WORKSPACE ERGONOMICS & STRESSIN LIBRARIES

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LIBRARIANSNovotel Manila Araneta Center, Quezon City

March 13 – 16, 2018

Objectives

Describe the global & national magnitude of ergonomic problems;

Recognize ergonomic issues;

Discuss the determinants of worker’s health;

Propose measures to mitigate risk factors & adverse health outcomes;

Discuss the medical surveillance as a preventive strategy; &

Identify the elements needed in successfully implementing an ergonomics programs.

Global Situation

Magnitude of the Problem

• Worldwideo 37% of low back pain deemed attributable to

occupational risk factor

• Regional distributiono 21% - 41% due to occupational risk factoro Higher in areas with lower health status

(Punnett, et. al., 2005)

• Sprains, strains, & tearso Leading nature of injury & illnesso Accounted for 38% of the total injury & illness cases

requiring days away from worko Of the 443,560 cases reported, 36% of the workers injured

their back

(US BLS, 2012)

Nonfatal Occupational Injuries & Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work

Philippine Situation

Cases of Occupational Injuries in Establishments Employing ≥20 Workers by Major Industry Group

(PSA-ISLE, 2013 & 2015)

Cases of Occupational Diseases in Establishments Employing ≥20 Workers

(BITS, 2009, 2011; PSA-ISLE, 2013, 2015)

Cases of Occupational Diseases in Establishments Employing ≥20 Workers

(PSA-ISLE, 2015)

Cases of WMSDs in Establishments Employing ≥ 20 Workers

(PSA-ISLE, 2015)

Ergonomics

What is ergonomics?

The scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human & other elements of a system, & the profession that applies theory, principles, data, & methods to design in order to optimize human

well-being & over-all system performance. (2000)

Human Biological Science+

Engineering Science____________________________________

MAXIMUM SATISFACTION & INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY

“ fitting the task to the person”

Ergonomics is a human-centered scientific discipline that seeks to fit the job to the workers.

Understand interactions of humans & work elements

Apply theoretical principles, data, & methods to design

Optimize human well being & overall system performance

EFFECT ON HEALTH

• Musculoskeletal• Vascular• Visual/ocular• Hearing• Skin• Psychological

EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE

• Low product quality• High rate of errors• Material wastage• Equipment damageIMBALANCE

IN THEWORK SYSTEM

• ABSENTEEISM• ACCIDENTS• COMPENSATION

COSTS

Ergonomics

• Goalo Reduce WMSDs developed by workers

• WMSDso Injuries & illnesses affecting muscles, nerves, tendons,

ligaments, joints or spinal discs

Who are at risk?

• Level of risk depends on

o Duration of exposure

o Multiplicity of exposure

o Level of exposure

Ergonomics

Risk Factors:

• Static posture

Ergonomics

Risk Factors:

• Static posture• Forceful exertion

Ergonomics

Risk Factors:

• Static posture• Forceful exertion• Repetitive movement

Ergonomics

Risk Factors:

• Static posture• Forceful exertion• Repetitive movement• Extreme range of motion

Ergonomics

Risk Factors:

• Static posture• Forceful exertion• Repetitive movement• Extreme range of motion• Awkward posture

Summary of Evidence Linking Risk Factors & WMSDs

Body Part Risk Factor Strength of Evidence

Back

Lifting/forceful movement

+++

Awkward posture ++

Heavy physical work ++

Whole body vibration +++

Static work posture +/0

(NIOSH, 1997)

Common Symptoms of MSDs

• Less strength for gripping or hand grasping

• Less range of motion

• Loss of muscle function

• Inability to do everyday tasks

• Painful joints

• Pain, tingling, numbness in hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders, knees & feet

• Shooting or stubbing pains

• Swelling or inflammation

• Fingers or toes turning white

• Back or neck pain

• Stiffness

Implications of WMSDs

• Reduced worker productivityo Lost time from worko Temporary or permanent disabilityo Inability to perform job taskso Increase in workers’ compensation costs

Risk Factor Areas

Personal Risk Factorssex

physical activity

age

strength

anthropometry

Risk Factor Areas

Risk Factors Inherent in the Task

• Work processes are determined byo Toolso Furnitureo Materialso Equipmento Machineryo Workstation layout

