1. An Overview Paul Schlumper, CSP, P.E. Georgia Tech Research Institute
Ergonomics
An Overview
Paul Schlumper, CSP, P.E.
Georgia Tech Research Institute

2. We Will Discuss Ergonomics Overview Ergonomic Hazards or Risk Factors
Control Techniques
OSHA’s Strategy

3. What is Ergonomics? The study of work; OR
The discipline that matches the job to the worker
Let me start with our definition and interpretation of ergonomics
“Matches” is the key word. It tells that ergonomics is process
“Job” encompasses a few components:
Workstation physical shape and size as well as used tools, equipment and machinery designs and the environmental conditions
Job content: tasks - their variety and sequence, work- and rest-breaks
Worker: skills, work practices, work habits, worker’s active input
To achieve a “perfect” (?) read acceptable match all these components have to be considered and eventually addressed.

4. Multi-Disciplinary Nature of Ergonomics
Anatomy and Physiology
Engineering Psychology
Engineering
Medicine
Anthropology
Biomechanics

5. Benefits of Ergonomics
Decreased risk of injury
Increased productivity
Increased quality and efficiency
Decrease lost work days
Decrease turnover
Improve morale

6. Musculoskeletal Injuries
Work-related MusculoSkeletal Disorders - WMSD
Repetitive Strain Injuries - RSI
Repetitive Motion Injuries - RMI
Cumulative Trauma Disorders - CTD
Occupational Overuse Syndrome - OOS
WRULD
Low Back Pain
What is so extraordinary or mysterious or vicious about them
In medicine, they have been known for centuries (from Ramazini’s time) but,
For long time they were considered rather as curiosities, as ailments specific to some professions or activities:
Writer cramp
Taylor ….
Tennis elbow
Golfers elbow, etc
No PPE – Back belts, braces, splints – quick fixes
No medical treatment
Prevention
Fitness
To prevent you have to know what you want to protect from. Other words you have to know what cause them or what are the hazards.
After many many, practically countless studies we think we know them hazards
We even invented the special name for them Ergonomic Hazards

7. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?

8. Workplace Indicators Performance deterioration Quality problems
Absenteeism/turnover
OSHA Logs and WC Reports
Complaints of fatigue and discomfort

9. Ergonomic Hazards (Risk Factors)
Awkward working postures
Static postures
Forceful exertions
Repetitive movements
Pace of work
Point pressures
Temperature extremes
Vibration
AWKWARD POSTURE – what is this?
Sitting – standing ?
Compact
Fixed, sustained for long time
Flexibility
FORCEFUL MOVEMENT
Difficoulty with quantifying
Position of force application
REPETITIVE MOVEMENTS
PACE OF WORK

10. Ergonomic Risk Factors
To contribute to MSDs, risk factors must be present for sufficient duration, frequency, or magnitude

11. UPPER EXTREMITY RISK FACTORS

12. Organizational Influences
Wage system
Quality Control
Management-Labor Relations
Machine-paced vs. self-paced work
Overtime
Shift work
Rest breaks

13. Non-Work-Related Factors
Physical conditioning
Medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, arthritis)
Pregnancy
Hobbies (hand-intensive or manual handling)

14. Ergonomics Control Techniques
Engineering Controls
Work Practices
Administrative Controls
Personal Protective Equipment

15. Ergonomics Control Techniques
Work station design
Work methods
Tool design
Reducing or spreading force
Obtaining better mechanical advantage
Engineering Controls

16. Workstation Design Guidelines
Reduce static component and allow worker to use optimal posture (midpoint of limbs range of motion)
Avoid forward reaches in excess of 16”
Elbows down close to the body flexor angle around 90 degrees
Sit-Stand preferred but rarely seen
Use gravity do not work against it
Avoid the need for excessive head movement
Avoid compression against hard/non-rounded edges

17. Ergonomics Control Techniques
Task Enlargement
Work techniques
Conditioning
Work Practices

18. Ergonomics Control Techniques
Job rotation
Maintenance of equipment & environment
Rest breaks
Increase number of employees
Physical conditioning
Relief personnel
Medical management
Administrative Controls

19. Ergonomics Medical Management
Accurate injury & illness recording.
Early recognition & reporting.
Conservative treatment.
Medical treatment & rehabilitation for disabling injuries.
Baseline health and workplace assessments.
Medical participation in workplace design.

20. Ergonomics Control Techniques
Wrist supports
Gloves
Braces
Splints
Abdominal belts
Personal Protective Equipment CAREFUL!

