2. ERGONOMICS Presented by: JEFFREY E. FERNANDEZ, PhD, PE, CPE and ROBERT MARLEY, PhD, CPE

3. Definition and Background ERGONOMICS is from the Greek words ergos meaning "work" and nomos meaning "laws"; therefore, we have the laws of work.

4. Definition and Background ERGONOMICS is defined as the design of the workplace, equipment, machine, tool, product, environment and system, taking into consideration human's - physical -physiological -biomechanical -psychological capabilities.

8. Definition and Background Other terms used to describe similar efforts are: -Human Factors -Human Factors Engineering -Human Engineering -Engineering Psychology -FITTING THE TASK TO THE INDIVIDUAL

9. Definition and Background The application of ergonomic principles can result in: increased productivity improved health and safety increased job satisfaction increased work quality lower worker turnover lower lost time at work lower worker's compensation claims less likelihood of OSHA fines

10. WMSDs account for 34% of all lost-workday injuries and illnesses, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There were 647,000 lost workday WMSDs reported in 1996 in U.S. WMSDs account for $1 of every $3 spent for workers' compensation in U.S. WMSDs each year account for more than $15-$20 billion in workers' compensation costs. Total costs add up to as much as $60 billion in U.S. Definition and Background

11. The average cost of back injury without surgery is $9,000. The average cost of back injury with surgery is $30,000. The average cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without surgery is $6,000. The average cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with surgery is $20,000. The total cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is $100,000 (CTD News).

12. Definition and Background PROACTIVE ERGONOMICS Changes are made before injuries occur REACTIVE ERGONOMICS Changes are made after injuries occur

14. Definition and Background To determine if equipment, tool or device is ergonomically designed, we should ask three questions: 1. Who (human) was it designed for? 2. What task was it designed for? 3. What environment was it designed to function within?

15. Definition and Background Ergonomic solutions need not be expensive. These solutions can be: “hi-tech” “low-tech” “no-tech”

16. Diagrams of measurements

18. Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)

19. Physical injuries that develop gradually over a period of time as a result of repeated biomechanical and physiological stresses on a specific body part. Definition

20. Terms synonymous with CTDs Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) Repetitive trauma disorders Wear and tear disorders Overuse Syndrome Repeated trauma illnesses (RTIs)

21. Definition Number of CTD Cases, US Private Industry, 1982-97 Source: BLS, U.S. Department of Labor

22. Types of CTDs 1. Tendon disorders: Tendinitis Tenosynovitis Ganglionic cyst Trigger fingers De Quervain's disease

23. Types of CTDs 2. Nerve disorders: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Guyon Tunnel Syndrome Cubital Tunnel Syndrome 3. Neurovascular disorders: Vibration Syndrome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

24. Occupational risk factors for CTDs 1. Awkward postures 2. Excessive manual force 3. High repetition or frequency 4. Extended task duration/ Inadequate rest

25. Occupational risk factors for CTDs ForceRepetitionPostureInadequate Rest

26. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) CTS is generally attributed to compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel.

27. Carpal tunnel cross section

28. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms of CTS Weakness, pain, burning, numbness or tingling in hands and wrists a. often at night or at rest b. in severe cases pain may spread as far as the shoulder Thenar atrophy Reduced grip strength and range of motion

29. Areas typically affected by CTS

30. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis of CTS Tinel's sign Phalen's test Nerve impulse conduction velocity

31. Phalen's Test

32. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Occupational risk factors for CTS 1. Awkward posture of the wrist 2. Excessive manual force applied to the wrist 3. High repetition or frequency 4. Extended task duration 5. Vibration of equipment 6. Cold temperatures 7. Use of the pinch grip

33. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Health & non-occupational risk factors for CTS 1. Age 2. Gender 3. Gynecological surgery 4. Menopause 5. Pregnancy 6. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) 7. Family history 8. Trauma and medication 9. Vitamin B6 deficiency 10. Hobbies

34. Manual Material Handling (MMH)

35. Manual Material Handling (MMH) activities produce the single largest workers' compensation injuries in the U.S. industry 400,000 workers face disabling back injuries every year In 1990, back injury cost industry $38.2 billion in workers' compensation (Accident Facts, 1993 Edition) Manual Material Handling (MMH)

36. Low back injuries accounted for 170 million lost workdays each year. In 1993, low back pain cost Liberty Mutual Insurance $8,321 per incident, and $1 billion dollars per year.

37. Manual Material Handling consists of the following activities: 1. Lifting 2. Lowering 3. Pushing 4. Pulling 5. Carrying 6. Holding

39. Occupational risk factors for lifting 1. Starting vertical height of lift 2. Ending vertical height of lift 3. Starting horizontal position of lift 4. Ending horizontal position of lift 5. Frequency of lifting 6. Degree of twisting 7. Duration of shift 8. Type of handles or coupling 9. Weight of load

42. Risk of MMH injuries can be reduced by job design. This includes: 1. Eliminate the need for MMH 2. Decrease job demands 3. Minimize stressful body movements

43. NIOSH Lifting Guide (1991) Variables - Starting vertical height - Ending vertical height - Starting horizontal position - Ending horizontal position

44. NIOSH Lifting Guide (1991) - Frequency of lifting - Duration - Twisting - Coupling - Weight - Lifting Index (LI) LI > 1.00  unacceptable LI <=1.00  acceptable

45. Mital, Nicholson, and Ayoub (1997) Pushing Pulling Carrying Lifting Holding Unusual postures - Lifting, pushing, pulling

46. Principles Of Workplace Design

47. - Neutral Posture - Elbow Height - Work Area NEWNEW

48. Neutral Posture Work in the neutral posture or as close to the neutral posture as possible. Do not raise your shoulders or elbows regularly. Do not bend your back or neck regularly.

54. Elbow Height The work-surface should be set at elbow height for work such as small assembly. The work-surface should be set above elbow height for precision work. The work-surface should be set below elbow height for manual work. The work-surface height will differ from individual to individual.

58. Work Area Work within your work area (or within reach) so as to reduce undue fatigue.

60. Controls or Changes 1. Engineering controls workstation design/redesign hand tool design fixture design 2. Administrative controls training worker selection work pace/frequency 3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) safety glasses hard hats back belts and wrist splints are NOT PPE's

61. Demonstration

62. THANK YOU