WELCOME!WELCOME!

TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

OCCUPATIONALOCCUPATIONALERGONOMICSERGONOMICS

Go ErgoGo ErgoRisk Management Institute at COLLEGE Of The MAINLAND

AGENDAAGENDA8:00 – 8:10 Opening comments

8:10 – 8:30 Quiz

8:30 – 9:30 The Fundamentals of Ergonomics

9:30 – 9:40 Break

9:40 – 10:45 Anthropometrics & Anatomy

10:45 – 11:15 Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

11:15 – 11:25 Break

11:25 - 12:00 VIDEO

12:00 – 1:00 LUNCH

Stacy Rose, Loss Prevention ConsultantTexas Mutual Insurance Company

AGENDAAGENDA

1:00 – 2:20 Occupational Risk Factors

2:20 – 2:30 Break

2:30 – 3:15 Conducting An Ergonomics Review

3:15 – 4:00 Office Ergonomics

4:00 – 4:10 Break

4:10 – 5:00 Industrial Ergonomics

Stacy Rose, Loss Prevention ConsultantTexas Mutual Insurance Company

Stacy Rose, Loss Prevention ConsultantTexas Mutual Insurance Company

Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

Develop an understanding of work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Learn to identify ergonomic risk factors in the workplace Develop the knowledge necessary to conduct your own

ergonomics review

Learn how the principles of ergonomics apply to office & industrial environments

The Science of Ergonomics

Ergo 101

ObjectivesObjectives Introduce ergonomics & define common Introduce ergonomics & define common

termsterms

Review basic anatomyReview basic anatomy

Identify common musculoskeletal Identify common musculoskeletal disordersdisorders

Define scope of the problemDefine scope of the problem

Workplace SafetyWorkplace Safety

Electrical Safety

Fire Prevention

Hazard Communication

Personal Protective Equipment

Lockout/Tag-out

Chemical Safety

Asbestos Control

Confined Space

Medical & First Aid

Ergonomics Defined Early 1700’s, Ramazzini’s study of ill-effects of poor

posture & poorly designed tools on the health of workers

Greek Words “Ergon = work, Nomikos = law”Ergonomics Study of Work Laws

What Is Ergonomics?

Modern Definition

Science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands

to the capabilities of the working population

What Is Ergonomics?What Is Ergonomics?

Ergon – workNomos – laws of

Ergonomics is the laws of work that define the limits to human capability.

What Is Ergonomics?What Is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science of improving employee performance and well-being in relation to the

» job tasks,» equipment, and» the environment.

Ergonomics is…» a continuous improvement effort

to design the workplace for what people do well, and design against what people don’t do well.

What Is Ergonomics?What Is Ergonomics?Ergonomics is fitting the job to the person.

Applying Ergonomics

1. Study, research, & experimentation– Evaluate human traits/characteristics

we need to know for engineering design

2. Application & engineering– Design tools, machines, shelter,

environment, work tasks, and job procedures to fit and accommodate the human

Ergonomics

Human Machine

Work Environment

Utmost Goal: “Humanization” of Work

Design with “E & E”: Ease and Efficiency

The Basics of Ergonomics

INDUSTRIAL

ATHLETE

SKILL

WILL

COACHING

GREAT EQUIPMENT

Applications of ErgonomicsApplications of Ergonomics

AnatomyOrthopedicsPhysiologyMedicine

PsychologySociology

Industrial EngineeringBio-Engineering

Systems EngineeringSafety EngineeringMilitary Engineering

Computer-Aided Design

AnthropometryBiomechanics

Work PhysiologyIndustrial Hygiene

ManagementLabor Relations

Occupational Ergonomics

Optimize worker well-being Optimize productivity Minimize workplace stress factors Minimize medical/workers’

compensation costs

Increase Company Profitability

Occupational Factors Affecting The Worker……..

Physical HazardsChemical HazardsBiological Hazards

Physical Hazards

Heat Stress/Cold Stress Noise Illumination Ventilation Vibration Radiation Falling, Tripping, Slipping

Chemical Hazards

Liquids Solids Gases Dusts Fumes Mists Fibers

Biological Hazards

Needle Stick Injuries Blood Borne Pathogens AIDS Anthrax Tuberculosis Rabies Hepatitis

Where Does Ergonomics Fit Where Does Ergonomics Fit In?In?

Physical Hazards Chemical HazardsBiological Hazards

Ergonomics

Human Machine

Work Environment

Common Ergonomic Terms

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)

Repetitive Motion DisordersWork-Related Musculoskeletal

Disorders (WMSDs)

Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Bodily injuries or physical ailments that have developed gradually over periods of weeks, months, or even years as the result of repeated stresses on a particular body part

Source: (Erdil & Dickerson, 1997)

Repetitive Motion Disorders

A variety of muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities.