21. Ideal Computer Workstation Posture

22. EMPLOYEE CONTROLS

23. UPPER/LOWER BACK

24. Ergonomics Back Disorders
Approximately 20% of all work-related injuries.
Approximately 25% of annual workers’ compensation payments.
Most frequently injured body part according to the NSC.

25. Ergonomics Back Disorders
Manual Lifting Risk Factors
Weight
Location (center of gravity)
Frequency, Duration, Pace
Stability
Hand holds (techniques)
Workplace Layout (obstacles)
Posture (Torso flex, twisting, arms extended)
Environmental Factors (lighting, friction, temperature, humidity, vibration, PPE, personal risk factors)

26. Job Design - Lower Back Minimize reach, lift, and carry distances
Keep off floor (Lift from knuckle height)
Work station design
Limit travel distance to less than 10 feet
Frequency
Relax time standard
Rotation
Work-Rest allowances
Minimize Weight
Mechanical aids
Carton capacity
Balance contents
Minimize Twisting
Provide Good Handles
Convert:
Carry to push/pull
Push over pull
Use large wheels

27. WORKPLACE USE OF BACK BELTS NIOSH 94-122
Insufficient Data that belts significantly reduce trunk loading
Insufficient data that wearing reduces risk of injury based on IAP and EMG
May strain cardiovascular system
Insufficient data that discontinuation of use increases risk among healthy workers
* NIOSH does not recommend as prevention tool

28. Ergonomics Program Elements
Management commitment & employee participation
Hazard information and reporting
Job hazard analysis
Hazard prevention & control
Medical management
Training
Program evaluation

29. Information Sources 1. Elements of Ergonomic Programs
NIOSH
2. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors
NIOSH
3. Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting
NIOSH
4. Cumulative Trauma Disorders: A Manual for MSDs of the Upper Limbs, Putz-Anderson
5. Fitting the Task to the Man, Grandjean
Taylor and Francis
6. Ergonomics: The Study of Work, OSHA,
References continue on next slide

30. Applications guide for the revised NIOSH lifting equation
REFERENCES
Applications guide for the revised NIOSH lifting equation
NTIS PB (703) $12.00
NTIS PB Scientific Documentation
Elements of Ergonomic Programs
NIOSH NIOSH
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors
NIOSH
Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting
NIOSH
References continue on next slide

31. REFERENCES (continued)
Cumulative Trauma Disorders: A Manual for MSDs of the Upper Limbs, Putz-Anderson
Fitting the Task to the Man, Grandjean
Taylor and Francis
Methodological Limitations in the Study of VDT use and UEMDs
Gerr, Marcus, Ortiz, American J. Ind. Med. 29: (1996)
Dan Ortiz, Georgia Tech (404)

32. Ergonomics – A Comprehensive Plan
Today, we are here to share our strategy for success. A comprehensive, practical approach to addressing ergonomic related injuries in the workplace. Our approach addresses the issues now and it will reduce injuries quickly.
April 5, 2002
9/18/2018

33. “Our goal is to help workers by reducing ergonomic injures in the shortest possible time frame. This plan is a major improvement over the rejected rule because it will prevent ergonomics injuries before they occur and reach a much larger number of at-risk workers.”
$          As Secretary Chao said:
“Our goal is to help workers by reducing ergonomic injuries in the shortest possible time frame. This plan is a major improvement over the rejected old rule because it will prevent ergonomics injuries before they occur and reach a much larger number of at-risk workers.”
OSHA and the agency=s stakeholders, have invested a considerable amount of time and money in seeking an appropriate way to address ergonomics. We now want to move forward, building on strategies that have been successful and based on sound principles outlined by Secretary Chao.
Elaine L. Chao
Secretary of Labor
April 5, 2002

34. Comprehensive Plan on Ergonomics – A 21st Century Response:
Industry and Task - Specific Guidelines
Enforcement
Outreach and Assistance
Advancing Research
Based upon all this experience and study we created a four-part approach to achieve effective and immediate results. The comprehensive approach includes the following elements:
$                   Industry-specific and task-specific guidelines
$                   A strong enforcement strategy
$                   Extensive outreach and assistance
$                   Research
9/18/2018

35. Industry and Task-Specific Guidelines:
Work with stakeholders to develop industry and task-specific guidelines for industries and particular hazards
We will begin releasing guidelines this year
The comprehensive approach involves four parts. The first is the establishment of industry and task specific guidelines.
OSHA will work with various stakeholders and develop Industry-specific and task-specific guidelines which will ensure prevention, flexibility and feasibility. We will move forward rapidly and we will have guidelines out this year.
  We will target industries and tasks where we can have the quickest and most effective results. This approach will offer employers the flexibility they need to tailor our recommendations and implement solutions that will be most effective in their workplaces and assure workers are protected from workplace ergonomic hazards. We=ll build on guidelines and best practices already developedBincluding our own meatpacking guidelines.

