Ergonomics Industrial

© BLR®, a division of Simplify Compliance LLC 2106

ERGONOMICS INDUSTRIAL
About This Module 2107

Session
Welcome Overview
Objectives

Welcome to BLR training. Be sure to ask

your supervisor or trainer if you do not
understand any of the information
presented in the program.
ERGONOMICS INDUSTRIAL
About This Module 2107

Session
Welcome Overview
Objectives

MSDs are among the most frequently reported

causes of lost work time. Workers in many
different industries and occupations can be
exposed to MSD risk factors at work. By
understanding basic ergonomics, you can
minimize MSD risk factors, avoid strains on your
body, and reduce your risk of injury.
ERGONOMICS INDUSTRIAL
About This Module 2107

Session
Welcome Overview
Objectives

At the completion of this module, the participant

will be able to:
• Recognize the importance of ergonomics
• Define MSDs
• Identify ergonomic risk factors
• Recognize MSD symptoms
• Identify control methods for MSD hazards
• Perform tasks safely, and avoid musculoskeletal
injuries and illness
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What Is Ergonomics? 2107

• Fit task to worker

• Reduce injuries and illnesses
• Engineering controls
• Administrative and work
practice controls
• PPE
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OSHA Regulation of Ergonomics 2107

General Duty Clause

• Applies to unregulated hazards
• Failure to keep a hazard-free workplace
• Hazard recognized by employer or employer’s industry
• Hazard could cause death or serious harm
• Method exists to correct the hazard
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What Are MSDs? 2107

Injuries or disorders involving:

• Muscles
• Tendons and ligaments
• Joints
• Cartilage
• Blood vessels
• Nerves
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Characteristics of MSDs 2107

• Occur from a single event or many small injuries

• Take weeks, months, or years to develop
• Produce no symptoms in early stages but show symptoms after
injury has occurred
• Contributing causes may occur at home and at work
• Same MSD may differ in severity from person to person doing
a similar task
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MSD Symptoms 2107

• Back and neck—shooting pain,

stiffness
• Shoulders—pain, stiffness, loss
of mobility
• Arms and legs—shooting pains,
numbness
• Elbow and knee joints— pain,
swelling, stiffness, soreness
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MSD Symptoms (cont.) 2107

• Hands and wrists— swelling,

numbness, loss of strength
• Fingers—jerking movements or loss
of strength, mobility, and feeling
• Thumbs—pain at the base
• Feet and toes—numbness, tingling,
stiffness, burning sensation
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Outward Signs of MSDs 2107

• Swelling or inflammation
of joints
• Vigorously shaking hands
• Massaging hands, wrists,
or arms
• Cradling arms
• Limping
• Stiff back
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Common MSDs 2107

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Low back pain
• Tendinitis
• Trigger finger
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Common MSDs (cont.) 2107

• De Quervain’s disease—
forceful grip
• Carpet layer’s knee—contact
trauma
• Rotator cuff tendinitis—
repetitive motion
• Herniated disk— bending and
twisting
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome
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Act on the Signs of MSDs 2107

Act immediately:
• Report the problem
• Seek medical attention
• Early intervention can
prevent permanent injury
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Risk Factors That Lead to MSDs 2107

• Repetitive motions
• Forceful exertions
• Awkward postures
• Pressure points or
contact stress
• Vibrations
• Using tools not
ergonomically designed
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Risk Factor—Repetitive Motion 2107

• Stress on muscles and tendons

• Contributing factors:
• Duration and speed of
repetitious movement
• Number of muscles involved
• Required force
• Raising and lowering the arm
over and over again
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Forceful Exertions 2107

• Inflammation of tendons,
nerves, joints
• Contributing factors:
• Type of grip
• Weight of object
• Body posture
• Type and duration of
the task

Image Credit: OSHA

ERGONOMICS INDUSTRIAL
Awkward Postures 2107

• Stress on muscles and tendons

• Contributing factors:
• Reaching overhead
• Force the body must
maintain to hold the position
• Holding fixed positions
(static loading)
• Lifting while twisting, reaching,
or turning
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Contact Stress 2107

• Pressing against or
grabbing a hard object puts
pressure on nerves,
tendons, and blood vessels
• Contributing factors:
• Repetition
• Duration of contact
• Grip strength required
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Vibration 2107

• Affects tendons, muscles,

joints, nerves
• Contributing factors:
• Prolonged grip
• Restricts blood supply to
hands and fingers
• Tools without vibration-
dampening device
• Poor power tool
maintenance
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Ergonomics Engagement 2107

• Job assessment
• MSD reporting and response system
• Designated coordinator
• Training
• Encourage employee participation and reporting of MSDs
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Identifying and Controlling MSD Hazards 2107

• Determine whether MSD

hazards exist and degree of risk
• Devise a control strategy with
your input
• Implement control measures
• Training
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Control Methods 2107

• Install engineering controls including, workstation layout

and proper tools
• Institute work practice controls including, neutral postures
for performing tasks
• Administrative controls, including rescheduling to reduce
frequency or duration of exposure to MSDs
• PPE to provide a protective barrier between worker and
MSD hazard
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How to Protect Yourself 2107

• Change positions often; take

stretch breaks
• Maintain neutral posture
whenever possible
• Eliminate or reduce MSD
risk factors
• Use material-handling aids
• Report MSD symptoms
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Key Points to Remember 2107

• Ergonomics fits task to

worker to reduce injuries
• MSDs are disorders of
nervous system, soft tissue
• Risk factors: repetition,
forceful exertion, awkward
postures, contact stress,
vibration
• Most common symptom is
pain or stiffness
• Set up your workstation to
minimize strain
• Perform tasks safely by
changing positions and
using neutral posture