Office Ergonomics Program:

The COMPLETE PackageNeeltje Mack, CIH

Angelica Torres, MS

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems - Space Park

Core Elements of a Complete

Ergonomics Program

Management Commitment

Risk Identification

Hazard Assessment

Hazard Mitigation

Education and Training

Medical Management

NIOSH suggested Elements for an Effective Ergonomics Program

Management Commitment

• Key to success

• Demonstrated by:

– Written Ergonomics Policy

– Dedicated Health and Safety Staff assigned to support Ergonomics Program

– Making resources available to ensure success of the Ergonomics Program

– Supporting employee involvement and participation in ergonomic activities

Risk Identification Process

How do we identify our “at risk” employees?

Risk Identification Process• Utilize On-line Self Assessment Program to target at risk

employees

• OES by Remedy Interactive

– 7000+ employees enrolled

– Mandatory for new hires

– Includes training component

– Assesses discomfort levels, behaviors and equipment usage

– Stores employee risk profile

– Assigns risk rating ( , , )

– Provides immediate feedback and recommendations via email

– Completion in 40 minutes or less

OES On-line Self-Assessment Tool

OES On-line Self Assessment Tool

•Assessing Workstation Risk Factors

OES On-line Self Assessment Tool

• Discomfort, behavioral & ergonomic risk factors:

– HIGH

– MED

– LOW

• Prioritize in person evaluations

by risk rating

• Reports individual profiles

• Reports organizational status

Risk Identification: Other tools

• Self report on Ergonomics Webpage

– Request ergonomics evaluation

Risk Identification: Other Tools• Managers contact Ergonomics Program Manager

– Employee relocation

– New hire

– Furniture/ equipment changes

• Medical Services

– Employee can visit on site nurse/ MD

for consultation

– Nurse notifies Ergonomic Program Manager

for follow-up

– Report all First Aid and OSHA recordable injuries

Hazard Assessment Process

Perform Hazard Assessment

•In person ergonomics

evaluation

•Ergonomist uses OES

profile

•Evaluate equipment,

employee posture and

work habits

•Use tablet to capture data

•Document via E-Report

(paperless system)

E-Report System

13

• Auto populates fields

• Drop down menus for equipment selection

• Email notification to employee, management and Medical Services.

• Archives reports

E-Report System

• Manager approval

• Link to Ergonomics Equipment Catalog

• Seamless ordering process

Hazard Mitigation: Equipment

Selection

15

Corrective Action Follow-up

•E-Report System tracks communications and order

status

Hazard Mitigation: Prevention

• Provide ergonomics equipment for all new

workstations

– Established computer workstation specification

• Proactive Health and Wellness programs

– Group stretching activities, health coaching,

massage service

• Provide Body Mechanics training

Ergonomics Education and

Training• Ergonomics Website

– Bulletins

– Posters

– Interactive tutorials

– Equipment descriptions

• Ergonomics Committee

• Annual Health and Safety Fair

Ergonomics Education and

Training

• Stretch break programs

• Utilize OES to send Ergo Quick Tips

– Laptop Use

– Check Posture

– Chair Tips

– Take a Break!

Medical Management

• Full-time RN

• On-site MD Support

• Engagement with Health

and Safety

• Collaborate with

employee’s supervision to

ensure corrective actions

are implemented

Measuring Program Success

Repetitive Motion Injury Trends

Repetitive motion injuries decreased

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Rec. Injuries Space Systems Space

Park

C-RMI Rec. Injuries Space Systems

Space Park

Measuring Overall Risk Reduction

• High- Risk Population Has Decreased by 9% Since

Users’ Original Assessment.

• Report based on 377 individuals who logged in

between:

October 1, 2012 (time of activity) and December

31, 2012

Total Claims from 2002-2008

Participants

Non-participants

Overall Incurred Cost from 2002-2008

Participants

Non-Participants

$445,613

$2,350,293

259

114

Average Cost per Claim from 2002-2008

Participants

Non-Participants

$3,909

$9,075

OES Participants Realized Far Lower Total Incurred and Average CostsWorkers’ Comp Data Review

•How well does prevention work?

-Compare WC cost for OES

participants to non-participants

Quarterly Employee Feedback Survey

•Survey those employees that

received in person ergonomic

evaluations

•Survey response rate

-Average 50%-60%

Feedback Survey Results

• 90% implemented ergonomics recommendations

• 90% expressed positive results with change

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Received quick response to ergo request

Understood risk factor

Understood ergo recommendation

Received Training Materials

Ergo recommendation implemented

Positive results due to modification

Satisfied with modification

Improve processes based on feedback survey results

The COMPLETE Package

• Management support is critical

• Effective tools for risk identification

• Perform in person ergonomic hazard assessments

for priority groups

• Use an efficient tool to report assessment

observations and communicate recommendations

to management for their corrective action

• Follow-up to ensure corrective action closure

• Measure your success and share it

• Repeat process as needed!

Acknowledgements

• Space Park Ergonomics Program Manager

• OES Remedy Interactive

• Healthwaves – Health & Wellness Promotion

• Medical Services

• Ergonomics Team

Questions?