ERGONOMICS and the WORKPLACE Ergonomic Regulations in South Africa and What it Means For You • Definition of Ergonomics Contents • Ergonomics Domains • Ergonomics South African Regulation • Ergonomics Process • Ergonomics Risk Factors • Human Musculoskeletal System and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) • Other Causes of Disorders • Other Factors in Ergonomics • Importance of Workplace Ergonomics • Assessment Tools Definition Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. The word ergonomics comes from the Greek word “ergon” which means work and “nomos” which means laws. It’s essentially the “laws of work” or “science of work”. Good ergonomic design removes incompatibilities between the work and the worker and creates the optimal work environment Ergonomics Domains Ergonomics Domains l s a c ic i s m y o h P on g r E Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. This is the ergonomics domain we are most concerned with in the workplace. The science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Ergonomics is an approach or solution to deal with a number of problems—among them are workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics Domains l s a c ic i s m y o h P on g r E Benefits of Ergonomics • • • • • Lower costs Higher productivity Better product quality Improved employee engagement Better safety culture The ergonomics improvement process systematically identifies ergonomic hazards and puts in place engineering and administrative control measures to quantifiably reduce risk factors. Ergonomics Domains e s v i t ic i n m g o o n C go r E Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. Typically includes: • • • • • • • mental workload decision-making skilled performance human-computer interaction human reliability work stress training as these may relate to human-system design l a n it o cs i a z m i n o a n g r go O Er Ergonomics Domains Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes. Typically includes: • • • • • • • • communication crew resource management work design design of working times teamwork participatory design community ergonomics cooperative work • • • • new work paradigms virtual organizations telework quality management South African Ergonomics Regulation The Ergonomics Regulations, in terms of section 43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, were published by the Minister of Employment and Labour in the Government Gazette on the 6th of December 2019. Although the Ergonomics Regulations are fairly new, the concept is embedded in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, where Section 8(2)(d) requires the employer to establish hazards and precautionary measured attached to any work that will be done According to The South African Labour Guide, these new regulations will focus on a programme approach to managing the physical and cognitive ergonomics in the workplace and will apply to: • Employers or self-employed persons who carries out work at a workplace which may expose any person to physical or cognitive risk factors in that workplace; • A person who designs, manufactures, erects, installs or supplies machinery, equipment or articles for use at work. Some Definitions from the Regulation "adverse health effect" means the causation, promotion, facilitation or exacerbation of a structural or functional abnormality, with the implication that the abnormality produced has the potential of lowering the quality of life, contributing to a disabling illness or leading to premature death; "competent person" in relation to ergonomics, means a person who– (a) has in respect of the work or task to be performed the required knowledge, training and experience in ergonomics and, where applicable, qualifications specific to ergonomics: provided that where appropriate qualifications and training are registered in terms of the provisions of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008), those qualifications and that training must be regarded as the required qualifications and training; and (b) is familiar with the Act and the applicable regulations made under the Act; Some Definitions from the Regulation "ergonomic risk" means a characteristic or action in the workplace, workplace conditions, or a combination thereof that may impair overall system performance and human well-being; "ergonomic risk assessment" means a programme, process or investigation to identify, analyse, evaluate and prioritise any risk from exposure to ergonomic risks associated with the workplace; "work system" means a system in which human participants or machines or human participants and machines perform work using information, technology and other resources to produce products or services for internal or external customers. What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 1 Implement an Ergonomics Programme As part of your existing health and safety programme, employers need to implement an ergonomics programme, which will help protect the health and safety of any person exposed to ergonomic risk in the workplace. • • • • Include What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 2 Inform, Instruct and Train Your Employees Employers need to educate all employees and contractors about the basics of ergonomics, including what the risks are and what procedures have been implemented to address ergonomic related issues. Reg 3 the content and scope of these Regulations; the potential sources of exposure to ergonomic risks; the nature of ergonomic risks; the control measures that are in place to prevent exposure to ergonomic risks; • the procedure for reporting ergonomic risks to the health and safety representative or employer; • the precautions to be taken by an employee to protect himself or herself against ergonomic risks; and • the assessment of exposure, the necessity for medical surveillance and the long-term benefits of undergoing such surveillance What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 3 Consider Ergonomics As far as