1 / 62

PMA Companies

PMA Companies. University of Scranton. Ergonomics presented by Mary Ann Bubka November 4, 2013. Ergonomics. What will be covered: What is Ergonomics? Why should we be concerned? Musculosketetal Disorders (MSDs). Ergonomic Risk Factors. What you can do to prevent injury?.

loki
Download Presentation

PMA Companies

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. PMA Companies University of Scranton Ergonomics presented by Mary Ann Bubka November 4, 2013

  2. Ergonomics What will be covered: • What is Ergonomics? • Why should we be concerned? • Musculosketetal Disorders (MSDs). • Ergonomic Risk Factors. • What you can do to prevent injury?

  3. What is Ergonomics • the science of fitting jobs to people. • Ergonomics uses knowledge of physical abilities, limitations & human characteristics that apply to job design.

  4. Ergonomic Design • considers the tasks, equipment & environment to provide efficient use of worker capabilities while ensuring that job demands do not exceed those capabilities

  5. Proper ergonomics can • Improve Efficiency • Increase Production Capability • Reduce Workplace Injuries • Lower Workers’ Comp Costs • Reduce Absenteeism

  6. Muscular Skeletal Disorders • MSDs are medical conditions that develop gradually over a period of time • MSDs do not typically result from a single instantaneous event.  

  7. Muscular Skeletal Disorders • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an injury or illness to soft body tissue such as: • Muscles • Nerves • Tendons • Ligaments • Joints • Cartilage • Spinal Discs MSD

  8. Why do we focus on Ergonomics? To minimize employee pain and the impact on the organization of ergonomic exposures.

  9. Ergonomic related injuries • May be called: • CTDs - cumulative trauma disorders • RSIs - repetitive stress injuries OR MSD – musculoskeletal disorders They normally affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints.

  10. Common types of MSDs • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Tendonitis • Tennis Elbow • Trigger Finger • Strains/Sprains

  11. Common Symptoms • Soreness • Numbness • Tingling • Weakness • Limited Range of Motion • Swelling

  12. Controlling MSDs • Step 1. • Identify the risk factors

  13. Ergonomic Risk Factors • Repetition • Force • Awkward Posture • Static Posture • Contact Stress • Temperature Extremes • Vibration • Psycho Social

  14. Repetition Risk Factors • Occurs when the same movements are performed frequently such as keying or clicking a mouse. • Can result in injury when the tissues are overused and do not have time to recuperate.

  15. Force Risk Factors • Force is the amount of physical effort required by a person to do a task. • With excessive force the muscles are working much harder than normal, this can lead to strain on the muscles, tendons, and joints.

  16. Force & Exertion • Forceful exertions place higher loads on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints • Factors • Weight • Bulkiness • Speed

  17. Risk Factors Awkward Posture • Is a deviation from the “neutral” body position. • A “neutral” body position is safest and most efficient position in which to work. • Awkward posture puts stress on muscles, tendons and joints.

  18. Risk Factors Static Posture • Static posture occurs when one position is held for a prolonged period of time. • The muscles become fatigued. • This fatigue can lead to discomfort and even injury.

  19. Risk Factors Contact Stress • Contact stress is caused by any sharp or hard object putting localized pressure on a part of the body. • Contact stress will irritate local tissues and interfere with circulation and nerve function.

  20. Risk Factors Temperature Extremes • Extreme heat or cold may place stress on tissues.

  21. Heat & Cold • Heat effects blood circulation & causes cramps, burns/rashes and general discomfort. • Cold effects the body's blood circulation, causes hypothermia, loss of flexibility, distraction and poor dexterity. • Comfortable temperature range • 68 to 74 degrees • Humidity 20 – 60%

  22. Risk Factors Vibration • Vibration is typically not found in an office environment but can occur when using tools. • Vibration places stress on the tissues of the fingers, hand and arms. • Whole body vibration from driving puts stress on the spinal tissues.

  23. Vibration • Excessive vibration causes pain to muscles, joints and internal organs • Soft tissue trauma to the hands, arms, feet and legs.

