Ergonomics

Question 1

What does ergonomics mean and what is it?

Answer 1

-ergonomics means fitting the job to the worker
-The science of fitting the job to the worker
-concerned with the interaction of systems and the people who operate in maintain them

Question 2

What is the goal of ergonomics?

Answer 2

to eliminate, or minimize injuries, due to chronic physical and psychological stresses, while maximizing, productivity and efficiency

Question 3

What are the ergonomic study areas?

Answer 3

• tools - what they bring to the worker
• tasks - what the worker must do
• environment - the conditions surrounding the worker and the tool
• workers - what they bring to the job

Question 4

What are resulting injuries from ergonomics?

Answer 4

• work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)
  
  • cumulative trauma disorders (CTD’s)
  • repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
  • overuse injuries

-cumulative: result from repeated wear and tear
* they are soft tissue injuries that occur gradually: muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood vessels, nerves, etc

Question 5

What causes work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)

Answer 5

• static loading
• repetition (typing)
• Force (pulling)
• vibration (machine use)
• awkward posture (bending sitting)
• contact stress (contact with table in assembly line)
• stressors:
  -Physiological stressors (tiredness, temp)
  -psychological stressors

Question 6

What are the risk factors of WMSD?

Answer 6

risk of injury depends on:
-Duration of exposure
-frequency of exposure
-intensity of exposure

Question 7

How serious is WMSDs?

Answer 7

-1/3 of lost day injuries each year
-older workers more at risk
-cost employers 15-20 billion in workers comp

Question 8

How do you reduce low work?

Answer 8

• raise and/or tilt for better access
• use a stool for ground-level of work or longer handles
• Alternate between bending, kneeling, sitting and squatting

Question 9

How do you reduce high work?

Answer 9

• use an elevated work platform or rolling stairs
• Use tools with longer handles
• Limit overhead storage to infrequently used items
• Bring the work down and tilt for easier access

Question 10

How to reduce repetition?

Answer 10

• let power tools and machinery do the work
• Spread repetitive work out during the day
• Take stretch pauses
• Rotate task with coworkers if possible
• Change, hands or motions frequently

Question 11

How to reduce gripping and pinching?

Answer 11

• A power grip is five times stronger than a pinch grip
• Use a tool balancer (clamp)

Question 12

How to reduce vibration?

Answer 12

• use low vibration tools if available
• Maintain tools
• Use anti-vibration gloves, or tool wraps
• keep hands warm

Question 13

How to reduce bent wrist?

Answer 13

• re-orient the work
• Use tools that let you keep your wrist straight

Question 14

How to reduce heavy lifting?

Answer 14

• high adjustable platform allows heavy box to be slid across
• mechanical assistance

Question 15

What are additional ergonomic hazards?

Answer 15

• vision: lighting/glare
• noise
• night work and shift work
• occupational stress,
• fatigue,
• indoor climate: temperature, dryness, air, pollution,
• color, music

Question 16

What are symptoms of MSD?

Answer 16

• discomfort
• Muscle fatigue, pain
• Aching
• Burning
• Numbness
• Stiffness
• Tingling
• Cramping/tightness, loss of flexibility
• Swelling
• Changing color

Question 17

When should you report symptoms (ergonomics)?

Answer 17

• pain is persistent, severe or worsening
• Pain radiates
• Symptoms include numbness or tingling
• Symptoms keep you from sleeping at night

Question 18

Why is it important to report symptoms?

Answer 18

• minor injuries can easily become chronic injuries, and can sometimes lead to disability, even surgery
• Early treatment is more successful

Question 19

Why is it important to design to fit the workers?

Answer 19

If a job task, equipment or machine does not fit the worker:
* The worker will have difficulty performing the task
* risk of injuries increased
* it takes more time to perform the same task (productivity is impacted)

Question 20

How do you make design decisions that fit the worker?

Answer 20

1. custom fit
   
   • more expensive
   • justified in some cases (hearing protection, for musicians/singers)
2. Design and select a person to fit.
   
   • companies have a ring, and if the workers do not fit through the ring, they do not get the job
   • Excessive reach distances or work only performed with one hand
3. make it adjustable
4. provide several fixes sizes
5. design for extremes to fit the majority

Question 21

What are the benefits of ergonomics?

Answer 21

• ergonomics help prevent injuries
• improved quality of work
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced fatigue and discomfort