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Objectives
Employing Ergonomics for the At the end of the presentation, the attendees will:

Prevention of 1.
2.
Identify three ergonomic risk factors.
Be able to apply two injury prevention - ergonomic concepts.
Musculoskeletal Injuries 3.
4.
Learn three mechanisms to minimize risk of injury.
Apply two principles of body mechanics to prevent injuries.

MAHER KHARMA SCD, MHS, OTR/L, CEAS, CAPS

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My Story: How Did I Get Into Ergonomics? What is Ergonomics?

qInjured workers got better after therapy, however, they returned to work, were re-injured and
returned to therapy.
‘Ergonomics’ is derived from two Greek words
qRealized that we are providing incomplete management, leaving work environment out of the
picture.
Ergon meaning work
qdeveloped the need to fulfil gap between therapy and work-related injuries.
qbecame aware that there is such a science that informs practitioners regarding work-related injury and
prevention principles….known as “ergonomics”.
Nomos meaning principles or laws
q I studied ergonomics as part of my masters.. And few years later became a Certified Ergonomic
Assessment Specialist (CEAS).
qServed as an ergonomic consultant for the Federal Office of Health. Ergonomics = The Science of Work
qlectured on ergonomics at local universities, at NASA, and was interviewed on radio channels to The phrase was first coined in 1857.
discuss ergonomics in daily routine.
qMy Ergonomics-related knowledge paved my way to developed interest in aging in place and in Ergonomics is “employing body physics to optimize an injury-free
Seating & positioning areas. function”.

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Prevalence
Ergonomics
“Ergonomics is essentially
fitting the workplace to the
worker. The better the fit
the higher the level of safety
and worker efficiency.”

“Fitting the Task to the Human ~

Grandjean 1990”

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Mechanisms of injury

Liberty
Mutual
Insurance
Company • Low load muscle activity for several hours every day several days each week
Safety (Prolonging sitting, reaching, or lifting) may cause injury. It leads to alterations
Index. In of metabolic concentrations making the muscle more susceptible to necrotic
2016 the changes which eventually leads to micro-tears & scarring in soft tissue.
top 10
causes and • Inflamed tendon protective sheath: Tenosynovitis, DeQurvains.
direct costs
of the most • Ganglionic cysts: caused by fluid collecting in the wrists (due to typing, etc.).
disabling
U.S.
workplace
• Nerve damage such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, where the cavities in the wrist
injuries and
collapse and compress the nerves running to the hand.
accidents.
• Raynaud’s Syndrome, is caused by the prolonged use of vibrating tools.

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Injury

Weakness/ Pain and

Compensation Limited Use

Pain
Muscles
atrophy and Joint swelling
Fatigue

Vicious
Cycle Pain and Joint
Instablility
Difficulty
Moving

Stiff/loss of
flexibility

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Ergonomic Risk Factors High task repetition: Many work tasks and cycles are repetitive in nature.
High task repetition, when combined with other risks factors such high force
and/or awkward postures, can contribute to the formation of MSD. A job is
considered highly repetitive if the cycle time is 30 seconds or less.
Excessive Force: Many work tasks require high force loads on the human
1. Forceful Exertions body (e.g., hammering, drilling, cutting, etc.). Muscle effort increases in

Ergonomic Risk
2. Repetitive/Sustained Awkward Postures Ergonomic response to high force requirements, increasing associated fatigue which
can lead to MSD.
Factor Risk Factors Awkward Postures: Awkward postures place excessive force on joints and
3. High Task Repetition overload the muscles and tendons around the effected joint. Joints of the
body are most efficient when they operate closest to the mid-range motion
of the joint. Risk of MSD is increased when joints are worked outside of this
mid-range repetitively or for sustained periods of time without adequate
recovery time.

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Risk Factors

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Common Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) What are the Signs & Symptoms of Cumulative
Trauma Disorders (CTDs)?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Epicondylitis. ◦ Painful aching joints, muscles
◦ Pain, tingling or numbness
Tendonitis/Tendonosis.
◦ Fingers or toes turning white
DeQurvains Tenosynovitis.
◦ Shooting or stabbing pains
Rotator cuff tendonitis.
◦ Swelling or inflammation
Capsulitis.
◦ Stiffness or difficulty moving
Ganglion cyst.
◦ Burning sensation
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ◦ Pain during the night

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Top Ten Occupations for MSDs

Carpal Tunnel Pressures
• Nurse aides Normal pressure CTS
• Truck drivers ◦ Neutral wrist flexion: 2.5 mm ◦ Neutral wrist flexion: 32 mm
• Laborers not involved in construction work Hg Hg
• Assemblers ◦ 90º flexion: 31 mm Hg ◦ 90º flexion: 94 mm Hg
• Janitors and cleaners ◦ Extension: 30 mm Hg ◦ Extension: 110 mm Hg
• Registered nurses
• Stock handlers and baggers
• Construction laborers
• Cashiers
• Carpenters

Gelberman: JBJS(A) 1981

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How Good is
Your
Posture?

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Assessment Tools
Where Do Ergonomics
Apply?
RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment): evaluates exposure of individuals to
ergonomic risk factors associated with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Office Ergonomics Strain Index: Method to Analyze Jobs For Risk Of Distal Upper Extremity Disorders

Liberty Mutual Tables: identify norms and risk related to lifting/job completion
Industrial Ergonomics NIOSH Lifting Equation: serves to identify risk related with lifting various weights.