Design to Reduce Risk Factors

• Reduce risk factors pertaining to tasko Forceful exertions

Lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, pinching, pounding, hitting, jumping

o Awkward posture Reaching behind, twisting, working overhead, kneeling,

forward/backward bending, squatting

5 Force-Related Conditions which May Increase Risk of Injury

• Contact stress

• Grip

• Static exertion

• Segmental vibration

• Repetition

• Contact stresso When any part of the body presses against an external

object

5 Force-Related Conditions which May Increase Risk of Injury

• Grip

5 Force-Related Conditions which May Increase Risk of Injury

o Pinch grip

Depends on the fingers to exert the force & manipulate the object

Requires greater muscle strength

o Power grip

Uses the muscle of the entire hand to apply force & manipulate objects

Most effective & safest grip to use

With wearing gloves, more grip force is required to a particular task

• Static exertion

o Standing, sitting, or remaining in one posture for a long duration while you perform a task can increase the likelihood of injury.

o The greater the force, the more awkward the posture, & the longer the duration, the greater the risk.

5 Force-Related Conditions which May Increase Risk of Injury

Symptoms of Excessive Static LoadSymptoms Possible Ergonomic Causes

Feet & leg pain, varicose veins Standing in one place for too long

Lower back pain Trunk curved forward while standing/sitting

Shoulder & arm pain Arms outstretched, sideways, forward/upwards

Shoulders forced up due to position of work

Neck pain Head inclined too much backwards/forward

Forearm pain Unnatural grip

Static grip too forceful

Wrist pain Repetitive hand/finger motion

• Segmental vibration

o Handling of vibrating tools for prolonged duration may cause vascular insufficiency in the hand & fingers resulting in interference with sensory receptor feedback

o If a worker can’t “feel” the grip properly, he/she may compensate by applying more force than is necessary to hold & handle an object

5 Force-Related Conditions which May Increase Risk of Injury

• Repetition

o Measure of how frequently the same motion/exertion during a task is completed

o Severity depends on

Frequency of repetition, speed of the movement of action, number of muscle groups involved, required force

o Repetitiveness is influenced by

Machine/line pacing, incentive programs, piece work, unrealistic deadlines

5 Force-Related Conditions which May Increase Risk of Injury

• Force

• Posture

• Duration

• Recovery time

Other Contributing Factors

• Force

o High repetitiveness combined with high external forces & extreme postures probably represents the highest risk of MSDs

Other Contributing Factors

• Duration

o Measure of length of time of exposure to a risk factor

o Assumption

The longer the duration of exposure, the greater the risk of injury

o Other factors should also be considered

Other Contributing Factors

Other Contributing Factors• Recovery time

o Measure of rest (low stress activity) period available to the muscle group between similar exertions

o Important in preventing muscle fatigue

O2 & metabolites are allowed to rejuvenate while water products are removed from the muscle group

o Recovery time needed will lengthen as the duration of the task increases

• Heavy objects are lifted

• Bulky objects or can’t hold close to body while lifting

• Object lifted from the floor

• Asymmetric lifting

• Frequent lifting

Lifting

• Increased pushing effort in lower back

• Increased tendency for severity of LBP with increased pulling effort

Pulling & Pushing

• Position of the body while performing work activities

• Awkward postureo Deviation from the ideal working posture of arms at the side of the

torso, elbows bent, with the wrists straight

o Reaching behind

o Twisting

o Working overhead

o Kneeling

o Forward or backward bending

o Squatting

Posture

Risk Factor Areas

• Heat stresso Summer heat, heat from engines, heat from chemical processes &

reactions, body heat, welding, frictiono Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, dehydration, electrolyte

imbalance, loss of physical/mental work capacity

• Whole body vibrationo Driving of heavy equipmento Accelerated spinal degeneration, reduced capacity for material

handlingo The risk from vibration is related to the overall time the operator/driver

is exposed to the vibration & the number of shocks & jolts they experience each day

Environment Risk Factors

• Illumination

o Lighting in one workstation may be appropriate; but for another workstation, that same lighting may be potentially harmful

o Illumination levels ˃1000 lux present problems in the office environment

• Noise

o Serious temporary/permanent deafness

o Interfere with worker’s ability to focus/concentrate on the work at hand

Environment Risk Factors

• Psychosocial risk factors

o A healthy work environment depends a great deal on the attitudes of those involved

o To create a healthy work environment:

All parties should understand their roles in the overall work process

End users should participate in the selection of equipment, software, tools, & accessories

