OSHAcademy Course 711

Introduction to
ERGONOMICS
TRAINER NAME
Position
Company
Phone Number
Email Address
 Objectives

Given the information and exercises in this workshop, you will be able
to:

1. Identify the costs of ergonomics injuries,

2. Clearly define the activities involved in ergonomics,

3. Apply the concepts of ergonomics modeling to hazard recognition,

4. Recognize the factors that influence ergonomics,

5. Understand and apply the guidelines for safe lifting,

6. Be familiar with back injury reduction strategies.

Form Groups!

Introductions

Elect a leader ______________________

Select a spokesperson ______________________

Name your group ______________________

What Is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is a way of designing workstations,

work practices, and work flow to accommodate
the capabilities of workers.

Ergonomic design reduces risk factors known

to contribute to occupational ergonomic injuries
and illnesses, such as sprains and strains and
cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs).
What Is Ergonomics?

The Study of the problems of people in

adjusting to their environment; especially the
science that seeks to adapt work or working
conditions to suit the individual worker.

Ergonomics may also be thought of as the

science of fitting the job to the individual
worker.
When there is a mismatch between the
physical requirements of the job and the
physical capacity of the worker,
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can result.
 Instructor Demonstration

On your own...

Make a list of anything that the instructor did that you

believe could result in an injury to the back.

What did you see?

 What do accidents cost your company?
Unknown
Costs Direct
Insured Costs

Indirect Costs
Uninsured
Out of pocket
Factors that Influence ergonomics
The
Worker

The Work The Work

Setting Environment
 What are worker attributes that may
be important considerations for
manual material handling?

size strength
weight intellect
fitness education
range of motion expectations
 What are work (job/task) characteristics
that may be important considerations for
manual material handling?

tools work benches

machines conveyors
materials other
display panels
 What are work environmental characteristics
that may be important considerations for
manual material handling?

noise temperature
lighting humidity
vibration
atmosphere
 Work Risk Factors

List risk factors associated with the interaction

between worker and the work setting:

posture duration
force/grip repetition
location frequency
speed exertion
 Work Risk Factors

List risk factors associated with the interaction

between the worker and the work
environment:
heat stress stress
cold stress workhours
whole body workload
vibration
segmental
vibration
 Five Activities Involved in ergonomics
List ways to reduce risk factors associated with...

Lifting/Lowering

Pushing/Pulling

Twisting

Carrying

Holding
 True Confessions

Has anyone out there suffered from a

ergonomics injury?

Tell us about it...

 Ergonomic Models
1. Biomechanical Model
The Great Herniated Tomato Experiment

Imagine placing a tomato

between the palms of your
hands and applying direct
pressure. You could apply
enough force to cause the
tomato to burst.

Now , imagine doing the

same thing to another
tomato, but this time you
also twist your hands in
opposite directions.

What happens?
 The Arm-Lever Equation
Effort (E) Load (L)
Effort Distance (DE) Load Distance (DL)

2 inches
DE = _____ 22 inches
DL = _____
600 lbs.
E+L _____
50 lbs.
L ____
550lbs.
E ____

E x DE = L x DL
E/L = DL/DE
The following diagrams show the sources of force on L5 / S1 disc. It does
not address the impact of added forces during twist/bend lifting and
backward bending situations.

• Angle from upper vertical of trunk . . . . . A

• Angle from lower vertical of upper arm . .B
• Angle from upper vertical of lower arm . .C

B
Keep The Weight Close To The Body
 The Diagonal Lift

Squat, Head Up, Back Arched, Feet Spread One Foot

Ahead As You Lift
 The Power Lift

Partial Squat, Head Up, Back Arched, Feet

Spread One Foot Ahead As You Lift
Body Mechanics

Remember, it’s not how much you lift, but the technique you
use. Remember the four general lifting rules:

* Plan the lift.

* Both squat and stoop lifting is now considered

acceptable for jobs requiring repetitive lifting.
Body Mechanics

The term used to describe this is free form lifting. No matter

what type of lift is used, it is never permissible to exceed the
maximum acceptable load of the worker.

* Keep the load as close to the body as possible.

