1. ERGONOMICS BASICS FOR EMPLOYERS This material was produced under grant numbers SH-22300-11-F-17 from the Occupational Safety and Health administration, U.S. Dept. of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U. S. Government.

2. WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? Ergonomics is the study of the ‘fit’ between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who perform the work…considering variability in human capabilities when designing, selecting, or modifying equipment, tools, work tasks, or the work environment. Source: Easy Ergonomics OR-OSHA

3. Repetition Environmental Conditions Work Organization Contact Stress Vibration Posture Force ERGONOMIC HAZARDS/ RISK FACTORS FOR MUSCULAR SKELETAL DISORDERs (MSDs)

4. WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT ERGONOMICS? Leading Cause of Workplace Injury: Ergonomic Hazards Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics YEAR# OF CASES% OF ALL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES 2006357,16030% 2007335,39029% 2008317,44029% 2009348,74028% 2010346,40034%

5. WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT ERGONOMICS How Much Do MSDs Cost Employers? YEARCOST (in billions)% of TOTAL COST ALL WORKPLACE INJURIES 2006 1 $12.425.7 2007 2 12.724.0 2008 3 13.425.0 2009 4 12.7525.4 1 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2008 2 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2009 3 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2010 4 Source: Liberty Mutual Safety Index 2011

6. DIRECT COSTS ● Higher workers’ compensation premiums ● Medical services to assess & accommodate injured workers Source: Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA

7. INDIRECT COSTS ● Employee turnover increased ● Absenteeism increased ● Retraining needed ● Product quality affected Source: Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA

8. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU MIGHT HAVE AN ERGONOMICS PROBLEM?

9. HOW DO YOU KNOW MIGHT HAVE AN ERGONOMICS PROBLEM? ● Employees report problems ● Employees modify tools, equipment ● Production bottlenecks ● Product quality affected ● Employee absentee/turnover increase ● OSHA 300 Log patterns ● Workers’ compensation cases increase

10. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE PICTURES? WHERE’S THE ERGONOMIC HAZARD? WHY DOES THIS HAZARD EXIST WHAT’S CAUSING THE HAZARD?

11. Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA

12. Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA

13. Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA

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16. Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA

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18. Source: Easy Ergonomics Oregon OSHA

19. HOW CAN EMPLOYERS PREVENT/REDUCE ERGONOMIC HAZARDS? Engineering Controls Administrative Controls Personal Protective Equipment

20. Be careful about how to fix the problem. The control should not eliminate one risk factor and create another.

21. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM

22. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement

23. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement Job Analysis & Hazard Identification

24. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement Job Analysis & Hazard Identification Reporting System

25. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement Job Analysis & Hazard Identification Reporting System Training & Education

26. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement Job Analysis & Hazard Identification Reporting System Training & Education Hazard Prevention & Control

27. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement Job Analysis & Hazard Identification Reporting System Training & Education Hazard Prevention & Control Program Evaluation

28. A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM Worker and Union Involvement Job Analysis & Hazard Identification Reporting System Training & Education Hazard Prevention & Control Program Evaluation Medical Management

29. OSHA’s authority on ergonomic hazards: OSHA Act Section (5) (a) (1) Does a hazard exist? Is the hazard recognized? Is the hazard likely to cause serious harm? Is there a feasible means to reduce the hazard?

30. WHERE TO GET HELP ● Your Industry Trade Association ● OSHA Consultation Service Illinois (217) 782-9386 Indiana (317) 232-2683

31. WHERE TO GET HELP ● NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation ● Universities

32. RESOURCES Easy Ergonomics. OR-OSHA http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/3347. pdf OSHA ergonomic guidelines by industry, training, tools, success stories, program examples www.osha.gov NIOSH research on ergonomic hazards & solutions www.cdc.gov/niosh