Employers should provide adequate operator training on the setup, adjustments, & risks associated with performing the job

Environment Risk Factors

• Psychosocial risk factors

o Psychosocial demands may produce increased muscle tension & exacerbate task-related biomechanical strain

o Psychosocial demands may affect awareness & reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms, &/or perceptions of their cause

Environment Risk Factors

Psychosocial Hazards(Cox, et.al., 2000)

Work-Related Stress

Determined by work organization, work design, & labor relations &occurs when the demands of the job do not match or exceed thecapabilities, resources, or needs of the worker, or when theknowledge or abilities of an individual worker or group to cope arenot matched with the expectation of the organizational culture ofan enterprise.

(ILO, 2016)

Interventions

• Goalso Reduce magnitude of risk factors

o Reduce duration of exposure Lengthen recovery time

Use other muscle groups and joints

Improve posture

• Look at available scientific information

• Learn from similar companies/companies with similar processes

• Look at available guidelines, laws, standards

Selection of Intervention

• Workplace modification

o Work location & dimensions

Objects to be lifted should be stored at or about waist high levelUse of raised platforms

Use of hydraulic lifts

Vertical storage of large objects

Objects to be lifted should be kept close to torso throughout liftDesign shelves that will allow close standing

Use of roller conveyors

Engineering Control

Engineering ControlErgonomic workstation

Engineering ControlProper stacking

Engineering Control

Engineering Control

• Workplace modification

o Work location & dimensions

Use of material handling device for sustained/repetitive carrying/liftingUse of carts

o Tool design

o Mechanical aids

Engineering Control

• Management/personnel methods

o Job rotation

o Work enlargement

o Rest breaks

o Motion economy

o Training & education

Administrative Control

Workplace Collective Measures to Prevent Work-Related Stress(ILO, 2012b)

Administrative Control

Alternate sit-stand workstation for mobile workers

Ergonomics Program

Approach in Ensuring Well-being of Workers

Looking at developmental strategies Looking at regulatory requirements

• Information• Education• Training• Campaigns• Good practices• Successful cases• Competitions• Demonstrations• Interventions

• Relevant laws, standards, issuances, & guidelineso Enforcemento Implementationo Inspectiono Evaluation

Elements of Ergonomics Program

Identify ergonomic risk factors

Evaluate risk factors

Select intervention

Implement intervention

Monitor effectiveness of intervention

Building Blocks for Development of OSH Services

1. The OSH policy of the company

2. Acute care for illnesses & injuries

3. Environmental monitoring

4. Preplacement, periodic health, & other fitness-to-work evaluations

5. IH & other prevention-oriented services

Regulatory Compliance1000 – General Provisions

1030 – Training & Accreditation

1040 – OSH Committee

1050 – Notification & Keeping of Occupational Illnesses & Injuries

1070 – Environmental Control

1960 – OH Services

Rule 1960: Objectives of OH Services

1. Identification & assessment of health hazards

2. Surveillance of factors in working environment & working practices

3. Advice on planning & organization of work

4. Participation in development of programs for improvement of working practices

5. Advice on OH, safety & hygiene, ergonomics & PPE

6. Surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work

7. Promoting adaptation of work to workers

8. Collaboration in providing information, training, & education in OH, IH, & ergonomics

9. Organizing of first-aid & emergency treatment

10. Participation in analysis of occupational accidents & occupational diseases

Rule 1960: OH Services• Requirements for medical personnel in workplaces

• Duties of employers, OHPs, OHNs, FAs

• OH Program:o Health examinations

Entrance

Periodic

Special

Transfer

Separation

o Immunization program

o Health education & counseling

o Health records maintenance

Medical Surveillance• Systematic monitoring of health events

• To prevent, detect, & control occupational hazards & their associated diseaseso Entrance (baseline) examinationo Periodic screening (specific, job-related)o Fitness for duty (specific cause)o Exit examination

Medical Surveillance• Importance

o Identify cases Early detection of job-related health problems (2°)

Determine their causes

o Analyze trends & patterns in the workforce to guide prevention efforts (1°)

Supplement environmental monitoring to confirm the effectiveness of controls

o Meet regulatory requirements

Symptom Survey

(http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/pdfs/97-117.pdf)

http://www.ilo.org/safework/info/publications

Stress Prevention thru Technology