Employee Safety Training Ergonomics and Body Mechanics Awareness & Back Injury Prevention

1. Employee Safety Training Ergonomics and Body Mechanics Awareness & Back Injury Prevention James Madison University Deaprtment of Risk Management www.jmu.edu.riskmgmt

2. 3 Basic Ergonomic Elements Force Repetition Posture

3. There’s WORK to be done! Examples of daily work activities: • Walk, stand, climb • Lift, bend, carry, turn, place • Dipping, pouring, transfer of contents • Shovel, dig, rake, chop • Fasteners: nails, screws, bolts, rivets • An oil drum or cylinder is not user friendly! • Floors make poor work surfaces

4. Basic Physics =Good Ergo Practice • Keep heavier objects at waist level • Store lighter objects higher or lower • Lifting above shoulder or below knee= danger • Caution with loads NOT designed for handling • Examine package design, pack/unpack • Avoid lifting objects which must be lowered again!

5. Back Injury & MSD Prevention • Always follow correct lifting practices • Reinforce continually, enforce use of good practices – GOOD POSTURE is critical! • Examine each task- what are risk factors associated with lifting & handling load?? • Back Belts: not a substitute for safe lifting program, part of the solution • Engineering first, then manual material handling • Use mechanical advantage- THINK!

6. Lifting Considerations • Weight, size, shape, configuration, repetition, bulk vs. piece • Distance, surface, elevation • Assistance available? • Limitations on weight for one person • Check your route of travel, turns, lift, lower • Check your clearances, corners, obstructions • AVOID twisting, turning, awkward body position

7. Basic Body Mechanics & Laws of Physics * Legs do most of the work when lifting * Footwear and footing are important * Bend knees, avoid twisting, keep load close * An object does not have to be heavy to cause a problem- lifting POSTURE is most important * Remember: FORCE, REPITITION, POSTURE * Use TOOLS or mechanical assistance to lift, move, slide, roll, etc. * Get HELP if load is too large or awkward for one person * Clear path of travel- remove obstacles * Break load down to smaller units, make an extra trip * Plan heavy lifts- THINK before lifting * Caution: over the shoulder/ below the knee lifts can cause high stress on body- be very careful when exerting force in these postures * GOOD POSTURE HELPS!! When seated, standing or sleeping!! Keep back straight, avoid slouching! You’ll feel better!!!

8. How & Why Injuries Occur • Daily, routine tasks, performed improperly over long term • Poor posture and physical condition, mechanical factors • Failure to observe, plan, get help • Failure to use proper material handling practices • Trying to rush, reaching outside of safety zone • Specifics: working with trucks, trailers, equipment, tools, boxes, bags, slippery contact surfaces, awkward loads, defective footwear • Protect yourself- follow good ergonomic practice, stay healthy & fit!

9. Get a Grip! • Power Grip • Precision Grip • Hook Grip

10. Personal Protective Equipment • Correct selection for hazard • Proper size, adjusted • Clean, good condition, maintained • One size does not fit all • Employees trained in correct use • Example: Hard hat, safety glasses

11. Glove Selection & Grip Strength • Gloves PROTECT your hands • Evaluate contact surfaces • Load Configuration: angular, sphere, balanced • Does the load have handholds? • Correct glove “fit” is important for best dexterity • The right glove material will reduce manual effort, improve grip strength • Fingers are for manipulation

12. Take Care of Your Feet! • Often ‘overlooked’ in ergonomic evaluations. • Standing surfaces, use mat, wood, etc. • Footwear, proper selection, condition • Socks, inserts, insulation, keep dry • Change shoes, socks during shift • Upper body stability, all conditions • Locomotion factors- turning, stepping

13. Walking-Standing-Climbing • There’s a right way and a less then right way • Walking on slopes, uneven ground – use traverse method • Use a long handled tool for upper body stability • Check your footwear – look at the heel configuration on loggers boots for example • They are made to cut into slope and GRIP • They are 8 inch or higher, lace up for foot, ankle, lower leg • LOOK where you are stepping when on unfamiliar terrain • LOOK for depressions, hollows, sink holes, varmint lairs, etc. • Do not rush. Take smaller strides. • Stop at top of slope before descending.

14. Correct Ergo Clothing! • Example: Golf sweater, roomy shoulders • Minimum upper body covering :T-shirt • Too tight, too loose = extra work • Adjustable, proper size • Multiple layers in cold weather • Fabric insulation properties • Perspiration wicking, absorption

15. Cold Weather Dress • Dress in several light layers. Warm air is trapped between layers to help insulate • Open or remove layers to adjust heat retention • Upper body contains 70% of blood & body heat • Full body garments – good, eliminate seams, heat loss • Adjustable, engineered fabrics, gusseted sleeves, etc. • Exterior layer for elements – rain, wind, etc. • Interior layers for warmth and comfort. • Glove liners, extra pair of socks, helmet liner, scarf, etc.

16. Ergo-Transport • #1 cause of driver injury – on & off the rig • 3 point stance at all times • Seat position: Knees higher then hips • Tilt wheel, power options, adjust mirrors • Vibration, noise, temperature, humidity • Cab mounts, heavy equipment, steps, rungs, handholds • Trailer hitch mounted step • Working on the back of a truck – CAUTUION