Ergonomic Guidelines for Common Job Functions …

1 Ergonomic Guidelines for CommonJob Functions within The Telecommunications industry Prepared by the National Telecommunications Safety Panel Ergonomics Subcommittee Issued November 2007 Disclaimer This document has been developed by Safety representatives from major telecommunications companies across the United States as a guideline for Ergonomics in the telecommunications industry . This guideline is based on our collective experiences and is intended to assist telecommunications companies in developing their own ergonomics program. Any adoption of these Guidelines is made at the users own discretion and volition and in doing so the users are forewarned that the Guidelines are not guaranteed to reduce and / or prevent Ergonomic illnesses. Companies in our industry are free to adopt or reject this guideline. Neither the adoption nor the rejection of this guideline shall be construed as an admission that our industry has an Ergonomic issue. No third party shall have the right to enforce or benefit from this guideline.

2 No third party may force any company within our industry to adopt or reject this guideline for any purpose (s). Furthermore, the guideline lacks the force of law and may not be used against our industry by any regulatory agency. This document is not intended to be construed as a recommendation to any manufacturer to modify or change any of its products to conform to the guideline. This document does not represent any commitment by the developers to purchase any product, whether or not it provides the described characteristics of this guideline. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise any license or right under any patent, whether or not the use of any information herein necessarily employs an invention of any existing or later issued patent. The developers of this document do not recommend products and nothing contained herein is intended as a recommendation of any product to anyone. Special thanks to the Developers of this Document John Quinlan * Verizon Marie Robinson * AT&T Eric Allgaier Sprint Nextel Lynn Alpaugh AT&T Frank Bannister Sprint Nextel Marshall Berry AT&T Art Farmer Cincinnati Bell Kathy Turner AT&T Laura Kiser AT&T * Co-Chairs Table of Contents Introduction A - 1 Ergonomics Program Elements B - 1 Outside Plant Environment C - 1 Handling

3 Extension Ladders C - 2 Handling Lashing Machine C - 5 Removing and Replacing a Manhole Cover C - 7 Splicing Cable C - 10 Placing Equipment into and out of a Manhole C - 13 Handling Cable Reels C - 15 Collecting Coin Boxes C - 17 Pole Climbing C - 20 Power Tools C - 23 Jack Hammer C - 26 Handling Equipment in Aerial Operations C - 30 Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders C - 33 Sawing a Utility Pole C - 36 Shoveling C - 39 Driving a Vehicle C - 43 Central Office Environment

4 D - 1 Wire Wrapping / Unwrapping D - 2 Wire Stripping D - 5 Working on a Ladder in the Central Office D - 8 Handling Wire Reels D -11 Pushing and Dragging Material D -13 Kneeling while Working D -16 Climbing a Ladder in the Central Office D -18 Office Environment E 1 Typing E - 2 Mousing and Alternative Input Devices E - 8 Sitting E - 14 Reaching E - 19 Phone Use E - 23 Viewing Monitor E 27 Writing in a computer environment E 32

5 Using a Laptop Computer E 39 Retail Environment F - 1 Wireless Retail Operations F - 2 Glossary of Terms G - 1 Appendices Alliance Between OSHA and the National Telecommunications Safety Panel (NTSP) Related website OSHA News Release National Telecommunications Safety Panel Aligns with OSHA Exercises for the Office Environment A - 1 Introduction Background This document has been developed by the National Telecommunications Safety Panel (NTSP) Ergonomics Subcommittee.

6 The NTSP is a consortium of safety professionals representing the telecommunications industry whose goal is to promote employee safety and health while preventing on the job injuries. The NTSP Ergonomics Subcommittee brought forth their knowledge and experiences to develop a set of Guidelines that are intended to assist other telecommunications companies in developing their own ergonomics program. This significant industry effort began in 2000 and is considered an iterative process whereby the document will continue to be revised and expanded upon as new information becomes available. The guideline provides information pertaining to the science of ergonomics and its impact on the telecommunications industry . It is organized into 4 main sections by work type within the telecommunications industry ; Outside Plant Environment, Central Office Environment, Office Environment, and Retail Environment. Each section is further organized by Common job Functions within the industry and describes various work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk factors and strategies for reducing or mitigating hazards.