36. Enforcement:
Crack down on bad actors by coordinating inspections with a legal strategy designed for successful prosecution
For the first time, OSHA will have an enforcement plan designed to target prosecutable ergonomic violations
For the first time, OSHA will have special ergonomics inspection teams that work closely with DOL attorneys and experts to successfully bring 5(a)(1) prosecutions
Enforcement is the second and critical part of our ergonomics strategy.  
The Department will develop an ergonomics enforcement plan coordinating inspections with a legal strategy designed for successful prosecution.  
We will place special emphasis on industries with the sorts of serious ergonomics problems that OSHA and DOL attorneys already successfully addressed in prior General Duty Clause cases, including the nursing home settlement.  
For the first time, OSHA will have a successful enforcement strategy designed from the start to target ergonomic violations. Inspections will be coordinated with a legal strategy developed by DOL attorneys that is based on prior successful ergonomics cases and is designed to maximize successful prosecutions.  
In addition, we will have special ergonomic inspection teams that work closely with DOL attorneys and hand-picked experts in order to successfully bring 5(a)(1) prosecutions if necessary. The Department's ergonomics enforcement plan will coordinate inspections with a legal strategy designed for successful prosecution. 

37. Outreach and Assistance:
Provide tools to help workplaces reduce and prevent ergonomic injuries:
Provide expertise to assist businesses and workers
Support programs through training grants, curriculum development and other means
Design compliance assistance tools, new partnerships and recognition programs
Encourage others to develop best practices
Outreach and Assistance is part three of our comprehensive approach to ergonomics. OSHA plans to offer assistance to workers and businesses, particularly small businesses to help them address ergonomics in the workplace. We=ll also offer advice and training on the industry-specific and task-specific guidelines we develop and guidance on how to develop an effective ergonomics program.  
We=ll provide a wealth of materials on our website, support development of ergonomic training materials and training sessions, and make ergonomics training available through the 12 Education Centers that partner with us - and through distance learning.  
As part of the Department of Labor's cross-agency commitment to protecting immigrant workers, especially those with limited English proficiency; the new ergonomics plan includes a specialized focus to help Hispanic and other immigrant workers, many of whom work in industries with high ergonomic hazard rates. 
OSHA will look to its ongoing strategic partnerships and Voluntary Protection Program partners to assist in developing guidelines. We also intend to develop new partnerships to facilitate guideline development and implementation.  
We=re also planning to develop new recognition programs to highlight the achievements of worksites with exemplary or novel approaches to ergonomics. This is another way to promote awareness of successful strategies for reducing musculoskeletal disorders. 
We=ll be providing our compliance officers with training on ergonomic hazards and abatement methods. We will also designate 10 regional ergonomic coordinators who will be involved in enforcement, outreach and assistance.

38. Research:
Establish a national advisory committee and work with NIOSH to address research needs
Identify gaps in research related to the application of ergonomic principles in the workplace
Work with NIOSH and through the NORA process to encourage research in needed areas
The remaining part of our comprehensive approach to ergonomics is research.
We want to use the best available science in all that we do. Information from the National Academy of Sciences and from our ergonomics forums made it clear that many gaps still remain. 
For that reason we are establishing a national advisory committee, to advise OSHA in part, on gaps in ergonomic medical science and effective preventive techniques. In concert with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the committee, representing a broad range of expertise, will help OSHA serve as a catalyst to expand current research on the subject.  
OSHA will work closely with NIOSH and others on this phase of the program

39. Strategy for Success: Goals: Decrease ergonomic hazards
Reduce injuries and illnesses
Ensure flexibility and encourage innovation
Help employers prevent MSDs
This is the best approach to achieve results quickly.
We have one goal and one measure of success, and that is reducing injuries and illnesses – and doing that as quickly as possible. We could have continued to get bogged down in the political battles and scientific debates, but instead we have a plan designed to get results.
This approach is feasible, it=s flexible and it builds on proven success. We will begin -- right away -- assisting workers and employers in preventing work related ergonomic injuries.
We have developed the best approach to achieve immediate results. That means reducing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. We are ready to begin!