Coaching Ergonomics Ross Koehler, MS, CPE Ergonomist Objectives Describe ergonomic risk factors and their multifactorial nature. Apply hands on learning activities to coach ergonomic risk factors. Demonstrate how to actively engage learners. 2 What do you do? Classroom Teach to cause or help (someone) to learn about a subject by giving lessons. to cause or help (a person or animal) to learn how to do something by giving lessons, showing how it is done, etc. Train to teach (someone) the skills needed to do something (such as a job). to cause (someone or something) to develop an ability or skill. Field Coach to teach and train (an athlete or performer) 3 Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary 1
My Practice as a Physical Ergonomist 4 My Practice as a Physical Ergonomist 5 Ergonomic Risk Factors The more risk factors that are present, the higher the overall risk will be. Musculoskeletal Work Outcomes Wellness 6 2
Activities Risk Factor Guiding question/statement. Rationale. Materials. 7 Thumb Up/Down Shoulder Movement Which is easier? Which offers more range of motion? We work optimally when we use our bodies as designed. Materials: None 8 "Athletic Position" How would you position yourself? To push a 75 lbs. cart. To lift and dump a shovel of dirt. When we are balanced and supported, we perform better. Materials: None 9 3
Why does posture matter? Squeeze the tool as hard as you can. Neutral Flexed Extended Neutral The more awkward your position, the less strength you have. Materials: Camry EH101 or Jamar 200 lbs. Hand Dynamometer 10 Strongest Three Turn to the person next to you... 1. Person A: Point at your partner with your index finger. 2. Person B: Grab your partner s index finger with a power grip and gently squeeze, but don t let Person A get away. 3. Person A: While B gently squeezes your finger, try to pull out of the grip. Contact Stress Outside three fingers should be used for tasks that require strength. Materials: None 11 Guess the weight of a box How much does it weigh? How much effort does it take to lift it? Level of effort between 1-10. Level of effort circumstantial. Arguably more important than how much something weighs. Rep. Motion Static Loading Materials: Any box or object (~30 lbs.) and scale. 12 4
How much force? How much force does it take to lift the box? = Mass x Acceleration The faster one lifts, pushes, and pulls... Speed the greater the force. Materials: Push/pull gauge. 13 Teach me how to lift... Speed Contact Stress 14 Teach me how to lift... Small object Medium object Large object Extra large object 15 Materials: Various sized objects. 5
Wrenching - Leverage Tighten the fitting. Simple tasks can be complex. Torque = Length x 100 ft. lbs. = 1.0 ft. x 100 lbs. 100 ft. lbs. = 1.5 ft. x 67 lbs. 100 ft. lbs. = 2.0 ft. x 50 lbs. Speed Contact Stress Rep. Motion Materials: Pipe wrench, clamp or vise, threaded pipe, and fitting. 16 90-10 - 10-10 Challenge $10. 10 minutes. 10 lbs. Shoulder flexed to 90 Static Loading Warning signs! shaking, flushed faced, arm dropping, back extending, increased breathing... 17 Materials: 10 lbs. weight. So what did we learn (ergonomics)? We are well designed, we just need to do it right. Poor posture poor strength. The weight of an object is only part of the story. Don t forget to watch your speed. Simple tasks get complex fast. There is more than one way to lift. Understand leverage. Yield to your warning signs. 18 6
Takeaways Ergonomic risk factors are multifactorial. Reduce or eliminate as many as possible. Step outside the textbook basics and be creative. Increase learner engagement. Hands on. Use your industry to guide activities. Allow practice. Provide immediate feedback. 19 Ross Koehler, MS, CPE RossKoehler@alliantenergy.com 7