Ergonomics Ergonomics

Definition Definition “Ergon” = Work “nomics” = Study of The applied science of equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.

Scope of Ergonomic Injuries Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are health disorders arising from repeated biomechanical stress to the hands, wrist, elbows, shoulders, neck, back Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are health disorders arising from repeated biomechanical stress to the hands, wrist, elbows, shoulders, neck, back Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect soft tissue of the body in areas like the neck, back, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, and fingers. These include nerves, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect soft tissue of the body in areas like the neck, back, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, and fingers. These include nerves, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles.

Goals of Ergonomics in the Workplace Reduce the risk of CTD Reduce the risk of CTD Increase productivity Increase productivity Increase safety Increase safety Improve quality of work Improve quality of work Decrease fatigue and errors Decrease fatigue and errors

Cumulative Trauma Disorders - Statistics Approximately 24% of all workplace injuries are back injuries. Approximately 24% of all workplace injuries are back injuries. Back injuries cost US Business $36 Billion per year. Back injuries cost US Business $36 Billion per year.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders 100% Fatigue Discomfort Pain Injury Performance Time

Most Common CTD Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Low Back Pain Low Back Pain

Risk Factors Force: the amount of physical effort required to maintain control of equipment or tools, or to perform a task such as heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying Force: the amount of physical effort required to maintain control of equipment or tools, or to perform a task such as heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying Repetition: performing the same motion or series of motions continually or frequently for an extended period of time with little variation such as prolonged typing, assembling components, and repetitive hand tool usage Repetition: performing the same motion or series of motions continually or frequently for an extended period of time with little variation such as prolonged typing, assembling components, and repetitive hand tool usage

Risk Factors cont. Awkward postures: refers to positions of the body that significantly deviate from the neutral position while performing job tasks such as working over-head, extended reaching, twisting, squatting, or kneeling Awkward postures: refers to positions of the body that significantly deviate from the neutral position while performing job tasks such as working over-head, extended reaching, twisting, squatting, or kneeling Static postures: refer to holding a fixed position or posture such as gripping tools that can’t be set down, standing in one place for prolonged periods Static postures: refer to holding a fixed position or posture such as gripping tools that can’t be set down, standing in one place for prolonged periods

Risk Factors cont. Contact stress: results from occasional, repeated, or continuous contact between sensitive body tissues and hard or sharp objects like resting the wrist on the edge of a desk, or tool handles pressing into the palms Contact stress: results from occasional, repeated, or continuous contact between sensitive body tissues and hard or sharp objects like resting the wrist on the edge of a desk, or tool handles pressing into the palms

Age-Related Changes Reaction time lengthens Reaction time lengthens Workload capacity decreases Workload capacity decreases Temperature related discomfort increases Temperature related discomfort increases Visual capabilities decrease Visual capabilities decrease

Hand Force A power grip can be 5 times stronger than a pinch grip = 10 lbs. 2 lbs. Takes 4.6 lbs. of force

Wrist Bent

Tool Use Working with bent wrists decreases grip strength Use tools that let you keep your wrist straight Handles get smaller, but hand does not

Frequent, Awkward, or Heavy Lifting

Repetitive Motion

Awkward Positions

Back Bent More Than 30 Degrees

Neck Bent More Than 30 degrees Shortened muscles compress nerve

Hands Over Head or Elbows Above Shoulders

Recent History Recent History MSDs represent over half of all rated military disabilities and over one third of all reported civilian injuries and illnesses within the Marine Corps MSDs represent over half of all rated military disabilities and over one third of all reported civilian injuries and illnesses within the Marine Corps In recent years there has been an increase in reporting MSDs for Marine Corps personnel which can be attributed to In recent years there has been an increase in reporting MSDs for Marine Corps personnel which can be attributed to –Changes in work processes and work center risks –Advanced information technology and training have increased awareness