RMDs may be caused by:– overexertion – incorrect posture – muscle fatigue – compression of nerves or tissue – too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion – friction caused by an unnatural or awkward motion such as

twisting the arm or wrist

Source: (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke )

Examples of Repetitive Motion Disorders

Carpel tunnel syndrome DeQuervain’s disease Raynaud’s syndrome (white

finger) Tendinitis Tenosynovitis Trigger finger

Musculoskeletal Disorders

An MSD is an injury or illness of– Muscles– Nerves– Tendons– Ligaments– Joints– Cartilage– Spinal Discs

A - articular capsuleB - ligamentC - tendon (section view)D - muscleE - tendons

Anterior View: Muscles & Bones

Posterior View: Muscles & Bones

Musculoskeletal SystemMusculoskeletal System

“The Knee”

“Left Anterior Forearm”

Work-Related MSDs

Disorders where the work environment & performance of work

contribute significantly

Made worse or longer lasting by work conditions

Examples of WMSDsExamples of WMSDs

Lower Body– Low Back Pain– Back Strain– Disc Disorder– Degenerative Disc

Disorders– Sciatica– Knee Disorders– Foot Disorders

Examples of WMSDsExamples of WMSDs

Upper Body– Tension Neck Syndrome– Rotator Cuff Syndrome– Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)– Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)– Tendinitis– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome– DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis– Trigger Finger– Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

Common Physical Common Physical Injuries/IllnessesInjuries/IllnessesA - inflammation of the shoulder tendonsB - tennis elbowC - inflammation of the wrist tendonsD - lesion of the knee cartilageE - inflammation or tearing of the Achilles tendonF - spraining of the thigh musclesG - backache (due to a lesion of the ligaments or muscles)

Scope of ProblemScope of Problem

Why is Ergonomics Why is Ergonomics Important?Important?

FinancialFinancial HumanisticHumanistic RegulatoryRegulatory Public relationsPublic relations Employee/labor relationsEmployee/labor relations

$

Human

Regulatory AgenciesRegulatory AgenciesNational Institute for Occupational Safety & National Institute for Occupational Safety &

Health (NIOSH)Health (NIOSH)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)(OSHA)

Department of LaborDepartment of Labor

Workers’ Compensation Insurance CompaniesWorkers’ Compensation Insurance Companies

Bureau of Labor & Statistics

Number of Fatalities

Number of Non-Fatal Injuries & Illnesses

Lost Workday Cases

Injury and Illness Incident Rates

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of

labor economics and statistics.

Scope of the problemScope of the problem

Bureau of Labor & Statistics (BLS), Bureau of Labor & Statistics (BLS), 20022002

Total cases of non-fatal injuries and Total cases of non-fatal injuries and illnesses illnesses

4,700,6004,700,600

1,436,194 Cases Involved Days Away From Work

More about the injuries……More about the injuries……

Carpal tunnel Carpal tunnel syndromesyndrome cases had cases had more more median median days days away from work away from work (30)(30) than either than either fractures fractures (29) or amputations (29) or amputations (26)(26)

Source: BLS 2002

Musculoskeletal DisordersMusculoskeletal DisordersTotal musculoskeletal disorders 487.9 9 (1,000’s)Total musculoskeletal disorders 487.9 9 (1,000’s)

OccupationsOccupations NumberNumber Median Median Days AFWDays AFW

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 44.4 44.4 66

Truck drivers Truck drivers 36.836.8 1212

Laborers, nonconstruction Laborers, nonconstruction 24.9 24.9 88

Janitors and cleaners Janitors and cleaners 15.2 15.2 77

Assemblers Assemblers 15.2 15.2 1414

Construction laborers Construction laborers 11.1 11.1 1010

Registered nurses Registered nurses 10.8 10.8 66

Supervisors and proprietors, sales occupations Supervisors and proprietors, sales occupations 9.9 9.9 77

Cashiers Cashiers 9.3 9.3 88

Stock handlers and baggers Stock handlers and baggers 8.8 8.8 55

Sales workers, other commodities Sales workers, other commodities 7.8 7.8 77

Sprains, strains, and tears accounted for over 75.8% of the musculoskeletal disorders that resulted in days away from work in 2002.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome accounted for over 4.6% of the musculoskeletal disorders that resulted in days away from work in 2002.

More about the More about the injuries……injuries……

A majority of injured or ill workers were 20 to 44 years old

Workers 20 to 44 had a higher incidence of injuries or illnesses, while workers 45 and older had a lower incidence of injuries or illnesses than each of their hours worked shares suggest

More about the More about the injuries……injuries……

Two-thirds of the injured or ill workers were men, well above their 59 percent share of the nation’s hours worked.

Most workers (37.2%) had at least 1 to 5 years of service with their employer when they were injured or became ill.

More about the More about the injuries……injuries……

Workers’ Compensation Workers’ Compensation ClaimsClaims

Texas Mutual Claims for 2002Texas Mutual Claims for 2002

26,17526,175

For 3 month period, small business policyholders (premium less than $50,000):

Total Claims: 3,774

Strains 664 (18%)

Sprains 424 (11%)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 17 (0.45%)

Workers’ Compensation Workers’ Compensation CostsCosts

Total Claims: Total Claims: 3,7743,774

Total Dollar Loss:Total Dollar Loss: $28,103,240$28,103,240

StrainsStrains $5,044,619$5,044,619 $7,597$7,597

SprainsSprains $2,549,584$2,549,584 $6,013$6,013

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome $180,232$180,232$10,602$10,602

Total Incurred Cost Average Incurred Cost

Financial BurdenFinancial Burden

Source: Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, 2003; Published by The Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

In year 2001, serious workplace injury & illnesses cost $45.8 billion

Questions?Questions?