Ergonomics in the Workplace

1. Ergonomics in the Workplace Presented By: John P. Golding Superintendent NVCC – P&DS

2. Prepared By:Commonwealth of VirginiaOffice of Workers’ Compensation • Michelle Allen, Return to Work Coordinator • Kristie McClaren, Loss Control Specialist

3. Agenda • What are Musculoskeletal Disorders and Cumulative Trauma Injuries? • What is Ergonomics and How can it help prevent MSD’S? • Ergonomics Assessments • Workstation Ergonomics • Proper Lifting • Stretching • Proactive Ergonomics • Return to work issues/ Assistive Technology

4. National Statistics • According to Bureau of Labor Statistics • In 1997 there were 276,000 cumulative trauma disorders reported in the workforce. • More than 620,000 lost work days due to Musculoskeletal disorders each year. • MSD’s + 34% of all lost work day injuries and illnesses. • $1 out of every $3 spent on workers’ comp claims goes to MSD’s ($15 – 20 Billion) • Dr. Michael McDonald - VCU

5. Musculoskeletal Disorders • Stress to muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage or spinal discs beyond their ability to recover. • Not typically the result of any specific event, but rather from gradual onset. • Range from mild and intermittent to debilitating and chronic. • Strains and sprains are most common type of MSD. • CDC-NIOSH

6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tendonitis Tenesynovitis Epicondylitis Shoulder Impingement Strains & sprains Neck & back pain Bursitis Neuritis Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Common Workplace MSD’s

7. Cumulative Trauma Disorders[A.K.A. Repetitive Strain Injuries] • Caused by: • Repetitive motions of the affected body part and also can have environmental and internal risk factors {Carpal Tunnel Syndrome} • Performing tasks of reaching, grasping, pinching, typing.ect.

8. Fatigue or pain Aching Burning Numbness Stiffness Tingling VA DOL SAFETY OFFICE Symptoms

9. Decreased Range of Motion Decreased Grip Strength Loss of Function Loss of Balance Deformity Swelling Cramping Redness Loss of Color Change in Skin Temperature VA DOL SAFETY OFFICE Signs

10. When to Suspect MSD’s Discomfort: * Goes away with rest * Gets worse while performing an activity. * Gets better when the activity is avoided.

11. So what isERGONOMICS? Ergonomics is the science of fitting the work environment to the capabilities of the worker.

12. How Can an Ergonomics ProgramHELP? • Decrease risk of injury and illness • Enhance productivity • Improve quality of work life. • www.ergoweb.com/resources/faq

13. Ergonomic Assessment • Attending physician or physical therapist writes a prescription for an ergonomic assessment of the work area OR an employee requests a change in work station due to discomfort/pain. • The evaluator measures the physical demands and essential functions of the position along with the work area. • The evaluator can make modifications to the physical demands/worksite to promote the work as therapy model{lifting, twisting, reaching, bending, stooping, ect.

14. Reason for ErgonomicAssessment • Attending physician will not release the employee to work due to the worksite. • Attending physician has released the employee but the work is impacting recovery. • Attending physician has released the employee to a new work area. • Employee has complaints of musculoskeletal nature.

15. Beginning the Process • What are the essential/marginal functions of the positions? • What does the employee need in order to perform the essential functions of the position? • What is the nature of the employee’s injury? • What are the employee’s current physical capabilities? • Can assistive technology/ergonomics meet these need? • What is the most cost-effective solution?

16. Workstation Ergonomics • Avoid overcrowded work stations. • Organize desktops so that frequently used items are within easy reach. • Avoid twisting the body or neck while using a computer. • Monitor top just below eye level • Avoid glare on monitor screen. • Hands and wrists in “Neutral” position. • Desktop 3 to 5 inches above thighs. • Footrests, gel wrist rests for comfort. • Take stretch breaks.

17. Mail Operations Special Concerns • Length of Time Spent Standing • Specific Job Task – Lifting, Stretching, Pushing, Pulling, Sitting, Typing. • Measurements of the workstation. • Weight of mail and equipment used. • Repetitive movement, especially backs and upper bodies. • Ingress/Egress Hazards.

18. What to Do? • Provide safety/ergonomics training on the 1st day of work and 2 to 4 times per year thereafter. • Rotate employees frequently and allow for breaks and exercises. • Practice good housekeeping. • Use Powered Industrial Trucks to move bulk mail containers and all purpose containers.

