Leveraging Technology for Successful Ergonomics Deployments in Municipalities Presented by: Steve Meyers, CIH, CSP EORM Presented by: Steve Meyers, CIH, CSP EORM

Introduction  Ergonomics Issues Fall into Two Distinct Areas: OfficeNon-Office

Why Leverage Technology?  Many office ergonomic issues are relatively easy to fix compared to non-office tasks.  Companies spend too much time/effort solving office ergonomic issues and not enough on non- office tasks.  Majority of serious ergonomic injuries come from non-office related tasks.  Using technology to manage the majority of office ergonomic issues creates more time to devote to non-office ergonomic issues.

Some Background Data  EORM Internal Study Data: –Most office ergonomic evaluations were taking approximately 1 hour to complete. –The majority of recommendations were off-the-shelf solutions with multiple vendors. –Customer is left with simple solutions that had anywhere from 15 to 20 data points (vendors and products) to review.

Outcome of Study  Too much time was spent to complete assessment.  Solutions were typically off-the-self.  Customers had difficulty reviewing all solutions presented.  What about follow up?

Leveraging Technology Approach –Use effective Risk assessment tools in the office –Effective improvement solutions that solve know problems –Develop assessment media –Demonstrate measurable results in risk, time and cost reduction

Effective Risk Management  Accepted strategy for Occupational Health & Safety is Risk Management: –Recognition (Observation), –Evaluation (Measure), –Control (Fix), –Anticipation of workplace hazards (Prevent)

Effective Risk Management  Recognition tools need to be quick and easy to use. Answers the question: “Do I have a potential problem?”

Do I have a Potential Problem?

START System to Assign Risk Thresholds  START has two components: –Workstation Evaluation Section  Physical Attribute Questions –Risk Screening Tool  Risk Measuring Tool

Effective Risk Management Tools System To Assign Risk Threshold (START)

Site Office Ergo Risk Map

Leveraging Technology Approach –Use effective Risk assessment tools in the office –Effective improvement solutions that solve know problems –Develop assessment media –Demonstrate measurable results in risk, time and cost reduction

What is the Problem?

START Form  Phone & Lighting

Leveraging Technology Approach –Use effective Risk assessment tools in the office –Effective improvement solutions that solve know problems –Develop assessment media –Demonstrate measurable results in risk, time and cost reduction

Paper Media  Strength –Consistent approach to managing ergonomic risk in the office  Weakness –Requires reproduction time –Difficult to perform mass surveys –Increase time to compile data –Solutions set needs to looked up after assessments have been completed

Palm Media  Strength –Consistent approach to managing ergonomic risk in the office –Only enter data in once –Solution set can be part of program –Camera and video capturing  Weakness –Difficult to perform mass surveys –Requires synching of data to download results

Personal Home Page Media  Strength –Consistent approach to managing ergonomic risk in the office –Only enter data in once –Solution set can be part of program –Mass assessments can be performed in short amount of time  Weakness –Interaction with customer

Leveraging Technology Approach –Use effective Risk assessment tools in the office –Effective improvement solutions that solve know problems –Develop assessment media –Demonstrate measurable results in risk, time and cost reduction

What is the Problem?

Measure (How bad is it?) START: 50% neck risk factors are present

START Form  Phone & Lighting

Did Solution Solve the Problem?

Results for Headset Solution 18% reduction in ergonomic risk

Scoring Physical Attribute Questions

Cost to Perform 1,000 Evaluations  Paper Method with Interview Costs –Perform assessment: 1,000 = $32,500 –Perform follow up: 250 $32.50/hr = $8,125 –Total for one year = 1,250 hours or $40,625 in labor costs (does not include employee time to participate)  Personal Home Page Method –Total time for one year: 15 min/assessment = 250 hours –Software = $25,000 (does not include employee time to participate)

Conclusions  Leveraging technology has the following benefits: –Internalizes the tools, methods and skills to complete office ergonomic assessments freeing up time to work on difficult non-office ergonomic issues –Allows for mass evaluations to be completed very quickly so that ergonomic needs can be prioritized from high to low. –Pre-approved solutions are tied to ergonomic issues to reduce risk

Conclusions  Leveraging technology has the following benefits: –Can reduce the cost associated with performing one-on-one evaluations. –Creates a consistency approach to the evaluation, solutions and follow up –Employees learn about their work environment (physical attributes) and how to make improvements –Extends ergonomic assessment methods to remote or at home offices