1. Industrial Ergonomics Awareness Training

2. Ergonomics
Represents approximately > 33% of all industrial injury & illnesses
Represents approximately > 50% of all injury & illness related costs
Estimated global cost of > $15 Million/ yr for Eaton
Significant impact on productivity
Significant impact on quality of life

3. Ergonomics Objectives
Eliminate extra effort
Optimize the relationship between the worker and the workstation to promote efficiency and minimize risk

4. Training Overview Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Signs and symptoms, Types, Treatment
Ergonomic (MSD) Risk Factors
High effort level (Force and Posture), Duration of effort, Repetition of effort, Other
Your Role in Ergonomics
Controls and Administrative Pointers

5. The Musculoskeletal System
Comprises the parts of the body used to perform work:
Muscles
Bones
Tendons
Ligaments
Bones, etc.

6. What are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)?
tendons
muscles
bones (skeleton)
other connective tissues
“Disorders” =
problems (injuries/illnesses)
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries/ illnesses of the musculoskeletal system.
“MSDs are injuries and illnesses that can result over time, relatively short periods of time, or in some cases from a single incident.”

7. Progression to MSDs Unnecessary Effort Fatigue Accumulated Fatigue
Discomfort
Pain
MSD Occurrence
3-4 days
7-10 days

8. What are some Signs and Symptoms of MSDs?
Decreased range of motion
Deformity
Decreased grip strength
Swelling or inflammation
Numbness
Burning
Pain
Tingling
Cramping
Stiffness

9. General Types of MSD’s Strains – overstretch/ tear of muscles
Sprains – overstretch/ tear of ligaments
Tendonitis - inflammation of tendons
Tenosynovitis - inflammation of tendon & sheath
Bursitis - inflammation of the bursa in joints
Arthritis - inflammation of various joint structures
Myofacitis - inflammation of the muscle or sheath
Notice many of the terms end with “it is”, which means “swelling”.
Will address CTS in greater detail on the next slide.
Tenosynovitis - A good example is an insulated wire. The insulation is the sheath and the wire is the tendon.
Epicondylitis - Another name for tennis elbow. Got it’s name because the tendons attach to a part of the elbow called the epicondyl.
All these MSD’s are caused by over-exertion, awkward positions, and repetitive motion.

10. The Back Bulging Disc
The “ bulging” disc pushes on the spinal chord causing symptoms that may appear in the legs and feet.

11. The Shoulder . . . “Rotator Cuff Strain” or shoulder structure
and tissues
including:
The shoulder is also effected to a large degree especially during manual handling and tool use.

12. And the Hand / Arm / Wrist. . .
The hands/wrists/arms are used during almost all jobs and work tasks.
Tendonitis or “Tennis elbow,”
And “Golfer’s Elbow”
The hand is generally where all work begins.

13. Specific Hand / Wrist issues . . .
Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Compression of median nerve
Inflammation of the tendon

14. What are the Risk Factors for MSDs?
Heavy effort levels such as lifting, pushing, pulling, pinching, etc.
Awkward postures and high Force requirements contribute to high effort levels.

15. What are the Risk Factors for MSDs?
Repetition or efforts per time of the same activity.

16. What are the Risk Factors for MSDs?
Continuous Time of Effort Level or the duration of time the muscle is contracted.

17. What are the Risk Factors for MSDs?
Type of activity including:
Vibration can reduce circulation and increase required grip force.
Contact stress can compress nerves and blood vessels can cause excessive wear and friction in connective tissue.
Duration of the job
All of these risk factors must
be considered together.

18. Examples of Risk Factors
Bins weigh 15-30#
Lifts day
Risk Factors:
Awkward Postures- Shoulders shrugged, hands extended from body, and lifting above chest height.
Force- Lifting lbs
Repetition- Lifts are performed times per day

19. Examples of Risk Factors
Uses on hydraulic pumps / day
Risk Factors:
Awkward Postures- Wrist deviated at 90 degrees
Repetition- Task performed times/ day

20. Examples of Risk Factors
40# per bin
Lifts bins per 8 hours
Risk Factors:
Force- Lifting 40 lbs
Repetition- Lifts are performed times per day
Contact Stress- Sides of bins push against inside of elbows limiting circulation

21. Examples of Risk Factors
10-45# per bin
Lifts 200+ bins per 8 hr
Risk Factors:
Awkward Postures- Back bent at 90 degrees with slight twist
Force- Lifting lbs from floor
Repetition- Lifts are performed 200+ times per day

22. MSD Treatment Rest Non specific anti-inflammatory drugs
Appropriate Splinting
Steroids
Job Change
Physical Therapy
Work Hardening
Surgery
NSAIDS - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Work Hardening - working less hours at the same job
Harmon is investigating post-offer, pre-employment screening to determine if a candidate has the physical capability to perform a job.

23. Why is Early Reporting so Important?
MSDs can build up gradually over time or occur as acute events (ie: sprains and strains).
This gradual process means that the body may know, through soreness or discomfort, early on that problems may be starting.
The earlier an MSD injury / illness is reported the easier it is to treat and manage.
Early reporting and treatment may mean less time away from work, fewer trips to a physician, avoidance of surgery, or other complex procedures.

