Ergonomics

Industrial

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Session Objectives
You will be able to:
Understand the principles of ergonomics
Recognize the risk factors, signs, and
symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders
(MSDs)
Understand our program for identifying,
reporting, and controlling MSDs
Know how to protect yourself from MSD
injuries and reduce your risk

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What Is Ergonomics?
Modify jobs to fit

capabilities of people
Reduce MSDs
Repetitive reaching,
forceful exertions,
bending and lifting, or
working with vibrating
equipment

Engineering controls
Safe work practices
PPE
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Musculoskeletal Disorder
(MSD) Injuries
1.8 million MSD

injuries each year

600,000 MSD injuries

require time away from

work

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OSHA Regulation
Of
Ergonomics
of Ergonomics
General Duty Clause
Applies to unregulated hazards
Failure to keep a hazard-free workplace
Hazard recognized by employer or
employers industry
Hazard could cause death or serious harm
Method exists to correct the hazard

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MSD-Type Injuries
Repetitive Placing,
Grasping, or
Moving Objects
20%
Repetitive
Use of Tools
Typing or
Key Entry

8%
9%

Repetitive Motion
63%

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Characteristics of MSDs
Occur from a single event or many small injuries
Take weeks, months, or years to develop
Produce no symptoms in early stages, but show
symptoms after injury has occurred
Contributing causes may occur at home
and at work
Same MSD may differ in severity from person to
person doing a similar task

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General Signs of MSDs

Less strength for gripping
Less range
of motion
Loss of
muscle function
Inability to do
everyday tasks

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MSD Symptoms
Back and neck

shooting pain, stiffness

Shoulderspain,
stiffness, loss of mobility
Arms and legs
shooting pains,
numbness
Elbow and knee joints
pain, swelling, stiffness,
soreness

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MSD Symptoms (cont.)

Hands and wrists

swelling, numbness,
loss of strength
Fingersjerking
movements, or loss
of strength, mobility, and
feeling
Thumbspain at
the base
Feet and toes
numbness, tingling,
stiffness, burning
sensation
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Outward Signs of MSDs

Swelling or

inflammation of joints
Vigorously
shaking hands
Massaging hands,
wrists, or arms
Cradling arms
Limping
Stiff back

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Common MSDs
Carpal tunnel

syndrome
Low back pain
Eye strain
Tendinitis
Trigger finger
Image Credit: Cal OSH & NIOSH

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Common MSDs (cont.)

De Quervains disease

forceful grip
Carpet layers knee
contact trauma
Rotator cuff tendinitis
repetitive motion
Herniated disk
bending and twisting
Hand-arm vibration
syndrome

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Act on the Signs of MSD

Act immediately:
Report the problem
Seek medical attention
Early treatment and
intervention can
prevent permanent
injury

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What Do You Think?

Employee experiences
severe back pain often.
1. What do you think
is causing this
employees pain?
2. How can this be
improved?

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What Is Causing the Pain?

Possibilities:
Repetitive lifting
of heavy objects
Twisting while lifting
Poor lifting techniques
Lifting above shoulders
Single lifting injury
Poor conditioning

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What Can Be Done?

Use lifting aids
Dont twist
Lift using your legs, not

your back
Use a stool or stepladder
Dont overdo it
Keep your back in shape

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Check Your Knowledge

Which of these are MSD symptoms?

Tingling
Racing heart
Pain
Numbness
Loss of
muscle function

Dizziness

Excessive cough
Stiffness

Swelling of joints

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MSDsAny Questions?
Do you understand

what MSDs are and

the signs and
symptoms of MSDs?

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Risk Factors
That Lead to MSDs
Repetitive motions
Forceful exertions
Awkward postures
Contact stress
(pressure points)
Vibrations
Using tools not
ergonomically
designed

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Risk Factor
Repetitive Motion
Stress on muscles and
tendons
Contributing factors

Duration and speed of

repetitious movement
Number of muscles
involved
Required force

Raising and lowering the

arm over and over again

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Forceful Exertions
Inflammation of

tendons, nerves, joints

Contributing factors

Type of grip
Weight of object
Body posture
Type and duration of the
task

Image Credit: OSHA

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Awkward Postures
Stress on muscles

and tendons
Contributing factors
Reaching overhead
Force the body must
maintain to hold the
position
Holding fixed positions
(static loading)

Lifting while twisting,

reaching, or turning

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Contact Stress
Pressing against or

grabbing a hard object

puts pressure on
nerves, tendons,
and blood vessels
Contributing factors
Repetition
Duration of contact
Grip strength required

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Vibration
Affects tendons,

muscles, joints, nerves

Contributing factors
Prolonged grip
Restricts blood supply
to hands and fingers
Tools without vibration
dampening device
Poor power tool
maintenance

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MSDs Related
To Risk Factors
De Quervains disease

Repetition

Trigger finger

Posture

Rotator cuff syndrome

Forceful Grip

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Contact Stress

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Prolonged Vibration

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Can You Identify

The Risk Factors?

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Can You Identify

The Risk Factors? (cont.)
Risk Factors
Repetitive motion
Lifting or reaching
awkward position
excessive weight
arms raised

MSDs
Torn tendon
Tendinitis
Back pain

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MSD Risk Factors

Any Questions?
Do you understand

MSD risk factors and

hazards?

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Ergonomics Management
Job assessment
MSD reporting and response system
Designated coordinator
Training
Encourage employee participation and
reporting of MSDs

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Identifying and
Controlling MSD Hazards
Determine whether

MSD hazards exist and

degree of risk
Devise a control
strategy with your input
Implement control
measures
Training

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Control Methods
Install engineering controls including

workstation layout and proper tools

Institute work practice controls including neutral
postures for performing tasks
Administrative controls including rescheduling
to reduce frequency or duration of exposure
to MSDs
Personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide
a protective barrier between worker and MSD

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How to Protect Yourself

Change positions often;

take stretch breaks

Maintain neutral posture
whenever possible
Eliminate or reduce
MSD risk factors
Use material-handling
aids
Report MSD symptoms

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MSD Prevention and

ControlAny Questions?
Do you think you

understand what you

need to know about the
methods to manage,
prevent, and control
MSDs?

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Key Points to Remember!

Recognize MSD signs and symptoms
Understand MSD hazards
Take steps to control MSD hazards
Participate in the Ergonomics Program

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