PMA Companies

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