Office Ergonomics: Best Practices and Results. Mike Lampl, MS, CPE Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC)

Transcription

1 Office Ergonomics: Best Practices and Results Mike Lampl, MS, CPE Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC)

2 Analysis of Injury Data Nineteen organizations received safety grants to incorporate ergonomics into office and computer workstations.

3 What is a safety grant Ohio employers that are state-fund or public employers can apply for a 4-to-1 matching grant up to $40,000 for ergonomic equipment.

4 Safety grant application 1. Describe the difficulties your company is experiencing with cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). 2. Describe the solution do you propose. 3. Describe your plan to implement your solution. 4. What is your budget for this project.

5 What interventions are allowed? Virtually any intervention can be applied for that will likely reduce risk factors and injuries. For the purposes of this program PPE and training are not considered interventions. Some items cannot be applied for since this is a research program and in some case many companies have already received these items. These items are on a moratorium list.

6 Moratorium Items Floor-based patient lifting devices; Electric beds; Floor mats; Powered dolly equipment; Forklifts; Lightweight tables; Skid steerers, front-end loaders, bobcats, all earth-moving equipment; Transplanters, taggers; Ceiling lifts; Bathing systems; Lift tables.

7 Grant case study requirements Allow an ergonomist from BWC to video or photograph situation before and after intervention is in place. Submit risk factor data before and after intervention. Submit injury data before and after intervention.

8 Risk factor data form CTD Risk Factor Assessment Form Check box if Baseline Report BWC Policy Number Company: Task Title: Name of Analyst: Evaluation Date: Brief Task Description: Amount of time per day task is performed by one person: Risk Factor Category Upper Extremity A B D F Risk Score Factors Repetition (Finger, Wrist, Elbow, Shoulder, or Neck Motions) Circle if RF present 1. Identical or Similar Motions Performed Every Few Seconds Motions or motion patterns that are repeated every 15 seconds or less. (Keyboard use is scored below as a separate risk factor.) 3 2. Intensive Keying Scored separately from other repetitive tasks in the repetition category; includes steady pace, as in data entry Intermittent Keying Scored separately from other repetitive tasks. Keyboard or other input activity is regularly alternated with other activities for 50 to 75 percent of the work. 1 Hand Force (Repetitive or Static) 1. Grip More Than 10-Pound Load Holding an object weighing more than 10 pounds or squeezing hard with hand in a power grip Pinch More Than 2 Pounds Pinch force of 2+ pounds as in the pinch used to open a small binder clip with the tips of fingers. 3

9 Risk factor data form (cont) Risk Factor Category Upper Extremity A B D F Risk Score Factors Awkward Postures Contact Stress Vibration Circle if RF present 1. Neck: Twist / Bend Twisting neck to either side more that 20, bending neck forward more than 20 as in viewing a monitor, or bending neck backward more than Shoulder: Unsupported Arm or Elbow Above Mid-Torso Height Arm is unsupported if there is not an arm 3 rest when doing precision finger work, or when the elbow is above mid-torso height. 3. Forearm: Rapid Rotation Rotating the forearm or resisting rotation from a tool. An example of forearm 2 rotation is using a manual screwdriver. 4. Wrist: Bend / Deviate Wrist bends that involve more than 20 of flexion (bending the wrist palm down) or more than 30 of extension (bending the wrist back). Bending can occur during 3 manual assembly and data entry. 5. Fingers Forceful gripping to control or hold an object, such as click-and-drag operations 1 with a computer mouse or deboning with a knife. 6. Extended arm reaches 2 7. Reaching overhead (above shoulder level) 2 8. Reaching behind the torso 2 1. Hard/Sharp Objects Press Into Skin Includes contact of the palm, fingers, wrist, elbow, or armpit Using the Palm of the Hand as a Hammer 3 1. Localized Vibration Vibration from contact between the 2 hand and a vibrating object, such as a power tool. Total Upper Extremity Score:

