occupational ergonomics

Occupational Ergonomics - Prevention Awareness SessionVaudreuil Safety Office – Lunch and Learn SessionsSeptember 12, 2012 – 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. Simon Daigle

Commitment makes the best chemistry.

Occupational Ergonomics

During the evolution of time and since inception of using tools, mankind has worked to earn a living but the working life caused an impact on its health and wellbeing. Today, we can understand these occupational health effects while studying and preventing risk factors through preventative approaches while eliminating or minimizing risk factors and health hazards through occupational safety and ergonomics.



Healthy postures and ergonomic practices at home, in your car, during sports or at work (office, plant, in the field) are very important.

Why ?

Because you only have one spine that holds everything together (e.g.: skeletal structure, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, human organic systems, vital organs, etc..)!



Table of Contents:

1. Buckman Corporate Requirements - 5min

2. Vaudreuil Facility requirements - 5min

3. Quebec OHS act and regulations - 5min

4. Occupational Ergonomics- 30min

5. Question & discussion period – 5min

7. Quiz – 5 minutes



SCOPE: Presentation of occupational ergonomic risk factors and health hazard stressors and awareness prevention

PURPOSE: Increase safety prevention through awareness

OBJECTIVES: Delivery of safety awareness content through general presentation using power point visuals and question / discussion period followed by a 10 question short quiz.

• To define ergonomics and what impacts its has on occupational injury prevention

• To provide an introduction to anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system related to occupational ergonomic

• To provide and identify work risks and practices and solutions for the office, industrial, and the field settings.



Occupational Ergonomics:

Study and applied science of the interface between the work environment and fitting the job to the worker (anatomically, environmentally, physiologically, and psychologically) in order to maintain or enhance human efficacy, efficiency, productivity and well being.

Ergo = work

Nomic = natural laws (excluding gnostic laws)

Efficacy = ability or capacity to produce a desired effect (task, purpose, etc)

Efficiency = extent to which time or effort is well used for the intended task or purpose.

Productivity is characterized by the efficiency of production.

Well being an absolute satisfactory condition of existence. It is normally characterized by an holistic view of positive health status, happiness, prosperity and positive welfare.



1. Buckman Corporate Requirements - 5min



2. Vaudreuil Facility requirements (VFHSEP-10)- 5minPurpose:

This procedure was created to ensure ergonomic improvements are captured and communicated to all Buckman associates.

The Progress of Symptoms:

Symptoms may start gradually

Symptoms are often ignored initially

They will get worse/harder to treat over time if not addressed

May go away on weekends or during holidays

If that happens, condition may not be gone however! => This could indicate serious injuries

Because people respond in individual ways, however, not all employees exposed to risk will develop Cumulative Trauma Disorders.

The amount of psychological stress involved in a task, as well as physical fitness, outside activities and other diseases can also affect your degree of risk.



Risks

Performance of a certain set of motions over and over, enough times without taking breaks, the affected part of the body could start to suffer. Especially if working in an awkward posture and/or use a lot of force.

High-stress, fast-paced work environment:Having machines control the work paceRushing to meet production requirementsWorking fast because of rushes

Repeated and forceful motions:Moving and lifting boxesGripping heavy/bulky materials without handlesbending/twisting to lift/move heavy materials over and over, all day long Uncomfortable/awkward work positions:Twisting and reaching to get materials from racks /bins and stooping to load/unload materials over and over, all day long Handling materials for long periods without taking a break This means muscle, tendon and ligament injuries have less time to heal. Heat/Cold Stresses:Hot temperatures can cause dehydration; cold temperatures can cause poor blood circulation which makes injuries from forceful, repetitive work more likely



3. Quebec OHS act and regulations - 5min



4. Occupational Ergonomics:

a. Ergonomic risk factors

b. Other ergonomic stressors such as industrial hygiene, productivity, staffing, predisposed medical conditions) and risk factors we control versus the ones we cannot control

c. Occupational injury and illnesses (types, definitions)

e. Identification, recognition, assessment and control (Risk factors)

f. Ergonomic evaluations, monitoring, education, awareness and training



a. Ergonomic risk factors

Risk factors**:

Force

Repetition

Posture

** We need at least 2 ergonomic risk factors to be present in order for a serious occupational illness to develop. Ref. 3: NIOSH Epidemiological evidence. Taking into account duration and frequency of risk factors.



b. Ergonomic stressors (industrial hygiene, productivity, staffing

Other risk factors :

Poor industrial hygiene conditions

(lighting, noise, vibration, etc..)

Maintaining awkward postures for prolonged

periods of time.



Other risk factors that can contribute to ergonomic problems and cause occupationally related traumas***:

* Age (ex.: natural degeneration of the spine )

* Sex

* Cigarette (consumption)

* Physical exercise (the absence)

* Individual strength

* Anthropometrics (examples: length of arms, legs, torso, etc..)

***Ref. 3: NIOSH Epidemiological evidence.



Physiology & anatomy: Spine



CTD lower back: Video 2

Anatomy of spine: Video 1

Europeen Union fr Videos “sorry!” 2011



c. Occupational injury and illnesses (types)

Neck musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)

Shoulder MSD (Rotator cuff injuries)

Elbow MSD (Epicondylitis)

Hand / Wrist MSD (Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis)

Hand / Arm vibration syndrome (Reynaud syndrome)

Lower back injury

Knees



c. Occupational injury and illnesses (types, definitions)

Types of Ergonomic Injury

Involves: Muscles, Tendons, Nerves, Joints, Spinal Discs, Headaches



Body reactions to poor ergonomics:

WRMSD: Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

MSD: Musculoskeletal Disorders

RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury

MSI: Musculoskeletal Injury

RMI: Repetitive Motion Injury

CTD: Cumulative Trauma Disorder

Over use syndrome and ergonomic injury cycle:

1) Fatigue (no recovery periods)

2) Discomfort (2 risk factors and more)

3) Pain (injury to disorder)

4) Disability (MSD, RSI, MSI, CTD, RMI, WRMSD, etc...)