7 Also included in the document are a Glossary of Terms, information on the NTSP/OSHA Alliance, and recommended exercises for the office environment. Introduction Ergonomics is the study of the way people, their equipment, tools, and the environment work together. Ergonomics seeks to adapt the environment in order to ensure people s productivity, comfort, and safety. The word ergonomics comes from the Greek word ergon meaning work, and nomos meaning laws. In other words, ergonomics literally means the laws of work. One type of injury that may be avoided by eliminating risk factors in the work environment is a Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD) or Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD). WMSDs refer to disorders of the soft tissues, including those of the muscles, tendons, and nerves. WMSDs are associated with repeated exertions, or movements of the body, awkward postures, and extreme force. WMSD risk factors can be found in activities both on and off the job, and can lead to muscle fatigue.

8 Fatigue commonly leads to discomfort, and to a reduction in endurance, strength, and muscle control. The differentiating factor between a WMSD and another type of injury is the acuteness of the injury. Acute trauma refers to injuries that occur immediately such as cuts, bruises, and falls. Some cumulative trauma injuries may appear to be sudden, but can be the result of chronic exposure to WMSD risk factors over time. Exposure to WMSD risk factors can be correlated with the development of WMSDs. These WMSD risk factors are not necessarily causative, but research has shown an association or relationship. The mere presence of a WMSD risk factor does not necessarily constitute the development of a WMSD. It is theorized that the likelihood of A - 2 developing a WMSD is greater with a higher exposure to a greater number of risk factors. WMSD Risk Factors Listed below are examples of potential WMSD risk factors. WMSD Risk Factors Description Static Posture Maintaining a stationary position for extended periods of time.

9 Such as standing in place or holding the arm away from the body. Awkward Posture Any fixed or constrained body positions other than neutral alignment. Neutral posture occurs when the natural tensions of the muscles are relaxed. If an extreme posture is sustained or combined with high forces, it can place a person at a greater risk of injury. Repetition High numbers of similar body part movements. Repetitive motion can combine with fatigue, force and posture to increase the risk of injury. Forceful Exertion Excessive force or strength used to perform a job, as in gripping or lifting. Force can be applied by an object to a body part, or internally within the body such as compression of the discs of the back. Contact Stress Long-term pressure on soft tissue and underlying nerves, such as the palm or forearm. Excessive Vibration Vibrations are most commonly transmitted to workers through tools, controls, or contact with vibrating work surfaces. Vibration primarily affects circulation and nerve function.

10 Extreme Cold Temperatures Cold is typically transmitted to the person from tools, work surfaces, and the environment. The primary effect of cold is that it triggers the body s natural response to reduce circulation to the affected area. Work Structure A person s work structure is defined by job factors such as organization design, job design, incentive systems, and management policies and styles. Research has shown that these variables can affect the incidence of WMSDs. Non-occupational Activities Non-occupational activities can sometimes expose a person to many of the risk factors described above. Individual Factors Certain medical conditions and anatomical differences are known to increase an individual s risk of developing a WMSD. A - 3 Principles of Good Body Mechanics One of the ways we can enhance safety is by using our own bodies as effectively and efficiently as possible through the use of the principles of good body mechanics. Here are some general tips to keep in mind: Maintain the natural curves of your back/spine Pay particular attention to the normal inward curve of your lower back (the lumbar region) Keep your arms as close to your body as possible Hold the weight close to your body and at waist height Remember to keep elbows in and palms up (or in neutral) to stabilize the shoulder joint Avoid trunk twisting Move your feet by pivoting or side-stepping Keep in mind that if your shoulders are not positioned in the same plane as your hips, your trunk is twisted of Support Place your feet shoulder width apart and staggered (one slightly in front of the other) Use the large muscles of your legs and buttocks to generate the force for movement.