possible, designers, manufacturers, importers or suppliers need to ensure that machinery, plant or work systems optimise human well-being and overall system performance. Reg 5 What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 4 Implement Risk Controls An employer or self-employed person must, as far as is reasonably practicable, remove or reduce exposure to ergonomic risks by implementing control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of controls. Reg 6 & 7 What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 5 Implement Medical Surveillance A medical surveillance programme needs to be in place to ensure that ergonomic related injuries/diseases are monitored and tracked. This programme must be overseen by an occupational medical practitioner. The surveillance is three part, firstly an initial, periodic and exit health examination. Reg 8 What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 6 Controls and Records The employer should implement a planned maintenance programme for all plant, machinery and systems in order to reduce the ergonomic risks. The programme should include a system for reporting defects by employees and a corrective action plan. Reg 9 & 10 What do you need to know about the new regulations? Here are some key points. 7 Records The employer must ensure that records are kept for; information and training provided to employees, ergonomics risk assessments conducted at the workplace, the results of health examinations conducted on employees; and action plans for the implementation of control measures and the maintenance of such control measures. Reg 10 Duties of persons who may be at risk of exposure to ergonomic risks Reg 4 Any person who is exposed or may be exposed to ergonomic risks must obey any lawful instruction given to him or her by the employer or self-employed person or by anyone authorised by the employer or self-employed person, regarding: (a) the use of measures adopted to control ergonomic risks; (b) cooperation with the employer in determining the employee’s exposure to ergonomic risks; (c) the reporting of potential ergonomic risks to the health and safety representative or the employer; (d) reporting for medical surveillance; and (e) information, instruction and training received Duties of designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers Reg 5 Any designer, manufacturer, importer or supplier of machinery, plant or work systems for use at work must– (a) as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that machinery, plant or work systems optimise human wellbeing and overall system performance; (b) as far as is reasonably practicable, supply machinery, plant or work systems that can be transported, received, stored and handled in a manner that optimises human well-being and overall system performance; (c) provide information, instruction and training as deemed necessary to allow potential users to achieve optimal human well-being and overall system performance during use of machinery, plant or work systems; Duties of designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers Reg 5 (d) as far as is reasonably practicable, install machinery, plant or work systems to achieve optimal human wellbeing and overall system performance; and (e) provide information to potential users on the appropriate maintenance of machinery, plant or work systems to ensure safe operation and use. Ergonomics health and safety technical committee Reg 11 The chief inspector must establish a health and safety Technical Committee (TC) for ergonomics. The duties of the ergonomics health and safety technical committee include; • Advising the chief inspector on matters relating to codes, standards and training requirements in terms of ergonomics or any matter referred to the TC • Making recommendations to the chief inspector on matters applying to the Ergonomics Regulations • Performing any other function of administration for the Ergonomics Regulations Ergonomics Process 1 2 Assess the Risk Conducting an ergonomic assessment is a foundational element of the ergonomics process. Your ergonomic improvement efforts will never get off the ground without being able to effectively assess jobs in your workplace for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors. Plan Improvements The core goal of the ergonomics process is to make changes to your workplace that reduce risk. Making changes at scale requires a significant planning effort that includes prioritizing jobs to be improved, identifying effective improvement ideas, and costjustifying the improvement projects. 3 4 Measure Progress Measurement is an important component of any successful continuous improvement process. High performing ergonomics programs are constantly measured using both leading and lagging indicators. Scale Solutions By establishing a common set of tools to train your workforce, assess risk, plan improvements, measure progress, and design new work processes, you’ll be able to scale ergonomics best practices throughout your organization. Ergonomics Risk Factors Ergonomic risk factors increase musculoskeletal fatigue and introduce barriers to productivity and human performance. Job activities involving any of the ergonomic risk factors below may contribute to or result in an increased risk of strain and injury. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Awkward postures Bending Compression or contact stress Forceful exertions Insufficient rest breaks Lifting Lighting Noise Pushing, pulling Reaching Repetitive motions Static or sustained postures Temperature extremes Vibration Human Musculoskeletal System & Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Your musculoskeletal system includes bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues. They work together to support your body's weight and help you move. Injuries, disease and aging can cause pain, Scale Solutions stiffness and other problems By establishing a common set of tools to train your with movement and function. workforce, assess risk, plan improvements, measure progress, and design new work processes, you’ll be able to scale ergonomics best practices throughout your organization. 4 1. Movement Skeletal muscles pull on the bones causing movements at the joints. Skeletal muscles pull on the soft tissues of the face causing facial expressions. Movement caused by the respiratory muscles enables breathing. 2. Support Muscles of the body wall support the internal organs. As these muscles lose their tone, the internal organs of the abdominal pelvic cavity may bulge outward as seen in some individuals as they age. 3. Protection Skeletal muscles, particularly of the body wall, cushion the body's internal organs (abdominal cavity) from force applied to the exterior of the body. 4. Heat generation Heat is a waste product of muscle metabolism, which helps maintain an internal body temperature of 98.6 F. Shivering is a mechanism of the muscular system that generates heat to warm an overly cooled body. 5. Blood circulation Cardiac muscles aid pumping action of the heart by aiding blood circulation. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. Workrelated musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are conditions in which: 1. The work environment and performance of work contribute significantly to the condition; and/or 2. The condition is made worse or persists longer due to work conditions. Examples of MSDs include: • Sprains, strains, and tears • Back pain • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Hernia Musculoskeletal disorders are associated with high costs to employers such as absenteeism, lost productivity, and increased health care, disability, and worker’s compensation costs. MSD cases are more severe than the average nonfatal injury or illness. Other Causes of Disorders Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Use Incorrect use of DSE or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to problems in • necks • shoulders • backs • arms • wrists and hands • as well as fatigue and eye strain. The causes of health problems may not always be obvious but can often be categorised as • physical (musculoskeletal) problems • visual fatigue • mental stress. Manual Handling Manual handling is responsible for over 30% of injuries at work. Incorrect manual handling techniques can result in: • Back injury and back pain • Tendon and ligament injuries • Musculoskeletal disorders • Hernias • Cuts, burns and broken bones • Slip, trip and fall injuries • Foot injuries Production / Assembly Line Work Assembling small components and/or repetitive handling on a factory production line will have many of the same effects, including: • Back injury and back pain • Eye Strain • Fatigue • Stress OTHER FACTORS IN Other factors that need to be considered in ERGONOMICS include the following: • Lighting • Vibration • Noise • Ventilation • Temperature and Humidity • Space 1. Increased savings • Fewer injuries • More productive and sustainable employees • Fewer workers’ compensation claims “Indirect costs are estimated to be 3-5 times more expensive than the direct costs of a claim.” Benefits 2. Fewer employees experiencing pain • Implementing ergonomic improvements can reduce the risk factors that lead to discomfort. 3. Increased productivity • Ergonomic improvements can reduce the primary risk factors for MSDs, so workers are more efficient, productive, and have greater job satisfaction. 4. Increased morale • Attention to ergonomics can make employees feel valued because they know their employer is making their workplace safer. Benefits 5. Reduced absenteeism • Ergonomics leads to healthy and pain-free workers who are more likely to be engaged and productive. 6. Legislation Requirement Implementing proactive and improvement ergonomics processes presents you with an opportunity to add significant value to your organization. e it v h c c a a o o r r P pp A Conducting an ergonomic risk assessment in response to an injury isn’t a bad thing to do. In fact, it’s what you should do. But that’s a reactive approach, and if you keep doing what you’ve been doing, then you’re going to keep getting what you’ve been getting — injuries. To wage a war on the MSDs at your facility, you’ll need to get out in front of the problem by being proactive. Improvement Process t n e m s e s v e o c r p ro Im P Step 1: Prioritize Jobs for Ergonomic Analysis This prioritized list should be developed by the ergonomics team based on an initial facility tour, review of MSD history and data collected by employee surveys. Step 2: Conduct Ergonomic Analysis This analysis will objectively measure risk for each job in the workplace and help you develop an ergonomic opportunity list. Step 3: Develop an Ergonomic Opportunity List Developing an ergonomic opportunity list allows you to prioritize company resources in order to effectively and efficiently reduce risk by putting the appropriate controls in place. t n e m s e s v e o c r p ro Im P Step 4: Determine Best Solution with Team Approach A multi-disciplinary team should be involved in determining the best controls for implementation. Step 5: Obtain Final Approval and Implement Solution If the improvement requires a significant capital expenditure, cost-justify the solution to gain approval. Step 6: Evaluate the Ergonomic Improvement for Effectiveness Once improvements are in place, close the loop on the project by evaluating the ergonomic improvement and measuring its effectiveness. ASSESSMENT TOOLS • Applying a scientific, evidence-based approach to your ergonomics process is important. • The goal is to identify ergonomic risk factors, quantify then, and then make measurable improvements to the workplace, ensuring that jobs and tasks are within workers’ capabilities and limitations. • The best approach for doing that is to make ergonomics an ongoing process of risk identification and risk reduction based on objective, scientific analysis of your workplace. • There are several assessment tools that we employ in assessing your ergonomics requirements Thank you.
