Addressing the Root Cause of Preventable Injuries

Transcription

1 Addressing the Root Cause of Preventable Injuries Ergonomic Consultants of Indiana N. Meridian Street Suite 140 Carmel, IN Presented by: David Verdeyen MS, ATC/L CEAS II

2 Ergonomic Consultants of Indiana Carmel, IN Worksite Ergonomic Services Injury Management Light Duty/RTW/Accommodation Office & Industrial Ergonomic Evaluations Wellness & Stretching Initiatives Functional Job Descriptions Physical Abilities Testing Work Conditioning

3 Agenda for Today Module 1: The Problem Module 2: Ergonomics Module 3: Primary Risk Factor Areas Module 4: Controls Questions

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5 Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 37 percent of all injury and illness cases in 2013.

6 Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD S) or Ergonomic Injuries Defined as: A musculoskeletal disorder is a condition where a part of musculoskeletal system is injured over time. Risk Factors: Awkward postures, repetitive motion, force, vibration, environment Injuries: - Muscle Strains - Shoulder pain - Tendonitis - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Plantar Fasciitis

7 Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, are injuries or illnesses to soft body tissue such as: Muscles Nerves Tendons Ligaments Joints Cartilage Spinal Discs

8 Common Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD S) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Muscle Strains Shoulder Pain & Soreness Elbow Tendonitis Plantar Fasciitis

9 Distribution of injuries and illnesses by nature, all ownerships, 2013 Sprains, strains, and tears 36.7 Soreness, pain, 17.4 Lacerations, punctures, 8.5 Bruises, contusions, 8.2 Fractures, 7.9 Multiple traumatic injuries, 2.8 Heat burns, 1.4 Carpal tunnel syndrome,.7 Amputations,.6 Chemical burns,.3 Tendonitis, 2 All other natures, 15.4 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics December 2014

10 Distribution of injuries and illness by event of exposure, all ownerships, 2013 Overexertion and bodily reaction, 34.4 Falls, slips, trips, 25.5 Contact with object, equipment, 23.1 Violence and other injuries by persons or animals, 6.5 Transporation incidents, 5.1 Exposure to harmful substances or environments 4.4 Fires and explosions, 0.2 All other events, 0.9 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics December 2014

11 Causes of Overexertion Repeat the same motion throughout their workday Must do their work in an awkward position Use a high force to perform their job Repeatedly lift heavy objects Combination of risk factors

12 Why is it important to report symptoms early? Some WMSDs can become chronic, where symptoms don t go away, and these can be very serious. They can even result in lost work days, permanent disability, or even surgery. However, the good news is that early treatment is often very simple and successful. Therefore, it s important for your own health to report symptoms as early as you can.

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14 What is Ergonomics? OSHA defines ergonomics as: the science of designing the job to fit the worker, instead of forcing the worker to fit the job.

15 Ergonomics is Ergonomics is not. Fitting the person to the work

16 Lathe Operator

17 Perfect Lathe Operator Normal guy

18 Occupational Ergonomics Human Job Tasks Worker Size & Wellness Movement / Tasks Environment Environment Space & Tools

19 Fitting the Workplace to the Person

20 Why do Injuries Occur at Work? Job Design & set-up Job demands exceed employee capabilities Failure to account for human physiological limitations Work stress (psychosocial factors) Failure to account for body size differences

21 One of many factors that contributes or creates an undesired outcome (MSD) and if eliminated would have prevented the undesired outcome! Have to start with analyzing Workplace Risk Factors!

22 Ergonomic Risk Factors & Hazards for WMSD s Repetitive Motions Awkward Postures & Sustained Forceful exertions Pressure points (contact stress) Vibration

23 Repetitive Motion Duration of task Frequency of task Speed of work or cycle time to do each cycle Productivity requirements

24 Repetitive Motion Is often a concern in: assembly tasks sorting tasks loading or off-loading materials inventorying products product stocking software programming telemarketing customer service

25 Repetition Repeating the same motions every few seconds or repeating a cycle of motions involving the affected body part more than twice per minute for more than 2 consecutive hours in a workday. Using an input device, such as a keyboard and/or mouse, in a steady manner for more than 4 hours total in a workday. Source: OSHA

26 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Repetition Repetition: Use power tools when available Use shortcuts on keyboard Use ergonomic tools & products (trackball) Change tasks, stretch, or take a break from repetitive tasks Follow job rotation policies where applicable effective job rotations work alternate muscle groups between successive job functions

27 Awkward Postures Positions that require more effort than others or that result in compression or stretching of the tissues in or around joints Non-Neutral Positions Overhead Reaching Twisting Forward Bending

28 Awkward Postures Hands/wrist Flexed 45 Extended 45 Ulnar Deviation 30 Radial Deviation 30 Elbows Elbow Extension 135 Fully Rotated wings Shoulders Arm Raised 45 Arm behind body Shoulders Shrugged Neck Flexed 30 Extended Twisted 20 Sideways Back Flexed 20 Twisted 20 Extension Sideways Unsupported (chair) Legs Kneel Unsupported Partial Squat (45 ) 28

29 Awkward Postures are caused by: Location of parts, equipment or tools Position of parts, equipment or tools Design of parts, equipment or tools Employee work habits (choice vs. design)

30 BACK Flexed 20 Twisted 20 Extension Sideways Unsupported (chair)

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35 Flexed 45 Extended 45 Ulnar Deviation Radial Deviation Wrist

36 Wrist Use straight wrist positions Working with bent wrists decreases grip strength Use tools that let you keep your wrist straight 36

37 ELBOWS Elbow Extension 135 Fully Rotated wings

38 Arms Away from Body

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40 SHOULDERS Arm Raised 45 Arm behind body Shoulders Shrugged

41 Raised Shoulders Source: 40 horizontal repetitive reach for sander located on the side wall. In addition, the employee will reach for tools and parts resulting in elbow & shoulder extension.