Management Commitment and Personnel Involvement A partnership between all working levels is essential to prevent MSDs and reduce the risk in all workplaces A partnership between all working levels is essential to prevent MSDs and reduce the risk in all workplaces –Management commitment provide the organizational resources and motivation to implement a strong ergo program –Personnel involvement is essential for identifying risks and developing effective abatement plans

Hazard Prevention and Control Eliminate, reduce, or control the presence of risk factors Eliminate, reduce, or control the presence of risk factors –Engineering controls –Administrative controls –PPE DoD doesn’t recognize back belts as or wrist splints as PPE… they are considered medical appliances DoD doesn’t recognize back belts as or wrist splints as PPE… they are considered medical appliances

Engineering Controls Engineering Controls Engineering controls or techniques are the preferred mechanism for controlling ergonomic hazards Engineering controls or techniques are the preferred mechanism for controlling ergonomic hazards This may entail redesigning the work station, work methods, and tools to reduce the demands of the job, such as exertion, repetition, and awkward positions This may entail redesigning the work station, work methods, and tools to reduce the demands of the job, such as exertion, repetition, and awkward positions

Administrative Controls Controls Controls Rotating personnel to jobs with dissimilar physical requirementsRotating personnel to jobs with dissimilar physical requirements Establishing work/rest schedulesEstablishing work/rest schedules Training personnel to use appropriate work methods when engineering controls are not feasibleTraining personnel to use appropriate work methods when engineering controls are not feasible

Work Station Design Workstations must be easily adjustable to accommodate the worker performing the task

Training Training should enable each person to recognize risk factors and understand procedures used to minimize the risks Training should enable each person to recognize risk factors and understand procedures used to minimize the risks Refresher training should be provided annually and retraining should be done when personnel are assigned to a new job with different risks, or new risks are discovered Refresher training should be provided annually and retraining should be done when personnel are assigned to a new job with different risks, or new risks are discovered

Back Injury Training Anatomy and physiology to explain how the back works Anatomy and physiology to explain how the back works Biomechanics of lifting Biomechanics of lifting Weight control Weight control How to avoid back injuries How to avoid back injuries Physical fitness Physical fitness

Other methods to reduce the potential of back injury.

Standing Posture Keep your spinal column aligned in its natural curves Keep your spinal column aligned in its natural curves Prop one foot up on a stool to reduce stress in your lower back Prop one foot up on a stool to reduce stress in your lower back

Shift and Stretch Shift your posture often Shift your posture often Stretch frequently throughout the day Stretch frequently throughout the day Keep your body flexible (not rigid or fixed) Keep your body flexible (not rigid or fixed) Don’t force your body to conform to its workspace Don’t force your body to conform to its workspace

Push not Pull Can you slide it instead of lifting it ? Can you slide it instead of lifting it ?

Use Lifting Devices Use proper equipment Use proper equipment –Hand trucks –Forklifts –Dollies –Use gloves if needed

Stretch and be Ready Have you stretched your muscles or warmed up before lifting Have you stretched your muscles or warmed up before lifting Are you wearing slip resistant shoes Are you wearing slip resistant shoes Have you cleared a pathway before you move the item Have you cleared a pathway before you move the item

Lift With Your Legs Plant your feet firmly - get a stable base Plant your feet firmly - get a stable base Bend at your knees - not your waist Bend at your knees - not your waist Tighten your abdominal muscles to Tighten your abdominal muscles to support your spine support your spine Get a good grip - use both hands Get a good grip - use both hands Keep the load close to your body Keep the load close to your body Use your leg muscles as you lift Use your leg muscles as you lift Keep your back upright, keep it in its natural posture Keep your back upright, keep it in its natural posture Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking

Supervisors Responsibilities Supervisors s hall receive sufficient training on ergo issues to effectively carry out their responsibilities Supervisors s hall receive sufficient training on ergo issues to effectively carry out their responsibilities Ensure personnel receive training Ensure personnel receive training Request assistance for managing risk factors Request assistance for managing risk factors

QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS?

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES Certificate of Training This is to certify that HAS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED Ergonomics Online Training at Camp Pendleton, California Date Type name here Employee ID # Type date here Type here