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Eric F. Shaver, Ph.D. August 2012

Part of the Introduction to Series

Fire Fighting Ergonomics

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Overview

Goals of the Presentation

Overview of HFE

CTD Fundamentals

Why is Ergonomics Important for Fire Fighting?

Fire Fighting Ergonomics Program

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Goals of the Presentation

Understand the importance of ergonomics to fire fighting.

Learn about CTDs (e.g., what they are; types; symptoms, etc.).

Know the process for reporting ergonomic risk factors & CTDs.

Understand the importance of implementing an Ergonomics Program.

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Overview of Human Factors & Ergonomics (HFE)

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What is HFE?

Human factors & ergonomics (HFE) is a unique scientific discipline that systematically applies the knowledge of human abilities and limitations to the design of systems with the goal of optimizing the interaction between people and other system elements to enhance safety, performance, and satisfaction.

In simpler terms, HFE focuses on designing the world to better accommodate people.

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What is HFE?, cont.

Notice I refer to it as human factors & ergonomics instead of just ergonomics.

Both terms are used interchangeably. I prefer to combine them.

Ergonomics is a Greek word meaning:

Ergo = work

Nomos = law

In a literal sense, it means work laws.

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What is HFE?, cont.

Human factors are relevant anywhere people work with systems, whether they are social or technical in nature.

The breadth of these sociotechnical systems include situations and circumstances where individuals interact with other system elements including:

People

Technology

Tasks

Organizations

Environments

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Origins of HFE

Human Factors &

Ergonomics

Psychology

Anthropology

Applied Physiology

Environmental Medicine

Engineering Computer Science

Statistics

Operations Research

Industrial Design

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Origins of HFE, cont.

In the U.S., HFE is generally considered to have originated during WWII.

But, advances that contributed to its formation can be traced to the turn of the 20th century.

HFE started in the military, but expanded into most industries, including fire fighting (wildland & structural).

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Industries Benefiting from HFE

Aerospace

Automotive

Chemical

Computer

Consumer products

Construction

Defense

Forestry

Health care

Manufacturing

Mining

Nuclear

Petroleum

Telecommunications

Textile

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What Value Does HFE Add?

Increased

Safety & health

Quality

Productivity

Ease of learning & use

Satisfaction, trust & loyalty

User experience & engagement

Sales & market share

Decreased

Deaths, injuries & illnesses

Accidents

Error rates

Absenteeism & turnover

Training time

Development costs

Need for redesign & recall

Support & services costs

Equipment damages

Maintenance costs

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CTD Fundamentals

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Overview

What are CTDs

Types of CTDs

Symptoms of CTDs

Ergonomic Risk Factors for CTDs

Reporting Suspected CTDs

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What are CTDs?

Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Work-related disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system that develop overtime as a result of repeated stresses.

Also, goes by:

WMSD (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)

RMI (Repetitive Motion Injury)

RSI (Repetitive Stress / Strain Injury)

OOS (occupational Overuse Syndrome)

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Where can CTDs Develop?

Often occur in the upper body, but can manifest anywhere.

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Types of CTDs

Tendon-related:

Tendinitis: inflammation of a tendon

Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the lining of the sheath that surrounds a tendon

Trigger Finger (or Thumb): fingers or thumb to catch or lock in a bent position due to tendon inflammation

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Types of CTDs, cont.

Nerve-related:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: median nerve entrapment that causes pain, tingling, and numbness of the hand

Digital Neuritis: Inflammation of the nerves in the fingers caused by repeated contact or continuous pressure

Joint-related:

Osteoarthritis: wear and tear arthritis; Degenerative Joint Disease

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Types of CTDs, cont.

Muscle-related:

Sprain: an injury to a joint (e.g., shoulder, knee, etc.)

Strain: an injury to a muscle or tendon (e.g., back)

Myalgia: muscle pain due to overuse or being over-stretched

Tension Neck Syndrome: soreness due to static loading or tenseness of neck muscles.

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Types of CTDs, cont.

Circulatory/Vascular-related:

Raynauds Syndrome: a.k.a., vibration-induced white finger; discoloration of the fingers due to extreme vasoconstriction.

Bursa-related:

Joint Bursitis: inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that lies between a tendon and skin, or between a tendon and bone

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Symptoms of CTDs

Muscle tightness & fatigue

Soreness, pain, and discomfort

Joint stiffness / popping & cracking

Limited range of motion

Numbness / tingling sensations

Burning sensations

Swelling & redness

Weakness / loss of strength

Coordination problems / clumsiness

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Ergonomic Risk Factors for CTDs

Heavy Weights / Forceful Exertions

Awkward Postures

Contact Stress (Localized)

High Repetition / Prolonged Activities

Excessive Vibration (Part or Whole Body)

Insufficient Recovery Time

Environmental Stressors

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Heavy Weights / Forceful Exertions

Heavy weights are physically taxing & potentially damaging to the body.

Forceful exertions are often used to overcome the inability of normal muscular strength to move or dislodge a large object.

Can lead to sprains, strains, soft tissue contact injuries.

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Awkward Postures

Awkward postures are those that move the body away from vertical position. These postures include:

Lateral bending or twisting at the waist (e.g., twisting to lift an object or avoid an obstacle);

Movement of the hands and arms above shoulder level (e.g., lifting, moving or holding);

Loads on the hands when the arms are extended (e.g., holding or moving objects at arm length);

Positions of the head not aligned with the body (e.g., overhead work, low or high monitors, etc.); and

Bent hand/wrist positions.