Body Reactions To Poor Occupational Ergonomics

Trembling of the affected body part

Weakness

Pain

Discomfort

Loss of Alertness

Slower Reaction

Faulty Judgment

Posture

Force

Repetition

Temperature

Vibration

Stress



Ergonomic and work task risks:

Neck postures:

a. Static neck postures

b. Frequent flexing

c. Frequent rotating

Shoulders:

a. Repetitive reaching (over, under, and ground level)

b. Repetitive forward or lateral reaching

c. Repetitive heavy lifting

d. Lifting of heavy weights overhead




Elbows: a. Repetitive reaching

b. Prolonged arm extension

c. Awkward hand positions

d. Bent elbows

Wrists: a. Prolonged gripping

b. Repetitive hand movements

c. Awkward hand positions

d. Mechanical stress




Hands: a. Prolonged gripping

b. Repetitive pinching

c. Glove use

d. Mechanical stress

e. Repetitive bending

f. Static stooping

g. Frequent twisting




Back: a. Improper body mechanics

b. Repetitive heavy lifting

Legs: a. Fatigue from prolonged standing

b. Swelling from prolonged sitting

c. Mechanical pressure

d. Improper footwear

e. Prolonged standing




Office Ergonomics: a. Lack of movement

b. Repetitive tasks

c. Poor postural alignment

d. Computer monitor

e. Keyboard

f. Mouse

g. Telephone

h. Chair

i. Work surface

j. Office setting



Office Ergonomics: modern times and laptops



Office Ergonomics:




Industrial ergonomics:

a. Repetitive tasks

b. Poor postural alignment

c. Pace

d. Heavy lifting

e. Work surface

f. Tools

g. Material handling



Image Credit: Cal OSH & NIOSH



Industrial ergonomics: safe lifting technics




Personal risk factors:

a. Hydration

b . Diet

c. Smoking

d. Sleep

e. Fitness level



Video:

NAPO (6 minutes) – Awareness on industrial ergonomics



QUIZ TIME !


Occupational Ergonomics1. Which is not a risk factor that determines if too much repetition contributed

to a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) or CTD (cumulative trauma disorder) ?

a. When lifting a box between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon

b. Lifting 50 times per hour a box of 20 lbs

c. Awkward postures when lifting greater that 30 lbs boxes upward in a stairwell

d. Whole body muscles or how many nerves and muscles involved.

2.Loss of muscle strength or function or hand manual dexterity is a sign of an CTD or MSD.

o True or o False

3.Injuries to nerves and hard tissue such as bones and kidney stones are signs of MSD (musculoskeletal disorders) or CTD.

o True or o False



4. Which tool does not have vibrating properties that may potentially contribute to an MSD or CTD?

a. Bench grinder, b. Electric drill, c. Manual wood saw, d. Electric bread mixer

5. Does the use of PPE eliminate ergonomic risk factors and/or is the preferred measure in controlling MSDs or CTDs?

o True or o False

6. Which of the following is not a common MSD or CTD symptom?

a. Joint pains and muscle soreness,

b. Numbness and tingling feeling

c. Pulsating and shooting pain

d. Headache or sudden loss of vision



7. Awkward postures that you may experience while performing your job include all but which of the following:

a. Bending, b. Standing on a hill, c. Sitting, d. Reaching, e. Twisting,

8. Contact stress puts pressure on nerves, tendons, or blood vessels in such a way that it may result in an MSD or CTD.

o True or o False

9. Employee engagement and commitment is not needed for an effective ergonomics program or to minimize occupational ergonomics risks ?

o True or o False

10. Is the grip considered as a CTD or MSD risk factor to consider when assessing jobs with continued static postures and muscle forces applied on the tool and kJ energy applied to the contact surface ?

o True or o False



1. a . Lifting a box between 3 and 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon

2. True.

3. False. MSDs are injuries to nerves and soft tissue (tendons [muscle to bones], ligaments [bones to other bones], muscles)

4. c. Manual saw

5. False. Engineering controls is the preferred control measure.

6. d. Headache or sudden loss of vision

7. c. Sitting

8. True.

9. False. Employee engagement and commitment is fundamental.

10. True.



The identification, recognition, evaluation, control and monitoring of ergonomic work injuries is a collaborative effort between

employees,

supervisors and mangers,

health and safety professional,

and the health care provider

to identify risk factors that we can control both personal and work related by implementing ergonomic changes to create a safe and productive work environment.



References:

1. Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene (5th Edition), Barabara A. Plog., Patricia J. Quinlan. Chapter 7, Hazards recognition and 3 chapters on human factors and ergo. Year 2002.

2. LOW BACK DSIORDERS. Second Edition. Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabiliation. Stuart McGill, PhD. University of Waterloo Canada. 2002. ISBN-10: 0-7360-6692-6 et ISBN-13: 987-0-7360-6692-1.

3. NIOSH 2010. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors. A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back. Publication NIOSH Publication No. 97-141: July 1997.

4. 5. Z1004-10E. Workplace Ergonomics. Draft for public review. Canadian Standards Association. 41 pages, May 2010. Expires June 2010.

5. 6. CCHST: Centre canadien de l`hygiène et sécurité au travail. Exercise pour un dos en santé. Mai 2010. Document pour la promotion de l`ergonomie.

6. 7. The Occupational Ergonomics Handbook. Second Edition. Fundamentals and Assessment tools for Occupational Ergonomics. By William S. Marras and Waldemar Karwowski. 2006.

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