* Lift the load with a smooth body motion. (Avoid jerking)

* When turning, do not twist. Turn with the feet rather than
twisting of the trunk.
 Body Mechanics

Keep Back Arched When Lifting Plan Ahead, Test The Load
Keep Head and Shoulders Up Before Lifting.

What is so special about the What are your options if

way a weight lifter lifts? the load is too heavy?
2. Physiological Model
When a task requires more than 3 lifts per minute a
second model must be considered in addition to the
Biomechanical model.

This second approach presumes that the load is within

the physical strength of the worker. Note the following.

• A person’s endurance is primarily limited by the capacity of the

oxygen transport system.

• Increased metabolism demands an increase in the delivery

of oxygen and nutrients

• Energy cost, heart rate, blood pressure and blood lactate

are common physiological responses used to measure
physiological stress
 14

13

Weight 12
Lifted
11

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Frequency of Lifts (lifts/minute)
Effective Use of Muscles

For dynamic effort (work) the optimal

load is about 30% of maximum.

For static effort (work) the optimal load is

only about 10% of maximum.

Why is the optimal load under static effort so much

less?
 3. NIOSH Model

The NIOSH guidelines determine what the maximum

load should be, given the following characteristics:

• Weight of the object lifted.

• Position of load with respect to the body; starting and

ending point of horizontal and vertical distances.

• Frequency of lift.

• Duration of lift.
 NIOSH guidelines apply to loads which are
symmetrically balanced in front of the body.
(lb.) (Kg)

200 Body Interference

Limit
80

150 Hazardous
Lifting
60
Conditions
WEIGHT LIFTED

100
40 Functional Reach
Limit
Maximum
Permissible
50 Administrative Limit
20 Controls
Required
Action
Limit
Acceptable Lifting Conditions
0 0
0 20 40 60 80 (cm)

0 10 20 30 (in.)
HORIZONTAL LOCATION OF LOAD
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Develop at least five rules for safe lifting.

(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,

(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc., 4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
ergonomics Survey Exercise: Complete the survey for the following seven task.

The Golfer’s Lift

(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
Kneel When Working In A Low Position
(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
 Partial Squat Lift
(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
 Reaching With a Heavy Load
(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
 Back Unsupported
(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
Working Surface Too Low and Far Away
(Adapted from: The Saunders Group inc.,
4250 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318)
Materials handling guidelines

physical
1. Do not exceed the __________________ ability of the
worker doing the lifting.
recovery time for tasks that
2. Provide adequate ____________
require frequent lifting.
front
3. Provide easy access so the load is in ____________
of the person lifting.
twisting
4. Eliminate _____________ by changing the start or
end point of the lift.
knee
5. Put items to be lifted between ______________ and
shoulder
_______________ height.
 Materials handling guidelines

6. Provide ____________ cutouts

handles or ______________ to make
grasping easier, permit a closer lift, and allow items
to be carried near the body.
shape
7. Change an object’s ___________ to make it easier to
grasp.
weight
8. Decrease the __________of objects.
distance and/or _____________
9. Decrease the ____________ height
over which the object must be moved.
evenly within a container.
10. Distribute a load ___________
Materials handling guidelines

hand carts hand

11. Use hand carts or _____________ trucks
____________.
vacuum assisted hoist or integrated
12. Use a ___________-
conveyors.
loaders
13. Use ______________, cranes
______________ and
pallets to help move loads
motorized material __________
that are larger or heavier than one or two people can
safely handle.
Back Injury Reduction Plan

1. Employee Selection. Pre-employment

physical:

- including spinal exam and lift capacity;

- supervisor receives report prior to start of

work.
2. Education and Training. For management and
employees:

- Managers. Ergonomics and new hire policies;

responsibility and accountability; training
techniques; identification.

- Employees. New hire orientation including

body mechanics and proper lifting techniques,
responsibilities and accountability; follow-up
training with supervisor.
3. Ergonomics:

- Worksite ergonomics hazard analysis;

- Classification of physical work intensity:

Level 1. Sedentary
Level 2. Low Activity
Level 3. Active
Level 4. Very Active
4. Injury Management:

- Review injury reports

- Recommend corrective actions

- Early Return to Work Program. Pre-approved

assignments.
 That's It.
Thanks for coming !