ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS

MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDER
ERGONOMIC RISK INDIVIDUAL RISK
FACTORS FACTOR
• FORCE • POOR WORK
• REPETITION PRACTICES
• POSTURE • POOR HEALTH
PROFILE
• NO RECOGNITION
OF EARLY
WARNING SIGNS
• There are three primary ergonomic risk
factors:
• 1.HIGH TASK REPETITION
• 2.FORCEFUL EXERTIONS
• 3.REPETITIVE / SUSTAINED AWKWARD
POSTURES
 Primary Ergonomic Risk
Factors
• RISK FACTOR: HIGH TASK REPETITION
• Many work tasks and cycles are repetitive in
nature, and are frequently controlled by hourly
or daily production targets and work
processes.
• High task repetition, when combined with
other risks factors such high force and/or
awkward postures, can contribute to the
formation of MSD. A job is considered highly
repetitive if the cycle time is 30 seconds or
less.
CONTROL METHODS FOR HIGH
TASK REPETITION
• Engineering Controls
• Eliminating excessive force and awkward posture
requirements will reduce worker fatigue and allow
high repetition tasks to be performed without a
significant increase in MSD risk for most workers.
• Work Practice Controls
• Providing safe & effective procedures for
completing work tasks can reduce MSD risk. In
addition, workers should be trained on proper
work technique and encouraged to accept their
responsibilities for MSD prevention.
• Job Rotation
• Job task enlargement is a way to reduce
duration, frequency and severity of MSD risk
factors. Workers can rotate between
workstations and tasks to avoid prolonged
periods of performing a single task, thereby
reducing fatigue that can lead to MSD.
• Counteractive Stretch Breaks
• Implement rest or stretch breaksto provide an
opportunity for increased circulation needed
for recovery.
 RISK FACTOR: EXCESSIVE
FORCE
• Many work tasks require high force loads
on the human body.
• Muscle effort increases in response to
high force requirements, increasing
associated fatigue which can lead to MSD.
 CONTROL METHODS FOR
EXCESSIVE FORCE
• Engineering Controls
• Eliminating excessive force requirements will reduce worker
fatigue and the risk of MSD formation in most workers. Using
mechanical assists, counter balance systems, adjustable
height lift tables and workstations, powered equipment and
ergonomic tools will reduce work effort and muscle exertions.
• Work Practice Controls
• Work process improvements such as using carts and dollies
to reduce lifting and carrying demands, sliding objects
instead of carrying or lifting, and eliminating any reaching
obstruction to reduce the lever arm required to lift the object.
• Proper Body Mechanics
• Workers should be trained to use proper lifting and work
techniques to reduce force requirements.
 RISK FACTOR: SUSTAINED
AWKWARD POSTURES
• Awkward postures place excessive force on
joints and overload the muscles and tendons
around the effected joint. Joints of the body
are most efficient when they operate closest
to the mid-range motion of the joint.
• Risk of MSD is increased when joints are
worked outside of this mid-range repetitively
or for sustained periods of time without
adequate recovery time.
 CONTROL METHODS FOR
SUSTAINED, AWKWARD POSTURES
• Engineering Controls
• Eliminate or reduce awkward postures
with ergonomic modifications that seek to
maintain joint range of motion to
accomplish work tasks within the
mid-range of motion positions for
vulnerable joints. Proper ergonomic tools
should be utilized that allow workers to
maintain optimal joint positions.
• Work Practice Controls
• Work procedures that consider and reduce
awkward postures should be implemented. In
addition, workers should be trained on proper
work technique and encouraged to accept their
responsibility to use their body properly and to
avoid awkward postures whenever possible.
• Job Rotation
• Job rotation and job task enlargement is a way to
reduce repeated and sustained awkward postures
that can lead to MSD.
• Counteractive Stretch Breaks
• Implement rest or stretch breaks to
provide an opportunity to counteract any
repeated or sustained awkward postures
and allow for adequate recovery time.
 HAZARD PREVENTION AND
CONTROL
• IDENTIFY SOLUTION
To identify a solution to any ergonomics problem, the
ergonomics subcommittee must first define the management
criteria for selecting an intervention method. These
management criteria may include:
–Solution effectiveness (e.g., is the risk factor eliminated by the
intervention, or to what degree is the risk factor eliminated?).
–Timeliness (e.g., how much time will it take to implement the
intervention?).
–Employee acceptance (this often determines the effectiveness
and success of the intervention).
–The cost of intervention (e.g., what is the cost of the
modifications under one intervention compared to the cost of
another intervention?).
 SELECT SOLUTION
• Based on the established management
criteria, the action team selects, prioritizes,
plans, and recommends an intervention
method to management and employees.
 IMPLEMENT SOLUTION
• The implementation of an intervention may
involve a test or prototype before full
implementation.
• Sample workstations or limited changes in
work methods can provide information
about potential problems and
modifications that may be needed.
 EVALUATE SOLUTION
• Once an appropriate intervention is in place, and over
time, the action team, under the direction of the
ergonomics subcommittee, reassesses the worksite to
see if the problem is solved.
• The action team could measure,among other things:
• · Reduced WMSD risk factors.
• · Reduced compensation costs.
• · Reduced absenteeism.
• · Reduced physical discomfort.
• · Increased productivity.
• · Increased workplace comfort.
THANK YOU