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Awkward Postures, cont.

These postures can be:

Static (e.g., bent over holding a hose)

Dynamic (e.g., lifting or moving objects)

Static postures create mechanical and metabolic loads.

Mechanically, static loads: Strain muscle and connective tissue

Metabolically, static loads: Reduce or exclude blood flow

Produce local muscle fatigue

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Contact Stress (Localized)

Examples

Contact with unpadded, sharp edge

Grasping small diameter tools requiring high forces

Using body part as a striking tool

It can:

Reduce blood flow

Compress body tissue

Increase body friction

Promote tissue inflammation

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High Repetition / Prolonged Activity

Repetition often combines with other risk factors.

Highly repetitive tasks affect the mechanical parts of the body (e.g., muscles, tendons, ligaments) and the bodys physiologic functions.

Higher rates of work require more muscle activity, force and recovery time.

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Excessive Vibration

Two types:

Partial Body: typically originates in the hand or arm

Whole Body: originates from the feet (standing work) or buttocks/back (seated work)

Assessed by:

Level (m/s)

Frequency (Hz)

Exposure duration

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Excessive Vibration, cont.

Whole Body

< 1Hz = Seasickness

1 and 100Hz (especially between 4 & 8 Hz) Chest pain

Difficulty breathing

Low back pain

Impaired vision

Partial Body

8 and 1000Hz Reduction in finger sensitivity and dexterity

Muscle, joint, and bone disorders

Vibration-induced white finger

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Insufficient Recovery Time

Examples

Short or no rest breaks

Lack of sleep

Continuous days of work without day(s) off

Injuries & illnesses not being allowed to properly heal

Results

Fatigue

Re-injury

Errors (slips, lapses, & mistakes)

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Environmental Stressors

Types:

Excessive noise

Extreme heat or cold

Chemicals

Inappropriate illumination

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Why is Ergonomics Important for the Fire Fighting Profession?

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Ergonomics & Fire Fighting

Ergonomic hazards can be present during:

Fire fighting operations

EMS calls

Training & drills

Physical exercise

Station activates

One potential solution is to design, develop, and deploy a quality ergonomics program.

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Fire Fighting Ergonomics Program

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Overview

Phase 1: Planning

Phase 2: Identify & Analyze Ergonomic Hazards

Phase 3: Develop & Implement Ergonomic Hazard Controls

Phase 4: Final Approval & Documentation

Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation

Phase 6: Training

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Ergonomics Program, cont.

Phase 1: Planning

Create an Ergonomic Committee

Develop a timeline

Identify areas to address

Phase 2: Identify & Analyze Ergonomic Hazards

Facilities Review

Vehicles & Equipment Review

PPE Review

Records Review

Personnel Interviews

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Ergonomics Program, cont.

Phase 3: Develop & Implement Ergonomic Hazard Controls

Engineering controls

Administrative controls

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Warning signs & Labels

Training

Phase 4: Final Approval & Documentation

Documents what occurred during Phases 1 3

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Ergonomics Program, cont.

Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation

On a quarterly basis: Ergonomic committee should meet to assess new developments.

Review all completed Ergonomics Symptom Survey forms.

Review any pertinent accident & incident forms.

Interview impacted employees.

Identify ergonomic hazard(s).

Remove or mitigate ergonomic hazard(s).

Document process and findings.

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Ergonomics Program, cont.

Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation, cont.

On a yearly basis: Have an outside ergonomics professional review your progress.

If necessary, implement changes to the ergonomics program & educate personnel about the changes.

On an as needed basis: If a pressing ergonomic issue arises, address it immediately.

Complete all steps listed in On a quarterly basis.

Phase 6: Training

Educate fire fighters about the importance of ergonomics.

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Take Home Message

Ergonomics is important for fire fighter safety & health.

CTDs often arent diagnosed early enough or go undiagnosed.

Numerous ergonomic risk factors contribute to CTDs development.

A quality ergonomics program can assist in identifying & removing ergonomic hazards often missed by typical safety programs.

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Resources

FEMA (1996, March). Fire and emergency medical services ergonomics: A guide for understanding and implementing an ergonomics program in your department

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-161.pdf

NIOSH (1997, March). Elements of ergonomics programs: A primer based on workplace evaluations of musculoskeletal disorders.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/pdfs/97-117.pdf

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Resources, cont.

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Author Biography

Dr. Shaver is a senior consultant with Benchmark Research & Safety, Inc., where he specializes in human factors & ergonomics, safety, organizational behavior, leadership development, user research, and training. Dr. Shaver's work has emphasized achieving an optimal fit between people, technology, and work systems to facilitate safety, performance, and satisfaction. A specific focus has centered on bridging the research-practice gap by synthesizing and disseminating the latest scientific findings about human capabilities and limitations to the design, development, implementation, use, and evaluation of technology.

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Contact Information

Eric F. Shaver, Ph.D.

Email: eric.shaver@gmail.com

Blog: www.thehumanfactorblog.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericshaver

SlideShare: www.slideshare.net/ericfshaver

Twitter: @ericshaver