Ergonomics

Did you know?

Ergonomics is the science of matching work tasks to the body. Good ergonomics promotes designs or interventions to promote safe posture and less stress acting on the body for the purpose of improving productivity and decreasing musculoskeletal injury (MSI) associated with work practices.

What’s the hazard?  

A large percentage of time loss injuries are related to poor ergonomics such as poor working postures, repetitive motions, or excessive force.

 Hazards could be related to: 

• poor working postures, excessive physical and cognitive demands of the worker
• work set up including improper work heights, reaching zones, lighting, temperature in the environment
• duration, frequency, work rate and scheduling of tasks. Ideally, proper ergonomics should be incorporated in the design of a workplace rather than identifying and addressing hazards later.

What can happen?

Jill is designing a new office layout and purchasing office equipment for a call center. She purchases inexpensive chairs that look appealing and assumes the chairs will be adjustable to fit all the workers. She also purchases keyboard trays for all the desks that are not height adjustable. As workers start using the new equipment there are complaints of increasing discomfort in their back and neck. There is also an increase of workers taking time off work.

 Based on the scenario above, here are some questions that could be used to spark discussion: 

1. How could this situation have been prevented?

What precautions can be taken?

 Engineering controls 

Physical modifications to facilities, equipment, and processes can reduce risk factor for MSIs. Some question to consider:

•  Can mechanical lifting aids such as hoists, pallet jacks, carts, or conveyors be used instead of manual material handling? 
• Can the load be lifted within the range of knee to waist height?
• Can the vertical distance the load has to be lifted or lowered be shortened? Options may include limiting shelf height, and raising the worker.
• Can stooped or twisted positions be avoided by providing unrestricted work space, or arranging the workspace differently?
• Can the size of the load be made smaller? Options include ordering smaller containers, or having workers make two trips with smaller loads rather than one trip with a heavy load.
• Can carrying distance be shortened by changing the workflow?
• Can equipment or furniture be modified to eliminate or reduce awkward postures for workers?
• Can the workplace be modified to eliminate or reduce the need for lifting of heavy objects?

Administrative controls 

Changing work practices and work policies, awareness tools, and training can limit the risk of sprains and strains. Some questions to consider: 

• Can workers rotate between tasks involving different muscles, for example, stacking boxes and driving a forklift?
• Can workers use safe work procedures to minimize risk factors, for example, using neutral wrist posture while pushing a cart?
•  Can workers be trained to perform the tasks using neutral postures?
• Can storage space be organized so that heavy items are located between knee and waist height and light items above shoulder height?
• Can the task design be changed? Examples include changing a lifting task into a lowering task, or changing a carrying task to a pushing or pulling task.
• Can workers be given time to rest or recover when lifting or handling loads?
• Can work demands and work pace be balanced more effectively?

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) can only be used when engineering or administrative controls can’t be applied. Some questions to consider: 

• Do workers have suitable gloves that fit properly? For example, they may need padded, friction-enhanced or vibration-limiting gloves
• If workers are required to kneel, do they have knee pads or a kneeling pad?
• Do workers have warm clothing if they have to work in cold conditions?