10 Risk factor data form (cont) Risk Factor Category Back and Legs A B D F Risk Score Factors Awkward Postures (Repetitive or Static) 1. Mild Forward or Lateral Bending of Torso More Than 20 But Less Than 45 Circle if RF present 2 Contact Stress Vibration 2. Severe Forward Bending of Torso More Than Backward Bending of Torso 2 4. Twisting Torso 3 5. Prolonged Sitting Without Adequate Back Support Back is not firmly supported by a back rest for an extended period 2 6. Standing Stationary or Inadequate Foot Support While Seated Stand in one place (an assembly line or check stand) without sit/stand option or walking, or feet are not firmly supported when sitting Kneeling / Squatting 3 8. Repetitive Ankle Extension / Flexion Using a foot pedal to start or stop a machine cycling (as in sewing machine 2 operations). 1. Hard / Sharp Objects Press into Skin 2 Includes contact against the leg. 2. Using the Knee as a Hammer or Kicker 3 1. Sitting/Standing on Vibrating Surface (Without Vibration Dampening) 2 Push/Pull 1. Moderate Load Force needed to push / pull a shopping cart full of apples. 2. Heavy Load Force need to push / pull a two-drawer, full file cabinet across a carpeted room. 2 3

11 Risk factor data form (cont) Risk Factor Category Back and Legs (continued) A B D F Risk Score Factors Manual Materials Handling - Load Manual Materials Handling - Frequency 1. Weight Load being handled is more than 20 pounds. (Write actual weight of maximum load in box to right.) 2. Distance Horizontal distance from the mid-point between the ankles to center of the hand is greater than 10 inches. (Write actual maximum distance in box to right.) 1. Lifting Frequency Lifting frequency is between 1 and 5 times per minute. (Write actual lifting frequency in the box to right.) Actual Weight (lbs.) Actual Distance (in.) Lifting Frequency 2. Lifting Frequency Lifting frequency is 5 or more times per minute. TOTAL BACK AND LEGS SCORE: Environmental Worksheet Circle if RF present A B D F Risk Risk Circle Score Factor Category Factors if RF present Environment 1. Lighting (Poor Illumination / Glare) 1 Inability to see clearly (e.g. glare on a computer monitor). 2. Cold Temperature Air temperature less than 60ºF for sedentary work, 40ºF for light work, 20ºF for moderate/heavy work; cold exhaust blowing on hands. 1 TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCORE: Total Score: (Upper Extremity + Back and Legs + Environmental)

12 Injury data reported Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) incident rate Days lost rate due to CTDs Restricted days rate due to CTDs

13 Office equipment obtained Adjustable keyboard trays Adjustable chairs Document holders Footrests Telephone headsets

14 Best Practice References rworkstations/index.html BSR/HFES (2002) Human Factors Engineering of computer workstations.

15 Keyboard trays: Best Practice Be adjustable in height and tilt. Provide adequate leg and foot clearance. Have adequate space for multiple input devices (for example, a keyboard and mouse).

16 Chairs: Best Practice Pneumatic height adjustment range from Minimum seat pan dimensions: Width >18, Depth 15-17, Tilt 0-10 degrees. Removable armrest adjustable in all 3 dimensions. Independent backrest

17 Document Holders: Best Practice Allow you to place documents at or about the same height and distance as the monitor screen, or be directly beneath monitor. Be stable when loaded with heavier documents such as a textbook.

18 Footrests: Best Practice Moveable, but heavy enough to stay in place when feet are resting on it. 8 deep by 20 wide or greater. Best if adjustable in height and angle.

19 Telephone headsets: Best Practice Volume control on base unit Background noise reduction Light weight (1 to 3 oz.) Padded ear & headband Adjustable headband

20 Risk factor data The average risk factor score for 35 office tasks was 22.9 before redesigning the office areas, and was 9.1 after the change (60% improvement).

21 Injury Data Results CTD Incident rates has gone from 16.1 CTDs per 200,000 hours to 6.3 CTDs per 200,000 hours (61% improvement). Days lost rate due to CTDs has gone from 59.9 to 7.5 (87% improvement). Restricted days rate due to CTDs has gone from 33.8 to 15.3 (55% improvement).