42 Arms Raised - Excessive Reaching RShoulder Reaching Eliminated

43 Workstation Design Re-arrange work areas to reduce reaching distance and awkward postures.

44 NECK Flexed 30 Extended Twisted 20 Sideways

45 How much does an average human head weigh?

46 FORWARD HEAD Forward head posture puts up to three times more force on the base of your neck Headaches are associated with this posture

47 Neck: Extension

48 Forceful Exertions An exertion to overcome weight, resistance, or inertia of the body or of a work object Overexertion when lifting, pushing, or pulling - Pulling filing cabinet drawer - Pushing cart across floor - Repeated use of staple gun

49 Forceful Exertions Lifting bag weighing 50 lbs. Lifting manhole cover weighing 75lbs.

50 Pushing versus Pulling Control options Keep forces low Initial and peak Handle height between hip and shoulder Large wheels To friction Slip resistant shoes Good housekeeping Good steering mechanism Incline surfaces < 2

51 Measuring Force The following methods are available for quantifying force: Rough approximations Simple mechanical scales Electronic load cells

52 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Force Use mechanical lift assists and carts when available Avoid manually handling heavy objects (more than 35 pounds) Avoid carrying objects more than 100 feet Practice Proper Cart Handling Push instead of pulling Use both hands when pushing Stand directly behind the cart when pushing (avoid twisting your body) Maintain good control and limit speed Ensure cart is not overloaded

53 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Force Use proper lifting techniques when lifting Examine the load and the surrounding area Bend knees when lifting a load Look forward to keep back straight Position the load close to the body Maintain a firm grip on the load Use smooth, controlled movements Keep arms in front of body Turn feet in direction of movement to avoid twisting Get help before performing tasks requiring excessive force

54 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Force Use the correct tools / powered tools for the task Powered tools tend to require less exertion to perform a task Ensure that the weight of a powered tool (and cording) does not create additional force issues Use only the amount of force necessary to complete the task

55 Contact Stress: Forearm Minimize Pressure Points Before

56 Contact: Hard Floor Contact: Fatigue Mat

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58 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Contact Stress Select hand tools that conforms to the geometry of the hands Pistol grip & in-line tools: Recommended handle length: 5.0 inches Recommended handle diameter: 1.0 to 1.5 Pliers & crimping action tools: Recommended handle length: 4.0 inches (minimum) Recommended handle span: 2.5 inches 4.0 inches Avoid handles that end in the palm of the hand

59 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Contact Stress Avoid pressure on knees: Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces for prolonged periods Use knee pads when kneeling tasks are unavoidable Avoid pressure on palms, wrists, and elbows: Use padding on hard or sharp surfaces Change your position to eliminate the stress

60 Vibration Using tools or equipment that typically have high vibration levels (such as chainsaws, jack hammers, percussive tools) for more than 30 minutes per day. Using tools with moderate vibration levels (such as jig saws, grinders, etc.) for more than two hours per day. Source: OSHA

61 The ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for exposure of the hand to vibration in X, Y, or Z direction* Total Daily Exposure Duration (hours) Maximum value of frequency weighted acceleration (m/s 2 ) in any direction* 4 to less than 8 hours 4 2 to less than 4 hours 6 1 to less than 2 hours 8 less than 1hour 12

62 Vibration: tool use

63 Ergonomic Tips to Minimize Vibration & Torque To lessen vibration: Pad tool handles with a soft compressible surface Use vibration damping (gel filled) gloves Select tools (hammers and chippers) with built in damping systems (springs/hydraulics) To lessen torque reaction: Use electric tools as opposed to air driven tools Use pulse tools or auto-shutoff tools

64 Human Factors People are Different People have Limitations People have Predictable Reactions

65 Risk Factors inherent to the Worker Age Gender Physical Activity Strength Athropometry

66 Risk Factors inherent to the Environment Lighting Temperature Vibration & Shock PPE Noise, etc.

67 Behavioral & Cognitive Daily time at workstations (personal vs. work) Design vs. User s behavior Lack of "ownership" in personal safety on the part of the employee. IT WON T HAPPEN TO ME!!!! Lack of adjustable equipment or furniture at some worksites

68 Ergonomics Improvement Process 1. Analyze Issues 2. Identify root causes or source of problem 3. Identify Improvements 4. Justification of cost or improvements 5. Follow Up to verify improvements

69 Five key points to remember 1. Ergonomics can help you on your job 2. Risk factors can be reduced and WMSDs prevented 3. WMSDs can happen in jobs with risk factors 4. Reporting symptoms early is important 5. Good ergonomic practices increase productivity and quality of work.

70 parts a day Parts weigh 2-4lbs 12 hour shift 5-7 days/wk Left hip discomfort Hand and wrist discomfort

71 Ergonomic Consultants of Indiana N. Meridian St., Ste 140 Carmel, IN (317) Services: Ergo Products: