Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Its not just about injuries!
• The science of designing or adjusting work
by fitting the job to the worker, not the
worker to the job
• Optimizes the effectiveness and productivity
of work systems
Physical
Cognitive
Organizational
• How the body interacts with the workplace
• Concerned with mental processes relating to work • Optimizes organizational structures, policies and processes
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Tissue
Threshold
Work
Demands
Musculoskeletal Disorder – represent
injuries or conditions that develop over
repeated exposure to hazards (cumulative)
Musculoskeletal Injury – includes all
disorders plus acute injuries such as those
attributed to slips/trips/falls, crushes,
lacerations, etc.
•
•
•
•
•
Bones
Joints
Muscles
Ligaments
Tendons
•
•
•
•
•
Cartilage
Bursas
Blood Vessels
Nerves
Discs
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Medical
Costs
Compensation
DIRECT COSTS
Down time
Overhead $ while work Efficiency due to breakup crew disrupted
Breaking in substitute
INDIRECT COSTS
Supervisor time to investigate Loss of production
Failure to meet deadlines
Overtime to make up Loss of good will
production
Damaged equipment
Lost time by fellow workers
Hiring costs
Average cost per claim in BC based on 2007-2011 WCB direct costs
Average Direct Cost of Injury
$6700
(Back Injury)
$9000
(Other Strains)
$14,000
(Tendinitis)
Indirect Costs
X
X
X
4 = $26,800
7 = $46,900
4 = $36,000
7 = $63,000
4 = $70,000
7 = $112000
Total Cost Per Injury
$33,500 ‐ $53,600
$45,000 ‐ $72,000
$84,000 ‐ $126,000
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Discs are the shock absorbers of the spine
 Bulges and herniations occur when bending,
sitting
• Don’t feel pain until
damage reaches outer
edges of the disc
• Can trigger spasms or
“back attacks”
 Overuse of muscle or tendon
tissue resulting in micro-tearing
 Can develop…
• Quickly, as a result of sudden
extreme stress (e.g. lifting 75lb
item); or
• Slowly, and build up over time as a
result of repeated or sustained
smaller stresses (e.g. lifting 10lb
item)
Activities that
increase disc
compression
and cause
microtrauma to
muscles
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Overstretching or tearing of
joint stabilizers
 Commonly a result of
awkward postures and
twisting
Activities that
cause
microtrauma to
ligaments
What do these injuries have in common?
Tendonitis
Tenosynovitis
Epicondylitis
Bursitis
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Activities that cause microtrauma
to tendons and bursae
 Can be compressed, irritated or overstretched
during awkward or static postures
 Typically feel burning, tingling, or radiating pain
 Referred to as the “Syndrome” injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome
Thoracic Outlet
Syndrome
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Activities that cause
microtrauma to nerves or
blood vessels
 Aching or fatigue at during
working hours only
 Symptoms disappear with rest
(overnight or on days off)
 No effects on performance
 No physical signs
 Can persist for weeks or months
(reversible)
 Symptoms start earlier and last longer
 Symptoms may affect sleep
 Performance started to be affected
(especially repetitive work)
 Physical signs may be present
 Loss of function may
persist for
months
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Symptoms persist at rest
 Pain with non-repetitive
movements
 Sleep disturbance common
 Unable to perform light efforts
 Visible signs often present
 Condition may last months to
years and full recovery may not
occur
Precursor to the development of an injury
A result of inadequate blood supply to
transport oxygen to the muscle tissue
during work
If we can control fatigue, we can control
most MSDs
Find the hazards that lead to fatigue
Gas
Spark
Air
Energy
Exhaust
Heat
Glucose
Blood
Oxygen
Energy
Lactic Acid
Heat
(Washington L&I)
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Physical Hazards
Personal Factors
Organizational Hazards
Forceful
Gripping
Lifting
Lowering
Carrying
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
Forceful
Pushing,
Pulling
Awkward Postures
Static Postures
Repetitive
Actions
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 The organization of work
(How work is to be done)
 The organization’s culture
(Psychosocial influences
from the work environment)
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Elevate the worker or lower the object
 Tilt work surfaces
 Use tool extenders
Box re-positioned on side
Tilted Laundry Bins
Spring Loaded Cart
 Easier and safer dispensing of product
 Easier cleaning of pots or kettles
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Use elevated faucet or hose to
fill large pots and reduce
lifting / carrying
 Use ladles or small sauce
pans to empty liquids, soups,
etc. from larger pots
 Use false bottom or plastic
basin in the bottom of sink to
raise work surface
 Place a false bottom (styrofoam blocks or
cardboard box) in container to prevent overfilling
 Avoid pushing down on contents of bag to fit more
garbage in (less air, more suction)
 Use barrels designed with
lift vents or drill holes in the
sides or bottom of the container
 Heavy items stored in
power zone (between
knees and chest)
 Use flow racks and
roller racks
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Avoid
• single and dual finger
activations; extend handle to
allow whole hand activation
• replace grips with ridges;
• grips that force wrists into
non-neutral positions;
reposition control
mechanism or rotate handle
 Use lightweight telescopic handles
with adjustable angle heads
 Consider dusting gloves for
dusting of objects to reduce
gripping of cloth
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Ergonomics for the Hospitality and Tourism Industy
 Low impact control (but still necessary)
 Organizations needs to recognize that lifting is a
skill and not everyone has the skills!
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1-888-932-7955
info@worksmart.ca
mharnett@worksmart.ca
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