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Deep South Center for Occupational

Health & Safety

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Occupational Ergonomics: Assessing

Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace

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Jerry Davis, PhD, CPE

Brian Carnahan, PhD

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Ergo Program
Manager

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Training
Tool

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Introduction to Ergonomics
Ergo ~ meaning work
Nomos ~ meaning laws
It is the study of people at work.

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Introduction to Ergonomics

Ergonomics Involves:
Work Force
Design Engineers
Industrial Engineers
Safety Professionals
Industrial Hygienists
Nurses and Physicians
Training Managers
Human Resource
Managers

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Definition

Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary activity that

assembles information on peoples capacities
and applies that information in designing
jobs, products, workplaces, and equipment.

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The Goal of Ergonomics

FIT THE TASK TO THE PERSON

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Compare the two..

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Compare the two..

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Current Emphases

Workplace Design
Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)
Prevention
Manual Material Handling (MMH)
Legislation & Regulation

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Logical Approach

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What is a Musculoskeletal
Disorder (MSD)?
Have you ever heard about any of these?

Historic Occupational Disorders

Bricklayers Shoulder
Carpenters Elbow
Stitchers Wrist
Telegraphists Cramp
Cotton Twisters Hand
Epidemiology: Principles and Methods

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What is a Musculoskeletal
Disorder (MSD)?

Do these disorders still exist?

Yes!

They are part of a broad category of injuries and

disorders called Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).
An MSD is an injury or disorder of the muscles,
nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs.*
Also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorders
(CTDs).

* Source:U.S.D eptofLabor

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What is a CTD?

Cumulative: Develop gradually over a period of time

(not acute)
Trauma: Bodily injury from mechanical stress
Disorders: Physical ailments or abnormal conditions

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Recent Statistics

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Recent MSD Statistics*

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MSDs cost employers $40-60 billion annually

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$75,000 - $115,000 in total cost per case

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Many ergonomic fixes can be implemented

for less than $150.

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* OSHA estimates

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Recent Statistics

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Pe rce nt M usculoske le tal Injurie s in Industry

T otal Injurie s: 1,537,567

O ther E vents

522,528 (34% )

M us c ulos k eletal
Dis orders

1,015,039
(66% )

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Source: BLS 2001

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Recent Statistics

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G e nde r (T otal Lost T ime Injurie s: 1,537,567)

516,842
(33.86% )

F em ales
M ales

1,009,499
(66.13% )

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Source: BLS 2001

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Recent MSD Statistics

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M ale s v s Fe male s (D istrib ution of M S D 's)

T otal M S D 's: 522,528

194,910
(37.30% )
324,935
(62.18% )

Source: BLS 2001

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F em ales
M ales

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Recent Statistics
Age

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All Injurie s

M S D's (% of a ll Injurie s)

P e rce nta ge of Tota l M S D's

Under 25

217,102

62,272 (29% )

12%

25-34

389,065

134,370 (35% )

26%

35-44

438,445

161,670 (37% )

31%

45-54

315,794

112,923 (36% )

22%

55-64

135,690

43,146 (32% )

8%

24,541

5,016 (20% )

1%

1,520,637

522,528 (34% )

100%

65 and over
TOTAL

Source: BLS 2001

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Recent MSD Statistics

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Breakdown by occupation:

Operators, fabricators, laborers

Service
Technical, Sales and Admin.
Precision Production, craft, repair
Managers & Professionals
Farming, fishing, forestry

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41%
18%
17%
16%
6%
2%

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Recent MSD Statistics

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Breakdown by industry:

Services
Manufacturing
Retail trade
Transportation, public utilities
Construction
Wholesale trade
Agriculture, forestry, fishing
Finance, insurance, real estate
Mining

...

26%
23%
16%
13%
9%
8%
2%
2%
1%

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Recent MSD Statistics

Breakdown by days
1 day
2 days
35 days
610 days
1120 days
2130 days
31 days or more

away from work:

12%

11%
...
20%

13%

13%

7%

24%

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Ergonomics and OSHA
General Duty Clause Section 5 of OSHAct
Employers must
"furnish to each of his employees employment and a place
of employment which are free from recognized hazards

OSHA can cite for ergonomics hazards if

Employees are exposed to hazards

Hazard was causing or is likely to cause serious harm

The hazard is recognizable

A feasible means of control exists

Source: BLS

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OSHA citation: A case
Hudson Foods, Noel, MO facility
Total fine levied: $840,000
WHY?
>300 cases for Cumulative Trauma Disorders
(CTD) among workers.
Steady growth of CTDs from 1994-96
No of surgeries: 20
12 violations, involved 23 different tasks at
facility

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Benefits of Ergonomics

Increased efficiency
Lower turnover and
absenteeism
Increased productivity
Lower insurance premiums
Reduced worker fatigue &
overexertion
Increased worker
satisfaction
Easier for workers to do their
job well

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Success with Ergonomics

Company: Hasbro Games

Venue: Longmeadow, Mass.
Product: Games and Toys
Successful in reducing sprains and strains among
workers by 85%
20 hrs/year training for every employee

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Source: CTD News, Jan04

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Success with Ergonomics

Company: Honda of America

Venue: Marysville, Ohio
Product: Vehicle Manufacturing
Scrap metal- considered as ergonomic issue
$500,000 annual savings due to injury avoidance

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Source: CTD News, Sept03

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Questions & Comments

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