information from available sources.
2. Conducting baseline screening surveys to determine which
jobs need a closer analysis.
3. Performing ergonomic job hazard analyses of those work
stations with identified risk factors.
4. After implementing control measures, conducting periodic
surveys and follow-up to evaluate changes.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
WORKSITE ANALYSIS
Continued
SYMPTOM SURVEY
1. NOTE AREAS OF PAIN
OR DISCOMFORT!
2. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS
THE SOURCE?
3. WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGES WOULD HELP?
4. WHAT OTHER FEEDBACK
CAN BE GATHERED?
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
FRONT
BACK
ER - ‹#›
INCIDENCE RATES
 INCIDENCE RATES:
incidence rates for upper extremity
disorders and/or back injuries should be calculated by
counting the incidences of CTDs and reporting the incidences
per 100 full time workers per year per facility.
INCIDENCE RATE
(NUMBER OF NEW CASES (200,000 WORK HRS*) PER FACILITY
NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED/FACILITY/YR
* 200,000 = APPROXIMATE ANNUAL WORK HOURS FOR 100 WORKERS.
* THE SAME METHOD SHOULD BE APPLIED TO DEPARTMENTS,
PRODUCTION LINES, OR JOB TYPES WITHIN EACH FACILITY.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
INCIDENCE RATES
(Continued)
 SAMPLE INCIDENCE RATE CALCULATION:
(NUMBER OF NEW CASES (200,000 WORK HRS*) PER FACILITY
NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED/FACILITY/YR
IF YOU EXPERIENCED 2 CARPAL TUNNEL CASES LAST YEAR, IN A POPULATION
OF 100 EMPLOYEES. WHAT IS THE INCIDENCE RATE?
2 X 200,000
IR =
IR =
100 X (50 X 40 hrs)
400,000
200,000
IR = 2 CASES OF CARPAL TUNNEL PER
100 PERSON-YEARS OF EXPOSURE
* 200,000 = APPROXIMATE ANNUAL WORK HOURS FOR 100 WORKERS.
* THE SAME METHOD SHOULD BE APPLIED TO DEPARTMENTS, PRODUCTION LINES, OR
JOB TYPES WITHIN EACH FACILITY.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ANTHROPOMETRY DEFINED
ANTHROPOMETRY:
The technology of measuring and quantifying
various human physical traits such as size,
weight, proportion, mobility and strength.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ANTHROPOMETRY DEFINED
ENGINEERING
ANTHROPOMETRY:
The application of anthropometric data
to equipment, workplace and job design
to enhance the efficiency, safety and
comfort of the operator.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ANTHROPOMETRIC DIMENSIONS
Inches
Abbreviated Table of Anthropometric Dimensions
Physical
Dimension
1. Stature
2. Eye ht.
3. Hip ht.
4. Elbow ht.
MEN
5th
64.0
59.6
33.1
39.6
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
50th
62.5
64.2
36.2
42.9
WOMEN
95th
73.0
68.7
39.4
46.5
5th
59.3
55.3
29.1
36.6
50th
63.4
59.3
31.9
39.6
95th
67.3
63.4
42.7
42.7
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS
PERSONAL RISK FACTORS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Age
Gender
Attitude
Training
Strength
Work method
Anthropometry
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS
Continued
JOB RISK FACTORS
1. Weight of load
2. Location/size of load
3. Frequency of the Task
4. Duration and pace of cycle
5. Stability of load
6. Coupling of load
7. Travel distances of worker
8. Reach distances of worker
9. Symmetry between worker and the object held
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS
Continued
JOB RISK FACTORS
10. Static work posture
a) Standing
b) Sitting
11. Work platforms or stairs
12. Torso flexion (bending)
a) Mild (up to 45 degrees)
b) Severe (greater than 45 degrees)
13. Work heights (too high or too low)
14. Floor surfaces (wet, smooth, vibration)
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS
Continued
JOB RISK FACTORS
15. Environment
a) Hot (sweat, reduced grip, fatigue)
b) Cold (gloves reduce grip by as much as 30%)
16. Lighting
a) posture problems (because of inability to see)
17. Noise/vibration
a) Frequency very important
b) Can amplify through the body
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS
Continued
WHAT ARE THE
PRIMARY RISK
FACTORS
ASSOCIATED WITH
YOUR JOB?
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
UNIT LOADS:
DEFINED AS:
The unit to be moved or
handled at any one time.
THE CONTAINER, CARRIER, OR SUPPORT USED
TO MOVE MATERIALS MUST BE INCLUDED AS
PART OF THE UNIT LOAD.
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
FACTORS AFFECTING UNIT LOADS
 THE MATERIAL TO BE UTILIZED
 THE QUANTITY OF MATERIAL TO BE HANDLED
 THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE MATERIAL TO DAMAGE
 THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE UNIT LOAD IS HANDLED
 THE RECEIVING, STORING, SHIPPING, AND HANDLING METHODS
 THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS TO WHICH THE LOAD IS EXPOSED
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
DESIGNING THE UNIT LOAD
 OPTIMIZE THE WEIGHT OF THE LOAD
 REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE LOAD
 INSURE STABILITY OF THE LOAD
 OPTIMIZE LOAD COUPLING
- HAND TO LOAD
- FOOT TO FLOOR
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
 Fundamental Movements or acts
“ELEMENT”
- Search
- Select
- Grasp
- Reach
- Move
- Hold
- Position
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
- Inspect
- Assemble
- Disassemble
- Delay (unavoidable)
- Delay (avoidable)
- Plan
- Rest (overcome fatigue)
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
 The time required to complete one sequence of tasks
sub- tasks, or elements.
“CYCLE”
 Example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Assemble new box
Put bottles in box from conveyor
Stack boxes on pallet
Go to step 1
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
TASK ANALYSIS
 IDENTIFY THE JOB TO STUDY
 COLLECT THE DATA
 EVALUATE THE DATA
 FORMULATE CONTROL MEASURES
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
IDENTIFYING THE JOB TO STUDY
 ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
 ACCIDENT STATISTICS
 COMPLAINTS & OPERATOR FEEDBACK
 PRODUCTION BOTTLENECKS, HIGH ERRORS
 HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER JOBS
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
COLLECTING THE DATA
 DIRECT OBSERVATION
 VIDEO TAPE
 ACTION PHOTOGRAPHS
 DOCUMENTARY ACCOUNTS
 ACCIDENT STATISTICS
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
EVALUATING THE DATA
 TASK DESCRIPTION
 SUB-TASK DESCRIPTION
 ELEMENT DESCRIPTION
 RISK FACTOR/HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
FORMULATING CONTROL MEASURES
 APPLICATION OF ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES
 CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
 ELIMINATE OR REDUCE EXPOSURE
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
ER - ‹#›
JOB AND TASK ANALYSIS
Continued
TASK ANALYSIS FORM








TASK DESCRIPTION
LEFT HAND
RIGHT HAND
FREQUENCY
NOTES
POSTURE
FORCE
DURATION
NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
- Action Being Performed
- Usage
- Usage
- Usually per minute
- Supporting information
- Acceptable to extreme
- High, Medium, Low
- Length of Stressor
ER - ‹#›