24. Why is Early Reporting so Important?
If a soreness or discomfort occurs it should be reported immediately, it should be reported to your leadership team.
Early reporting is the employees responsibility but it is supported and encouraged by Leadership.

25. Ergonomic Recommendations
These are some of the most common MSD risk factors that have been recognized from studying MSDs and workstation evaluations.
Correcting the magnitude of these MSD risk factors could significantly reduce the number of MSDs.
ASK EMPLOYEES TO REVIEW THEIR WORKSTATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER CLASS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE EXPOSED TO THESE RISKS.

26. General Ergonomic Controls
Target the MSD Risk Factors!
Reduce heavy effort levels (lifting & pushing/pulling)
Improve posture
Proper workstation design (heights, reaches, clearances)
Reduce repetition or continuous effort time
Minimize contact with sharp edges
Minimize vibration and shock

27. General Ergonomic Controls
Control Options:
Engineering controls- eliminate or minimize risk.
Replace manual lift with crane or hoist
Automation
Administrative controls
Work practices
Rotation

28. Lifting Best Practice. . . Good Ergonomics
Use lifting aids where possible
Hoists, lift tables, carts etc
Keep the weight close to the body
(hands < 10” (25.4 cm) from body)
Get help when needed- buddy system
Slide vs. lift where possible
Use proper lifting techniques
Keep the back as straight as possible
“Diagonal Lift” bent knees and back
Do NOT lift any object exceeding 30 lbs.!!!! 28 28

29. Lifting Best Practice. . . Good Ergonomics
Which lift is better? Why?
Utilize multiple muscle groups to distribute the force
Results in less force on the lower back 29 29

30. Lifting Best Practice. . . Good Ergonomics
Use lifting aids where possible
Hoists, lift tables, carts etc
Keep the weight close to the body
(hands < 15” from body)
Get help when needed
Use proper lifting techniques
Keep the back as straight as possible
“Diagonal Lift” bent knees and back
Slide vs. lift where possible

31. Use Ergonomics, Get The Biomechanical Advantage
As much as possible . . .
Standing work heights should be at 35-42”
Get the work at chest to waist levels as much as possible.
Keep reaches within 15”/ 38.1 cm.
Get the work in-front of you or you in-front of the work.
Applying biomechanics to work easier and safer for the employees advantage The Biomechanical Advantage.

32. Pushing / Pulling . . . Best Practice. . . Good Ergonomics
Goal to have force < 50 lbs/ 22.7 kgs.
If over, consider options to reduce:
Consider wheels / bearings for carts
Maintenance of wheels, etc.
Surface smoothness
Maneuverability do all wheels need to move
Is there a method to allow the object slide easier?
Pushing and pulling are important actions or tasks that are associated with MSDs.

33. “Administrative” Ergonomics Pointers
Stretching before or during work
Rotating Workstations
Increase number of rest intervals
-Micro-breaks- frequent, short breaks
Exercise
-Maintaining fitness level
-”Fit” people, much less prone to MSDs
There are other means closely associated with ergonomics to address MSDs.
These can be integrated and should be blended with the formal ergonomics effort.
Using any of these approaches will simply reduce the risk of MSDs.

34. JOB & HOME WARM-UP/FLEXIBILITY EXERCISES
STRETCH N’ FLEX
JOB & HOME WARM-UP/FLEXIBILITY EXERCISES
Hug and Bend Trunk twist Knee lift Calf stretch Leg shake Stretch
1. Chin to chest Both directions, Hold with other hand 1. Keep heel on floor Both legs, Standing, stretch your
2. Hug yourself slow and easy, for support, slowly, 2. Keep leg straight seconds, body, reaching up and back
3. Bend knees do 4 times lift knee to chest, 3. Bend other knee do 2 times, with arms and hands, arch
4. Bend forward alternate legs, toe straight, alternate hold with other back slightly, raise up on
do 4 times, slowly do 4 times legs, hold for 4 count, hand for support toes if desired, do slowly,
do 4 times hold for 4 count, do 4 times
Neck Rotation Shoulder Shrug Arm Circle Wrist Circles Arm Shake Abdominal Flex
Full circles, Full circles, Full circles, both arms, Full circles, both Both arms, Tighten abdominal muscles,
both directions, both directions, small then get larger, directions, do slowly, seconds, hold for 10 count,
do slowly, 4 times do slowly, 4 times both directions, do both wrists, 2 times do 2 times do 4 times
in each direction in each direction slowly, 4 times in in each direction (Known as pelvic tilt do
each direction several times during the day)
These and other stretching/warm-up exercises can be used for regular preparation for activity (work or recreation / sport).
Do these exercises several times a day. These can be done at work as well as at home.

35. Thanks for your time and attention!
There are other means closely associated with ergonomics to address MSDs.
These can be integrated and should be blended with the formal ergonomics effort.
Using any of these approaches will simply reduce the risk of MSDs.