Ergonomic Hazards Workbook

1 Identifying and Addressing Ergonomic Hazards Workbook This material was produced under grant number SH-24933-SH3 (and revised under SH-26296-SH4) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Government. Midwest Worker Center Ergonomic Training Project 1 Table of Contents Participant Agenda .. 2 How do workers get hurt at work? .. 3 What is ergonomics .. 4 What are Musculoskeletal Disorders r MSDs?.

2 4 Symptoms of MSDs .. 7 Ergonomic Risk Factors .. 8 Some ways to reduce Ergonomic risks .. 9 Analyzing your work station & identifying solutions .. 13 Taking Action .. 15 What are the advantages of ergonomics .. 16 Solutions to common barriers .. 16 Workers Rights under the OSH Act .. 17 What is OSHA? .. 17 What is OSHA s mission? .. 17 What workers are covered under the OSH Act .. 18 Your Five Basic Rights under OSHA .. 19 Employer Responsibilities under the OSH Act .. 27 Produced by the Midwest Worker Center Ergonomic Training Project (MWCETP) The MWCETP is a partnership made up of three worker centers in the upper Midwest: Voces de la Frontera (Milwaukee, WI), ARISE Chicago and The Workers Rights Center (Madison, WI).

3 2 Participant Agenda Identifying and Addressing Ergonomic Hazards General Industry 1. Pre Test & Introductions 10 minutes 2. How do workers get hurt at work? 10 minutes 3. What is ergonomics? 5 minutes 4. What are Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs? 5 minutes 5. Ergonomic Risk Factors-repetition, awkward posture, forceful motion, stationary position, direct pressure, vibration , extreme temperature, noise, and work stress 5 minutes 6. Some ways to reduce risk 10 minutes 7. Analyzing your work station & identifying solutions-Small groups 20 minutes 10 minutes break 8. Report back 5 minutes 9. Taking Action 15 minutes 10.

4 Workers Rights under the OSH Act 15 minutes 11. Employer Responsibilities under the OSH Act 5 minutes 10. Post Test & Evaluation 5 minutes 3 How Do People Get Hurt at Work? Take a few minutes to write down all the different ways that people can get hurt at work. 4 What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to workers instead of trying to get the worker to fit the job. It focuses on designing workstations, tools & work tasks for safety, efficiency and comfort. Ergonomics seeks to decrease fatigue and injuries, along with increasing comfort, productivity, job satisfaction and safety, because work injuries are not inevitable and a well-designed job should not hurt you.

5 Ergonomics is important because when you re doing a job and your body is stressed by an awkward posture, extreme temperature, or repeated movement your musculoskeletal system is affected. Your body may begin to have symptoms such as fatigue, discomfort, and pain, which can be the first signs of a musculoskeletal disorder. What are Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs? Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs are cumulative and chronic injuries of the soft tissue-muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, and blood vessels. The body has limits and can fail or wear out when abused or misused. MSDs are defined as injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves and discs that are caused or aggravated by our actions and/or environment that does not follow safe and healthy work practices.

6 A well-known MSD is carpal tunnel syndrome which occurs when the nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand - houses the 5 median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed resulting in pain, weakness, loss of grip or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Muscles provide power for you to move your body parts. Tendons are pulleys that attach muscle to bone, helping move body parts.

7 Ligaments connect bone to bone-stabilizing the joints. Source: Source: Source: 6 Joints are the connections between bones. Nerves carry messages between the brain and other parts of the body . Discs act as shock absorbers and cushions for the spine. Source: Source: Source: 7 Symptoms of MSDs Pain Weakness Stiffness Sensitivity Swelling Burning sensation Tingling Drowsiness Difficulty moving Clumsiness 8 Ergonomic Risk Factors The following are factors for developing an MSD. Force Heaving lifting Push or pull Carrying Gripping Awkward or prolonged postures Repetitive activities Overhead work Contact stress vibration Ergonomic risk factors are workplace situations that cause wear and tear on the body and can cause injury.

8 These include repetition, awkward posture, forceful motion, stationary position, direct pressure, vibration , extreme temperature, noise, and work stress. Multiple factors increases the risk of developing MSD (muscular skeleton disorder) Source: Ergo Advantages, Oregon OSHA, 9 Some Ways to Reduce Ergonomic RisksEngineering Improvements. Engineering improvements include rearranging, modifying, redesigning, or replacing tools, equipment, workstations, packaging, parts, or products. These improvements can be very effective because they may reduce or eliminate contributing factors. (For example, if your job requires sitting for long periods of time, having an adjustable seat or foot stool so that your knees are higher than your hips helps protect your lower back.)

9 Administrative Improvements. Administrative improvements include changing work practices or the way work is organized. Providing variety in jobs Adjusting work schedules and work pace Providing recovery time ( , muscle relaxation time) Modifying work practices Ensuring regular housekeeping and maintenance ofwork spaces, tools, and equipment Encouraging exercisePersonal Protective Equipment. Safety gear, or personal protective equipment (PPE), includes gloves, knee and elbow pads, footwear, and other items that employees wear. In the whole group, small groups or pairs identify and write in specific examples of the listed Ergonomic risks and possible solutions for each risk.

10 Risk: Repetition Definition: Same motion over and over. What are some workplace examples of this? Possible Solutions? Source: Ergonomic Training for General Industry, Asian Immigrant Women Advocates, 2009 10 Risk: Awkward posture Definition: Prolonged bending, reaching, kneeling, squatting or twisting What are some workplace examples of this? Possible Solutions? Risk: Forceful motion Definition: Excessive effort needed to do tasks such as pulling, pounding, pushing, and lifting What are some workplace examples of this? Possible Solutions? Risk: Stationary position Definition: Staying in one position too long, causing fatigue in muscles and joints What are some workplace examples of this?