Lubing Your Levers and Gears Ergonomics 101 © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Objectives  Recognize ergonomic basics  Demonstrate proper lifting/standing/sitting positions  Identify employee behaviors/techniques that may lead to injury  Recognize early warning signs of injury  Demonstrate stretching techniques for prevention © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Ergonomics Defined  Ergonomics is the science of designing the environment to meet the humans needs. Safety Comfort Ease of Use Productivity/ performance © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Ergonomic Definitions  Engineering Control- Items or methods used at the workstation to reduce risk of injury  Administrative Control- Other modifications that include training, job rotation, job enlargement  Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)- A range of conditions that affect the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments or nerves © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Ergonomics at ***  Customize to highlight issues at a specific company © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Manufacturing Ergonomics  Job requirements/ job station  Changing employee technique  Recognize signs and symptoms of injury early  Take preventive measures © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

The Job is the Job  Sometimes change isn’t possible  Consider administrative controls Job rotation Job enlargement Frequent breaks © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Changing Employee Technique  Body posture  Work technique Retraining is key  Provide inexpensive supports © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Proper Posture  Freeze!  Assess how you are sitting right now  Proper seating should have: Back support Foot support Stable seating Arms rests as applicable © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Proper Sitting Posture © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Issues at ****  What can we do to minimize the strain on her back?  Insert image of employee working with bad posture © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Proper Standing Posture  Maintain 3 curves in spine (neck, chest, lower back)  Poor alignment will lead to pain Can lead to chronic problems  Poor posture often associated with weak back or stomach muscles Posture gets worse throughout the day as fatigue sets in © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Standing Posture Test  Stand against a wall with feet 2-4 inches away  Your head, upper back and rear end should touch the wall  Slide your hand behind your back Just fits? Perfect Too tight? Relax stomach muscles Too loose? Tighten stomach muscles  Now walk away… © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Issues at ****  What can we do to reduce her risk of injury?  Insert image © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Change Employee Work Technique  Employees do not purposely use bad technique  Bad technique can lead to injury  Consider: Monthly observations of habits Quarterly or bi-annually mini refresher sessions Mentoring program for new hires © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Issues at ****  What can we do to reduce her risk of injury?  Insert image © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Reducing Risk  Offer engineering controls  Consider: Step stools to reduce fatigue Proper seating (foot rests if high chairs) Placing equipment/product on stools to reduce bending Personal protective equipment © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Recognizing Signs/Symptoms  Seek treatment early! Reduced chronic injury Better outcomes  Communicating with your employees Encourage visit to primary care physician Don’t assume Workers Compensation case © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMI) © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Work Related Causes of RMI  Repetition  Speed of work  Duration of exposure  Pincer grip  Cold temperature  Wrist, elbow or shoulder deviations © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Repetitive Motion Injuries  Nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis)  Tendons (tendonitis) © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  Compression of the main nerve in the wrist  Due to thickening tendons in the carpal tunnel © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  Signs/Symptoms Numbness of index, middle and ring finger Nocturnal numbness prior to other symptoms Pain or weakness reported occasionally Usually made worse by performing repetitive movements, forceful grip, or static use of the hands  Must be treated to avoid long term damage © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis  Thickening of the tendon sheath below the thumb.  Limits thumb function © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis  Sign/Symptoms Pain  Often throbbing or stabbing Stiffness in thumb joint Onset is usually gradual  This condition is hard to treat in advanced cases © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)  Irritation or inflammation of tendons near the elbow joint  Can be medial or lateral © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Epicondylitis  Sign/Symptoms Pain at elbow Pain does not radiate or spread Usually no numbness © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Back Injuries and Pain  Cost the most money to treat  Only 10-15% of cases have a known cause  Most episodes are short lived  Can be caused by damage to: Muscles Tendons Intervertebral discs © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Back Injury and Pain  Work related causes include: Poor or unusual posture Lifting heavy loads Pushing or pulling loads Strains and sprains from quick movement Bending, stretching, reaching © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Personal Risk Factors for Injury  Obesity  Cigarettes  Lack of Exercise  Chronic disease High blood pressure Diabetes © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

An Ounce of Prevention…  Communicate awareness  Encourage exercises Stretching Strengthening  Promote healthy behaviors © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Communication  Make awareness a priority  Highlight proper form or technique at meetings  Provide fact sheets or posters as reminders  Encourage employees to address issues early © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Encourage Exercises  Stretching to keep muscles and tendons flexible  Strengthening to build up endurance © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Stretching Exercises  Hand/wrist stretches  Shoulder stretches  Back stretches © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Strengthening Exercises  Hand exercises  Stomach exercises  Back exercises  Encourage use of the gym discount! © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Promote Healthy Behaviors  Healthy behaviors reduce risk of injury and illness  Encourage annual physician visits  Promote exercise  Promote smoking cessation © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Applying Your Knowledge Demo other poor lifting/reaching etc behaviors © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Summary  Ergonomics “fits” the job to the person  Issues can be addressed early to reduce chronic or severe ailments  Prevention is possible Engineering controls Administrative controls © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Acknowledgements  This program was designed by: Allison Bryan MS Certified Health Education Specialist This product was funded by a grant awarded under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use only. © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation