Ergonomics in the workplace

Ergonomics in the workplace „ Relax get comfortable „ Ask questions during the presentation „ And, most important . . . Session Rules Please hold the applause until the end Why is Ergonomics Important? Risk Management Dilemma „ MSDs are leading workers’ compensation cost drivers All Other Claims 60% MSD Costs 40% Workers’ Compensation Costs Total Cost of Risk General Liability 24% Workers Comp 65% Auto Liability 11% Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are: „Illnesses that result from longterm exposure to repetitive and forceful motions and activities „Conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, and nerves „Caused by exposures at home and at work „Frequently ignored by employees until the symptoms become severe

MHEC: Midwestern Higher Education Compact Presented by Sophia Papaefthimiou Kansas City, MO March 18, 2005 Ergonomics in the Workplace Marsh 2 Agenda  Why is ergonomics important  Review basic ergonomic concepts  Discuss how you can prevent repetitive motion injuries Marsh 3  Relax & get comfortable  Ask questions during the presentation  And, most important . . . Session Rules Please hold the applause until the end! Why is Ergonomics Important? Marsh 5 Risk Management Dilemma  MSDs are leading workers’ compensation cost drivers All Other Claims 60% MSD* Costs 40% Workers’ Compensation Costs Total Cost of Risk General Liability 24% Workers' Comp 65% Auto Liability 11% Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are:  Illnesses that result from long-term exposure to repetitive and forceful motions and activities  Conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, and nerves  Caused by exposures at home and at work  Frequently ignored by employees until the symptoms become severe Marsh 6 MSDs and Days Away from Work MSDs result in the highest number of days away from work! 19 11 10 9 777 5 4 3 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Repetitive Motion Transportation Accident SL Fall Overexertion Contact Median Days Away from Work Marsh 7 $15 $20 $38 $12 $0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40 Liberty Mutual NIOSH OSHA U of Michigan Source Estimated Annual DIRECT MSD Cost (billions) How Much Do MSDs Cost In The U.S.? Fortune 500 Average Revenue Marsh 8 How Much Do MSDs Cost? $55 $63 $215 $0 $50 $100 $150 $200 $250 National Academy of Science U of Michigan AA Orthopaedic Surgeons Source Estimated Annual Direct and Indirect MSD Cost (billions) Marsh 9 Benchmarking Annual MSD Costs Impact on the Economy 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Heart & Stroke Arthritis MSDs Alzheimer's Disease Aids Estimated Annual Cost ($Billions) Ergonomics Terminology [...]... programs Marsh 32 Take Control Of Your Ergonomic Exposures You Can Take Control By Using the proper work method Marsh 34 You Can Take Control By Using the proper work method Letting your tools do the work Marsh 35 You Can Take Control By Using the proper work method Letting your tools do the work Using material handling equipment Marsh 36 ... time Compounds the impact of other risk factors Marsh 26 Risk Factors Compounded by Leisure Some “risky” hobbies include: Woodworking Bowling Sewing Gardening Golf Motorcycling Tennis Computer use Marsh 27 Personal Risk Factors Age Medical conditions Personal fitness Medications Ability to cope with stress Marsh 28 Ergonomic Control Measures Engineering controls Work practice controls Administrative controls... With Some Definitions Musculoskeletal disorders Cumulative trauma disorders Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Repetitive motion injuries Marsh 11 Ergonomics is The study of work The art and science of fitting the job to the person An opportunity to make work easier and more efficient A way to work smarter, not harder Marsh 12 Why Is This Important To You? Ergonomics helps you Avoid painful injuries Reduce... (RMIs) – Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) – Other specific medical diagnoses Marsh 15 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome The most famous CTD An illness affecting the hand and wrist Often misdiagnosed and mistreated An overused term sometimes used to describe any wrist pain Marsh 16 Ergonomic Risk Factors Ergonomic Risk Factors Conditions and activities that increase the likelihood of incurring an MSD Affect people... Force The amount of effort exerted Pressure on body parts or tissues Increased by stressful postures Impacts people differently Marsh 24 Force can be Caused by Using heavy tools or equipment Pushing/pulling objects Awkward postures Impact or compression on the hand and wrist Holding vibrating tools Marsh 25 Repetition Repetition refers to performing a task or series of motions over and over again with... Control Measures $100 solutions do exist! Engineering controls – Redesign workstations – Redesign workflow – Install material handling equipment – Provide proper tools Marsh 30 Ergonomic Control Measures Work practice controls – Work method changes – Two-person lifts Marsh 31 Ergonomic Control Measures Administrative controls – Job rotation – Employee training – Exercise programs Marsh 32 Take Control... the end of your workday Improve the quality of your work Marsh 13 Cumulative Trauma Disorders Are Illnesses caused by long term exposure to repetitive and forceful activities Caused by exposures at home and at work Frequently ignored by employees until the symptoms become severe Called CTDs Marsh 14 Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Are The same thing as CTDs Also called: – Repetitive motion injuries... Unnatural motions Extreme range of motion Extreme postures Other? Marsh 20 Stressful Postures and Motions Reach behind shoulder Raised elbow Extreme elbow flexion Marsh Outward forearm rotation Inward forearm rotation 21 Stressful Postures and Motions Group Exercise Radial deviation Wrist flexion Wrist extension 4:1 Power grip Marsh Ulnar deviation 25% Pinch grip 22 Stressful Postures & Motions Wrist Extension . MO March 18, 2005 Ergonomics in the Workplace Marsh 2 Agenda  Why is ergonomics important  Review basic ergonomic concepts  Discuss how you can prevent repetitive motion injuries Marsh 3 . questions during the presentation  And, most important . . . Session Rules Please hold the applause until the end! Why is Ergonomics Important? Marsh 5 Risk Management Dilemma  MSDs are leading workers’. ($Billions) Ergonomics Terminology Marsh 11 Let’s Start With Some Definitions  Musculoskeletal disorders  Cumulative trauma disorders  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  Repetitive motion injuries Marsh 12 Ergonomics