Home Ergonomics REBA: Rapid Entire Body Assessment method is a postural targeting method for
estimating the risks of work-related entire body disorders.

Snook Tables: developed at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and is used to find
the percent of an industrial population capable of sustaining the efforts tabulated in
lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying.

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NIOSH Lifting Equation What Are Ergonomic Controls/Solutions?

Data Collection Sheet
(National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health)
Putting control measures in place reduce injury risk. Ergonomics opportunities should be systematically
identified and reduced through ergonomic controls:
Engineering Controls – Eliminate or reduce awkward postures with ergonomic modifications that seek to
maintain joint range of motion to accomplish work tasks within the mid-range of motion positions for
vulnerable joints. Proper ergonomic tools should be utilized that allow workers to maintain optimal joint
positions.
Work Practice Controls – Work procedures that consider and reduce awkward postures should be
implemented. In addition, workers should be trained on proper work technique and encouraged to accept
their responsibility to use their body properly and to avoid awkward postures whenever possible.
Job Rotation – Job rotation and job task enlargement is a way to reduce repeated and sustained awkward
postures that can lead to MSD.
Counteractive Stretch Breaks – Implement rest or stretch breaks to provide an opportunity to counteract any
repeated or sustained awkward postures and allow for adequate recovery time.
Personal Protective Equipment: back belts, gloves, masks, goggles, & ear plugs.

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Interventions

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Lab Ergonomics

Engineering
Controls:
Workstation
height

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1. Adjustable Seat Height

Ergonomically designed household items 2. Adjustable seat depth and width

3. Adjustable lumbar support

Features of an 4. Adjustable backrest
Ergonomic
Office Chair 5. Additional seat and the backrest padding

6. Adjustable Armrests

7. Swivel and Extra base support

8. Head and Neck Adjustment

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Work Practice Controls

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Keyboards

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Ergonomics Produce Comfort & Symmetry

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Best Computer Mouse!!

ERGONOM IC “HORIZONTAL” M OUSE: M OST POPULAR DUE TO ERGONOMIC “VERTICAL” MOUSE: BUTTONS ARE LOCATED ON
USERS’ FAMILIARITY W ITH THE DESIGN. IS ARGUABLY STILL THE THE SIDE. THERE IS LITTLE TO NO TW ISTING OF THE W RIST, TAKES
BEST OPTION FOR PRODUCTIVITY TRAINING.

Trackball Mouse: users roll a ball to control the Joystick Mouse: best for people with musculoskeletal
issues. Requires no pronation of the wrist whatsoever.
mouse cursor. Requires no wrist or arm movements Precision seems to be an issue.
to operate.
Ergonomic ADL Equipment

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Best & Worst

Working
Positions

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Body Mechanics

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Office
Stretching
Breaks

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1. Ergonomics cuts medical Costs. Multi-angled Approach to addressing Spine Pain

Benefits of By designing a job to allow for good
2. Ergonomics improves productivity.
applying posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches, the
workstation becomes more efficient.
Workplace q Exercises & mobilization

Ergonomics 3. Ergonomics improves quality.Poor ergonomics leads to frustrated and

fatigued workers that don’t do their best work. When the job task is too
q Posture correction
physically taxing on the worker, they may not perform their job like they q Sleep positioning
were trained. q Body mechanics
4. Ergonomics improves employee engagement.
If an employee does not experience q Workstation Ergonomics
fatigue and discomfort during their workday, it can reduce turnover, decrease q Reconditioning/work hardening
absenteeism, improve morale and increase employee involvement.

5. Ergonomics creates a better safety culture.

Ergonomics shows your company’s
commitment to safety and health as a core value.

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Everyday Ergonomics = Alignment What are the elements of an ergonomics Program?

•Step 1: Prioritize Jobs for Ergonomic Analysis

•Step 2: Conduct Ergonomic Analysis
•Step 3: Develop an Ergonomic Opportunity List
•Step 4: Determine Best Solution with Team Approach
•Step 5: Obtain Final Approval and Implement Solution
•Step 6: Evaluate the Ergonomic Improvement

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Ergonomic Guidelines for Various

Identify Ergonomic Hazards in these pictures
Industries
§ Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants.
§ Solutions for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Foundries.
§ Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
§ Guidelines for Shipyards: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
§ Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal
Disorders
§ Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Poultry Processing

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/

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https://ergo-plus.com/ergonomic-assessment-tools/

Where Do We Go From Here?

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-100/removal.html
qPractice proper ergonomics principles at home, clinic and at your office.
qResearch, advance your knowledge, seek mentorship. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/
qReach out to organizations/corporations' leadership to promote an injury-free workplace.
Resources/
qDevelop a sound ergonomic program & presentation.
References http://www.humantech.com/ergopoint/
qProvide multi- dimensional therapeutic intervention that include elimination of hazards.
qBe passionate: Enjoy employing ergonomics to help people live a healthier lifestyle. http://www.ergonomicresource.com/

http://store.hermanmiller.com/Products/Aeron-Chair?

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The End

Q&A

[email protected]

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