1

Ergonomics for Fire and EMS Departments

Developing & ImplementingErgonomic Solutions

University of OregonLabor Education and Research Center

This material has been made possible by a grant from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, Department of Consumer and Business Services

2

Today’s Workshop

Will:

• Review injury risk factors

• Discuss solutions hierarchy

• Review hazard analysis

• Explore potential solutions

• Examine barriers to solutions

3

Musculoskeletal Risk Factors

•Temperature Extremes•Direct pressure

•Prolonged postures

•Awkward postures•Repetition

•Excessive force/weight (pulling, lifting)

•Poor work organization

4

Review of Ergonomics

The goal of ergonomics is to design the job to fit the worker,

NOT fit the worker to the job.

EnvironmentTask/job

Worker

5

Room for Improvement?

Environment:accommodate good

postures in›fire stations

›vehicles›ER

Task/job:time in awkward

postureforce

repetition proper equipment

Worker:Specific

capabilities

6

Ergonomic Solutions Hierarchy

Effectiveness Personal control

Bodymechanics

Personal protective equipment

Job organization

Equipment or Engineering

7

Injury Injury

8

Injury Injury

fitness & wellness

9

Injury Injury

fitness & wellness

proper body

mechanics

10

Injury Injury

fitness & wellness

proper body

mechanics

personal protective equipment

11

fitness & wellness

proper body

mechanics

personal protective equipment

joborganization

Injury

12

fitness & wellness

proper body

mechanics

personal protective equipment

joborganization

Engineering controls &

equipment improvements

13

Risk of musculoskeletal injury

fitness & wellness

proper body

mechanics

personal protective equipment

joborganization

Engineering controls/Equipment improvement

activities outside

work

14

Getting to Solutions

Hazards

Tasks

Job

Solution

• Ergonomics team• Equipment

committee• Shift crew• Training crew• Line personnel

Solution

Solution

Solution

15

Ergonomics Program Elements

• Assessment of musculoskeletal hazards

• Prevention and control of musculoskeletal hazards

• Training

• A medical management system

• Procedures for reporting injuries

• A plan for the implementation of the program

• Methods for evaluating the program

16

Job Hazard Assessment1 Identify and

prioritize jobs/tasks

2 Break down each job into discrete tasks

3 Study and assess each task- Determine the specific risk factors for each task

What and Why Analysis

17

Solutions…

18

What and Why Analysis

• Tasks or steps involved• Body parts affected• Risk factors• Frequency/duration of task• Why is it done this way?

• Potential solutions• Cost of solutions• Barriers

Assess the task

Prevent & control

19

Prevention and ControlAKA: Solutions

Set short term and long term goals

May address a single major problem

May address several smaller/simpler problems

Think outside the box

20

Solutions• Come up with many solutions

• Dream big and small

• Decide what is optimal• Barriers• Cost/benefit

• Best way to implement• Worker buy in• Department buy in

• Have a process

21

Lateral Transfer Aids• One “job” is the

lateral patient transfer

• Use of a device reduces the stress to the low back by reducing the friction.

• It eliminates the need for the 3rd person on the bed

Drawsheet only

Drawsheet with lateral transfer device

22

No-Lift System

ramp with special gurney

Bariatric Unit, AMR Portland

motorized winch & cable

23

Ergonomic Communication

FF/EMS

Nursinghomes

Patient/pt family

AssistedLiving

ER/hospitals

Other health care

facilities

Home careworker

24

Ergonomic Communication• Understanding the “bigger” picture can

help all the workers involved

• Establish appropriate communication with stakeholders

– Patient handling

– Patient logistics

– Patient care

• Develop policies

25

Solution for a job?

Job: Single person handling a ladder.

26

What and Why Job Hazard Analysis

Getting Ladder

Lift from engineCarry to site

Place against wall

Low back, shoulder, neck

Low back, shoulderLow back shoulder, legs

Heavy weight, awk posturesHeavy weight, awk posturesHeavy weight, awk postures

Infrequent, short durationInfrequent, short duration

Infrequent, short duration

Lift off truck

Need to walk

Need to get tip up

Firefighter Joe

27

Solutions

Now think about:– The tasks: lifting, carrying, placing– Potential solutions for each– Cost– Benefit– Barriers– Implementation

28

Solution Analysis

Task Potential

Solutions

Cost Benefit Barriers Implementation

Lifting ladder off truck

Alternative lightweight ladder

Carrying the ladder

Placing the ladder

29

Questions and Evaluation

Thank you for your attention

? ??

?