1 ISE Ch. 22 Managing an Ergonomics Program History of Ergonomics Programs  1993: OSHA Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants  1990s: General Duty Clause (5a-1) citations  National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health hazard evaluations  2000: OSHA Ergonomic Program Standard

2 ISE Ch. 22 Development of Ergonomic Standards 2001: Ergonomic Program Standard rescinded Currently there is no federal ergonomics standard. OSHA continues to apply General Duty Clause. Some states have workplace ergonomics standards. ANSI provides a voluntary standard (Management of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)

3 ISE Ch. 22 The Ergonomics Program as a System System Goals:  To reduce or eliminate potential for disorders.  To provide treatment to reduce effects of disorders if they occur. Responsibilities depend on size of facility and manufacturing vs service. Activities divide into:  Human resources  Engineering and operations management  Workers Worker safety, health, comfort, & productivity EngineeringManagement Human ResourcesWorkers

4 ISE Ch. 22 System Components in Detail Engineering  Designing, installing, and maintaining workplace layout, work methods, tools, and equipment.  Process engineering  Maintenance  Product engineering Management  Upper management sets goals and commits resources.  Production supervisors: Have familiarity with process and operators Are first to see problems Have a direct interest in efficiency and health

5 ISE Ch. 22 System Components (cont.) Human Resource Activities  Collecting and maintaining employee information  Occupational safety  Medical  Worker Compensation insurance Workers  Are directly affected by ergonomics programs.  Should be included in problem-solving efforts.  Can suggest process improvements.  Can detect and report symptoms of disorders early.

6 ISE Ch. 22 Program Elements Basic goal of all programs - provide an effective work environment that …  reduces unnecessary effort fatigue, & potential for musculoskeletal disorders  results in increased worker efficiency All programs should include some form of all of the elements discussed in the next 8 pages.  Actual implementation depends on size and characteristics of organization.  See, for example, box 22.1, pg. 419

7 ISE Ch. 22 Specifics of Program Elements Policies and Procedures Document  Provides formal documentation to fulfill OSHA requirements.  Communicates authority and accountability.  Documents allocation of resources.  May document improvements and accomplishments.  See Fig 22.1, pg 420 for sample contents Q: Review the company you “created” as part of the macroergonomics discussion …

8 ISE Ch. 22 Ergonomics Committee  Separate from the safety committee.  Representation from production, safety, medical, human resources, maintenance, and engineering.  Responsibilities include: Assist in prioritizing recommendations. Maintain documentation. Ensure periodic reviews of the ergonomics effort. Q: Discuss how your company will incorporate documentation & an ergonomics committee …

9 ISE Ch. 22 Proactive Measures  Integrate ergonomics into the workplace at the early stages of process design.  Engineers must understand ergonomic implications of designs.  Organizations can provide feedback to vendors. Worker Involvement  Formal (ergonomics committee) & informal (suggestion system) Can suggest improvements and point out hazards.  Provide feedback to the worker who makes a suggestion. Workers can help document effects of modifications. Q: What proactive measures can you take?

10 ISE Ch. 22 Identification of Problem Jobs Through Surveillance  Passive health surveillance Reviews of OSHA 300 logs (fig or Reviews of Workers Compensation insurance files  Active health surveillance Ergonomics surveys of workers

11 ISE Ch. 22 Identification of Problem Jobs Through Job-Site Analysis  Uses observations, interviews, and measurements to address existing operations  Goal - make recommendations to improve process as a whole  Approaches Mathematical models (e.g., NIOSH lifting equations) Checklists  Qualitative or quantitative  Can save time, be used without significant technical understanding.  USE WITH CARE! (Can misrepresent task requirements.) Narrative

12 ISE Ch. 22 Methods of controlling WMSDs (work-related musculoskeletal disorders)  Administrative controls structuring workers’ jobs to reduce exposure to hazards  Engineering controls modifying workplace design, equipment, and tools  Work-practice controls addressing correct methods of performing tasks Q: What controls will you institute?

13 ISE Ch. 22 Training  Basic categories: 1. Signs and symptoms that indicate MSD might be developing 2. Job-related risk factors associated with risk of disorders 3. Procedures for addressing disorders, if they occur  Emphasis depends on audience Affected workers Production management Engineering & maintenance Health care providers Ergonomics committee

14 ISE Ch. 22 Medical Management  Prevention of disorders or disabilities through early detection and treatment.  Have individual workers understand early symptoms and report when they occur.  Have health care providers tour the facility and understand task characteristics. Document and Evaluate the Program  Periodically review documentation.  Keep an ergonomics casebook.  Prioritize proposed modifications.  Follow up and evaluate to determine effectiveness of modifications.