Skilled Crafts & Labor Ergonomics The Art & Science of Fitting the Work to the Person Click for NEXT

Who? Who? Plant, Facilities, Grounds, & Similar Operations –Dining Services –Carpenters –Painters –Landscaping –Electricians –Plumbers –Custodians –Shipping/Receiving Bookstore Library –And More…. Click for NEXT

Why Ergonomics ? To Prevent disorders of the soft-tissues such as muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, & joints. Common Disorders: Back Strain/Sprain Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tendonitis …and others Click for NEXT

Numbness Burning Pain/Aching Tingling Cramping StiffnessSymptoms Tightness Decreased range of motion Deformity Decreased strength Loss of function NEXT If you experience these symptoms, you may want to request additional ergonomic assistance.

Key Risk Factors Repetition Posture Force + Vibration NEXT

Risk Factors Each risk factor is significant; however, discomfort or injury is more likely to develop when two or more of these factors are combined And the risk exposure is sustained over time. NEXT

Ergonomic Assessment Additional Benefits: Improve comfort Decrease fatigue Enhance job satisfaction Increase productivity Extend work life Financial Savings by avoiding time away from work Protect enjoyment of many life activities NEXT

Ergonomic Assessment The following slides provide information intended to help you identify potential risk factors and to give you ideas to help improve the ergonomics of your work activities. Use the ergonomic assessment form provided on the webpage to guide your through assessing and improving your physical work activities. NEXT

Risk Factors The Goal: To help you identify, reduce, eliminate, or safely manage potential risk factors in your work environment. Force Vibration Posture Repetition Time NEXT

Identify Awkward Postures Elbows above shoulders Bent Back or Neck Bent Wrists Squatting or Kneeling NEXT

Minimize Overhead reaching Consider Options to: Lower work Use mirrors or magnifiers Relocate to work bench Alternate positions/tasks to lessen time spent in with elbows above the shoulders. Raise WorkerExtend Tools NEXT

Minimize Neck & Back Angles Adjustable stands Ergo Design NEXT

Minimize Kneeling & Squatting Alternate Positions Raise Work Extend Tools NEXT

Minimize Awkward Hand Positions Ergo Knife Electric deli slicerArticulating Power Tools Consider handle design and operational needs when purchasing tools and equipment NEXT

Highly Repetitive Motion Workers repeat same motion every few seconds for extended periods: –neck –shoulders –elbows –wrists –hands NEXT

Steps to reduce repetitive motion: Order materials – Precut, pre-drilled, pre-shaped to maximum extent possible. Mechanize - Use powered tools for large, highly repetitive projects. Vary tasks – Perform repetitive tasks in several small time blocks rather than all at once; perform dissimilar tasks in between. Vary methods– Periodically switch process flow, switch tools, switch positions, switch hands to perform the same task. Minimize Repetitive Motions Powered tools NEXT

High Force Pinching Material handling Static Loading Gripping NEXT

Eliminate awkward positions Use mechanical advantage Reduce weight of tool or object Redesign tool/user interface Use Two Hands /Alternate Hands Sharp, well-maintained tools Alternate Positions/Tasks Suspend Tools Job Share Look at Material Handling Alternatives Minimize High Forces / Pressures NEXT

Minimize High Forces Material Grabbers Enlarge & Pad Handles Suspend Tools Right tool for Job NEXT

Where it ALL Comes Together Manual Material Handling NEXT

Manual Handling Manual handling is transporting or supporting a load by hands or bodily force. Lifting Carrying Putting down Pushing Pulling Moving Supporting NEXT

The spine is has three natural curves designed to keep it aligned. Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Lifting NEXT PRESERVE YOUR CURVES !!

Lifting Techniques –Wear supportive shoes with traction. –Test the load to see if you can handle it safely—if not, get help from a co-worker or use mechanical aids. –Keep a wide stance and solid footing. –To improve balance, keep your heels down and turn your feet slightly out. –Warm-up. NEXT

Lifting Techniques –Tighten your stomach muscles. –Get a good grasp on the load. –Keep the load close to your body. –Keep your head up and trunk tall to preserve your curves. –Lift steadily with your legs, not your back. –Point your feet in the direction of the move, don’t twist. –Set the load down by squatting down and keeping the spine aligned. NEXT

“Hug” the load Move your body as a single unit Take several steps to turn your body in the direction you want to move. Turning with a Load NEXT Follow Your Feet NEVER Lead with the Load

Get close to the load Lift with Large Leg Muscles Bend your knees - not your back! Putting it Together …. NEXT

Get Help Consider Equipment Putting it Together…. NEXT

Vibration Especially trigger-activated or those requiring high hand force In cold and damp conditions With upadded, metal handles/grips With health conditions or habits that reduce blood flow such as NEXT Extended use of powered equipment can present risks to soft tissues, especially of the hands. Consider time spent working with vibrating tools:

Minimize Vibration Regular Maintenance Keep wrist & elbow in a "neutral" position Keep hands and rest of body warm Use two-handed grips (where possible) Balancers, isolators, damping material Tool Selection –low-vibration tools –Battery rather than pneumatic power –High power to weight ratio –High friction, contoured handles –Low torque w/cutoff rather than slip-clutch NEXT

Time – Frequency, Duration & Recovery Minimize key risk factors And Balance time spent exposed to risks with adequate recovery time. NEXT

Keep in Mind: No “One Right Way” to achieve ergonomically healthy work postures and practices. Stay aware of risk factors and consider options to eliminate, reduce, or safely manage them. Adjusting one aspect of your work activity will affect other aspects. For example, switching from a hand tool to a power tool lessens the force and repetition of the job, but increases exposure to vibration. Consider these impacts when making changes. NEXT

Early Intervention is Critical Early Response Gains Opportunity Reduce/Eliminate risks Prevent Pain Avoid or minimize need for medical treatment Happier employees Higher productivity Financial Savings by avoiding time away from work NEXT

Consult additional resources on this website. Contact your Wellness Coordinator for additional assistance and resources Questions or Concerns? Use the ergonomic assessment tool provided on the website to evaluate your work activities END