The 3E Approach to Eliminating Musculoskeletal Injuries: Utility Spotlight

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1 The 3E Approach to Eliminating Musculoskeletal Injuries: Utility Spotlight Fall Occupational Safety & Health Committee Conference September 2017 Portland, OR

Jon Kabance, RKT BIOKINETIX Jon graduated from the University of Illinois in 1998 with a double major in Kinesiology and Food Science & Nutrition.

2 Jon Kabance, RKT BIOKINETIX Jon graduated from the University of Illinois in 1998 with a double major in Kinesiology and Food Science & Nutrition. As a registered Kinesiotherapist and President of BIOKINETIX, Jon has been masterful in combining his expertise in sports medicine and education with the real-world demands companies face every day. Jon s thought leadership has helped BIOKINETIX clients save tens of millions of dollars through strategic prevention and wellness programs. 2

3 The 3E Process 3

4 The 3E Process 1. Engineering Optimal intervention to eliminate all risks of injuries Create, improve, or redesign a tool or piece of equipment Adapt a job description or develop a safety policy based on physical demands If engineering is cost-prohibitive or impractical, we shift to Ergonomics. 4

5 The 3E Process 2. Ergonomics A medical ergonomics approach that uses anatomy, physiology, and body mechanics to train workers to complete job tasks safely Evaluate all job functions and job tasks for at-risk behaviors Develop best-practice ergonomic methods to mitigate risk at each level Instruct employees in avoiding at-risk movements and enhancing fluid body mechanics If ergonomics cannot fully mitigate risks of injury, we shift to Exercise. 5

6 The 3E Process 3. Exercise Time-efficient interventions designed to prepare the body for the physical demands of job tasks Properly warm up the body before beginning job tasks Reset the body after repetitive movements Develop personalized strength & conditioning programs 6

Engineering Interventions Pushing/Pulling Quick Restorer Cart Due to the weight of the original model (140-160

control the transformer Switching to the new, lighter model (60-80 pounds) reduces the risk of overloading the

7 Engineering Interventions Pushing/Pulling Quick Restorer Cart Due to the weight of the original model ( pounds), employees were often forced into various degrees of lateral trunk flexion and rotation in order to control the transformer Switching to the new, lighter model (60-80 pounds) reduces the risk of overloading the shoulder/elbow muscles Facilitates proper posture when lifting or pulling transformer Original Model New Model 7

Engineering Interventions Retrieving Grounding Line

Manually pulling ground cable from cement requires

ground cable to rear of truck pinches shoulder

8 Engineering Interventions Retrieving Grounding Line Old method: Using mobile equipment and vehicle Manually pulling ground cable from cement requires OE to exert 39 pounds of force Using Grip-All to ground cable to rear of truck pinches shoulder structures and increases risk of forearm, wrist, & hand trauma 8

of force to pull cable from reel Install attachment point at rear of passenger side box so that clamp end of

9 Engineering Interventions Retrieving Grounding Line, cont d New method: Using a retractable ground reel and cable Reduces overall stress on body by automatically rewinding ground cable; the OE only has to exert 7 pounds of force to pull cable from reel Install attachment point at rear of passenger side box so that clamp end of ground cable is easy to access Eliminates need for Grip-All and allows for proper stabilization of right hand & wrist 9

Ergonomic Interventions Avoiding the Impingement Zone While Creating a Line Secondary Main

compresses the shoulder tendons, nerves, and ligaments.

during manipulation of heavy cable. Use the elbow as a marker for proper arm position.

10 Ergonomic Interventions Avoiding the Impingement Zone While Creating a Line Secondary Main Repeated movement of the arms into the Impingement Zone (at or above shoulder height) compresses the shoulder tendons, nerves, and ligaments. Instead, a slightly lowered arm position prevents overload of the shoulder structures during manipulation of heavy cable. Use the elbow as a marker for proper arm position. For example: while bending the line secondary main and attaching it to the bus, the elbows should be lowered about 6 below the shoulder. Safer 10

Whenever possible, two employees should lift and carry the equipment to lessen the overall load.

11 Ergonomic Interventions Maintaining Back Function While Lifting Fault Wizard Unintentional back hyperextension may occur as a physical compensatory reaction to the weight (60 lbs.) and length (17 in.) of this equipment. Whenever possible, two employees should lift and carry the equipment to lessen the overall load. Grasp the Fault Wizard with 4 fingers while pressing thumb against side Independently, maintaining proper posture can improve back function. At-Risk Safer 11

hand: this distributes the force needed for cable tension equally to both arms in order to prevent

12 Ergonomic Interventions Utilizing Jack Strap Pivot Point to Engage Arms Equally Efficiently utilize the jack strap pivot point by grasping and pushing with the superior hand and pulling equally with the lower hand: this distributes the force needed for cable tension equally to both arms in order to prevent muscle fatigue. Engage all fingers and thumbs on the strap to improve hand & wrist stability At-Risk Safer 12

and wrists in line with the forearm Increase available strength of shoulders,

13 Ergonomic Interventions Safer Positioning While Using the Grip-All Maintain All-In form: keep shoulders in line with the hips, elbows in line with the navel, and wrists in line with the forearm Increase available strength of shoulders, elbows, and wrists Prevent fatigue of rotator cuff, wrist tendons, and forearm flexors 13

Exercise Interventions Pulling/Pushing PhazeSaver Pulling or pushing the

warm-up with emphasis on neutral spine position to distribute vertical

PhazeSaver Exercise with the WOW (short-range speeds flexion and

14 Exercise Interventions Pulling/Pushing PhazeSaver Pulling or pushing the PhazeSaver with one hand places stress on the pulling shoulder Dynamic warm-up with emphasis on neutral spine position to distribute vertical force throughout the core to counteract the force used to push/pull the PhazeSaver Exercise with the WOW (short-range speeds flexion and internal/external rotation) to improve shoulder stability & control At-Risk Post-Task Exercises 14

Exercise Interventions Engaging the Abdominals

leaning forward while repairing the primary causes

maintain proper posture Post-task abdominal muscle

contraction and create neutral spine position Can

15 Exercise Interventions Engaging the Abdominals During & After Splice Pit Tasks Squatting & leaning forward while repairing the primary causes employees back muscles to contract vigorously to maintain proper posture Post-task abdominal muscle exercises counteract continual paraspinal muscle contraction and create neutral spine position Can be performed using the bucket truck At-Risk Post-Task Exercises 15

Exercise Interventions Improved Activation of the

can be used to activate the quadratus lumborum & obtain

The objective is to improve awareness of muscle

16 Exercise Interventions Improved Activation of the Quadratus Lumborum While Removing Cable The side plank can be used to activate the quadratus lumborum & obtain low-back/pelvic stability. The objective is to improve awareness of muscle activation and contract this muscle while removing cable. Muscle Recognition At-Risk Best Practice 16

17 Want to implement today s lessons? Visit: biokinetix.com/eei Link available to request material from today s lessons in an educational format that s easy to print and share with employees and collogues. 17

18 The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association that represents the U.S. investor-owned electric industry. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and directly employ more than 500,000 workers. Safe, reliable, affordable, and clean electricity powers the economy and enhances the lives of all Americans. The EEI membership also includes dozens of international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members. Since 1933, EEI has provided public policy leadership, strategic business intelligence, and essential conferences and forums for the energy industry. For more information, visit our Web site at

The Ergonomic Alternative

The Ergonomic Alternative The Economics Of Ergonomics What Is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is the field of study concerned with finding ways to keep people safe, comfortable, and productive while they perform tasks at work. We Refer