  24. Risk Factors Psycho-social Issues • Stress, boredom, job dissatisfaction and anxiety can contribute to the possibility of developing a MSD. • Psycho-social issues can create increased muscle tension and reduce a person’s awareness of work technique.

  25. Other contributory factors • Smoking • Diabetes • Obesity • Age • Gender • Lifestyle • Physical activity level

  26. MSDs are caused by • Bending • Climbing • Crawling • Reaching • Twisting • Overexertion • Repetitive Exposure

  27. Environment Risk Factors • Heat or cold • Lighting • Vibration • Tool design • Noise

  28. Activity Risk Factors • Static or awkward postures • Improper gripping • Improper lifting • Repetitive Motion

  29. Lighting • Under & over lighted areas causes: • Headaches • Muscle strains • Fatigue • Eye strain • Poorly lighted areas also contributes to trip & fall hazards & poor coordination

  30. Noise • Noise peaks above 100 decibels cause: • Headaches • Increased blood pressure • Muscle tension & fatigue • Irritability& distraction

  31. Posture • Prolonged standing - varicose veins, back stress, pooling of blood in legs • Sitting without back support - low back stress • Seat too high - decreased circulation, (legs dangling over end) bruises

  32. Posture • Shoulders rounded - Upper/lower back stress, respiratory distress • Leaning forward - Lower back stress • Arms extended or over-reaching  - Stress to arm muscles, upper back stress

  33. Posture • Elbows "winged" - Joint stress at shoulder, poor use of bicep muscles • Stepping backwards - Loss of balance, displaced gravity, muscle stress • Locking knees - Stress to back of knee, poor blood circulation • Bent Wrist – excessive force when gripping

  34. Repetition • Frequent & prolonged repetition of the same movements cause muscle fatigue and stress • Factors that increase repetition hazards • Number of cycles per minute • Force required • Posture

  35. Gripping • Factors that increase gripping hazards • Bent wrist • Surface area • Surface friction • Vibration • Type of grip

  36. Lifting • Factors that increase lifting hazards • Weight • Size • Repetition • Twisting • Bending • Reaching • Method

  37. Hazard Controls • Engineering Controls • Work Practice Controls

  38. Engineering Controls • Re-design of work station • Re-design of tools • Lighting modification • Vibration control • Noise Control • Automation • Mechanical Lifting • Material Flow

  39. Work Practice Controls • Work techniques & procedures • Conditioning period • Training Lifting techniques • Personal Protective Equipment

  40. Hazard Identification • Reports of signs, symptoms & hazards • Recommendations from employees & supervisors • Records review of existing safety & health records • Routine facility safety & health inspections

  41. Information & Training • Signs & symptoms • Importance of early reporting • Specific hazards & controls • Reporting MSDs & hazards • How to recommend control methods • Protective Measures • Ergonomics program & their role

  42. Employee Involvement • Report of signs, symptoms & hazards • Hazard control recommendations • Access to information

  43. Recordkeeping • Reports of MSD or hazards • Responses to employee reports • Job hazard analysis • Hazard control records • Ergonomics program evaluation • MSD management records

  44. A Typical Workday

  45. Controlling MSDs Step 2 – • Fit the workstation to you.

  46. Adjusting Seat Height • Knees and hips should be level. • Feet should be flat on the floor or footrest. • Back of knees should not come in direct contact with the front of the seatpan.

  47. Seat Back • Support your low back using the chair’s backrest. • The curve of the backrest should match the curve of your low back.

  48. Arm Rests • Adjust to lightly support arms. • Use only for breaks or non keying/mousing activities. • Lower arm rests slightly for typing or mousing.

  49. Variable Back Stop • Slight reclining gives the spine a rest. • Keep the buttocks back, don’t slouch. Not all chairs have this feature

  50. Seat Tension • Turn knob or adjust lever under the chair. • Adjust tension to body weight. • Soft enough to recline. • Firm enough to support you. Not all chairs have this feature

More Related