19. Top 5 Body Parts • Lumbar Spine • Wrist/Hand • Shoulder • Knee • Neck

20. Back Impairment • #1 workplace safety problem according to OSHA • 2% of all Americans have back impairments • 80% of all Americans will experience back impairments during their existence. • Performing tasks of lifting, carrying, placing holding or lowering can contribute to back impairments • www.jan.wvu.edu

21. Lumbar Strain • Definition: Stretching of muscles in lumbar region • Treatment: Rest for 24 – 48 house, anti-inflammatory medications, return to transitional duty, physical therapy • Rehabilitation: • Mild – 1 week • Moderate –1 to 3 weeks • Severe – 6 to 12 weeks

22. Wrist Sprain • Definition: Stretching of ligaments in wrist. Can involve more than one ligament. • Treatment: Casting, taping, PT, surgery • Rehabilitation: Depends on diagnosis • Grade I – No functional Impairment, tearing of fibers ( 2 to 6 weeks) • Grade II – Rupture of ligament, functional loss (6 to 8 weeks) • Grade III – Complete ligament rupture or separation from bone {Surgery} – (8 to 10 weeks) • www.healthgate.com

23. Shoulder Injuries • Definition: Shoulder impingement Syndrome – can include bursitis, tendonitis, rotator cuff swelling or tearing • Treatment: PT, medications, cortisone medications, arthroscopy surgery • Rehabilitation: Careworks Acute Healing Guidelines • Mild Shoulder Strain – 1 week • Moderate Shoulder Strain – 1 to 3 weeks • Severe Shoulder Strain – 3 to 6 weeks • Partial Rotator Cuff Tear – 6 to 8 weeks • Complete Rotator Cuff Tear – 3 to 6 months • www.medfacts.com

24. Knee Contusions • Definition: meniscal tear most often/also common are Medial collateral sprains (Grades I – II & III) • Treatment: Ice, Physical therapy and surgery • Rehabilitation: • Mild knee strain – 1 week • Moderate – 1 t 3 weeks • Severe – 3 to 6 weeks • Meniscal Partial Tear – 3 to 4 weeks • Meniscal Complete Tear – 6 to 8 weeks • www.medfacts.com

25. Neck Strain • Definition: Stretching ligaments in neck area – whiplash • Treatment: Traction, PT, anti-inflammatory medications, rest, surgery • Rehabilitation: • Grade I – tearing of some ligaments (2to 6 weeks) • Grade II – Rupture of a ligament portion (6 to 8 weeks) • Grade III – Complete rupture of a ligament (8 to 10 weeks) • www.healthgate.com

26. Lifting Techniques • Basic Lift • Power Lift • Tripod Lift • Partial Squat Lift • Golfer’s Lift • Pivot Technique

27. Lifting Materials • Reduce the lifting load if possible • Utilize grips on the containers which allow the object to be close to the body • Convert the lifting to a push/pull motion • Utilize mechanized equipment to lift the materials • Elements of Ergonomics/Programs/NIOSH

28. Pushing / Pulling • Eliminate the push/pull motion with mechanical assistance • Reduce the force required to push/pull • Reduce the distance of the push/pull • Use a push rather than a pull • Elements of Ergonomics/Programs/NIOSH

29. Repetitive Motion withHands / Wrists • Reduce repetitions • Reduce force / pressure • Avoid reaching more than 15 inches • Utilize tools/equipment with limited vibration • Avoid extreme temperatures • Elements of Ergonomics/Programs/NIOSH

30. Whole-Body & Hand/ArmVibration • Can Cause: • Blurred Vision • Decrease in manual coordination • Drowsiness • Low back pain • Insomnia • Headaches or upset stomach • US-DH&HS-CDC

31. STRETCHES • WARM-UPS • BEFORE THE • BIG GAME

32. Being Proactive • Design tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting and equipment to eliminate potential injuries BEFORE they happen • Education • Safety Culture • Management Commitment

33. ADAAssistive Technology • Defined in Technology Act of 1988 as “Devices, services, and systems used to enhance, maintain, or improve the function or performance of people with disabilities.” • Or, better known as items which allow a person with a disability to work, live and play in their community setting.

34. Fitting the Worker to the Job • When researching Assistive Technology, look at each individual on a case-by-case basis. • Remember, not everyone will need Assistive Technology to meet their needs even though they have the same medical condition.

35. Work-related Injuries • Employer can suggest assistive technology based on employee’s physical limitations. • Employer can suggest assistive technology based on the employee’s position description and essential functions. • Employer will promote “Work as Therapy” model • Employer can include ergonomic issues: seating, utilizing desktop, ect.

36. Job Accommodation Network • 80% of job accommodations cost less than $500.00 • Assumptions about technology: • Can be cost effective – even at no cost. • Reduces injuries / re-injury / strain • Increases safety for employees • Allows persons with disabilities to participate in the work area

37. Sample Accommodations • Provide an ergonomically correct chair to an employee with a back injury - $400 • Provide hand controls on an automobile for a worker who has use of one arm - $150 • Provide a headset to an employee with a neck injury - $50 • Provide an adaptive lawnmower to a maintenance worker with paraplegia - $800 • Provide a “Buddy” to assist with lifting - $0

38. Questions?