Ergonomics Program

29 CFR 1910.900

Goals

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)

• Summary of the Ergonomics Standard

• Quiz

What Is Ergonomics?

• Science of fitting jobs to

the people who do them

• Goal is to reduce work-

related MSD when

their jobs require repetitive

reaching, bending, lifting,

using force, working with

vibrating equipment, and

doing other repetitive

motions

What Are MSDs?

• Muscles

• Nerves

• Tendons

• Ligaments

• Joints

• Spinal discs

Common MSDs

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Tendinitis

• Trigger finger

• Raynaud’s syndrome

• De Quervain’s disease

• Rotator cuff tendinitis

• Carpet layers’ knee

• Herniated spinal disc

• Low back pain

Signs of MSDs

• Less strength for gripping

• Less range of motion

• Loss of muscle function

• Inability to do everyday tasks

Common Symptoms of MSDs

• Painful joints such as wrists, shoulders,

forearms, knees

• Pain, tingling, numbness in hands or feet

• Shooting pain in arms or legs

• Swelling, inflammation, burning

sensation

• Fingers or toes turning white

• Back or neck pain or stiffness

Report Signs or Symptoms of MSDs

• Permanent disability may result if not

reported early

• Employer is required to respond

promptly to your report

• Report signs or symptoms of MSDs to

your supervisor or Human Resources

representative

• Report MSD hazards

Repetition

• Same motion over and

over puts stress on

muscles and tendons

• How often the

movement is repeated

• Speed of the movement

• Number of muscles

involved

• Required force

Forceful Exertions

• Amount of physical effort

required to perform a task

• Effort needed to control

equipment or tools

• Type of grip

• Weight of object

• Body posture

• Type and duration

of the task

Awkward Postures

• Reaching

• Twisting

• Bending

• Kneeling

• Squatting

• Working overhead

• Holding fixed

positions

Contact Stress

• Pressing your body against

a hard or sharp edge

• Puts pressure on nerves,

tendons, and blood vessels

• Allowing your wrists to

rest on the keyboard

when typing

• Holding tools with

hard handles

Vibration

• Sanders

• Grinders

• Chippers

• Routers

• Drills

• Saws

Goals

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)

• Summary of the Ergonomics Standard

• Quiz

Response to MSD Report

• Employer determines if

report is an MSD incident

• Employer provided access

to a healthcare provider

• Wages and benefits

protected while on light

duty or off work to recover

• Employer analyzes your job for MSD hazards

• Employer takes steps to reduce MSD hazards

MSD Incident

• Requires medical treatment beyond first

aid

• Assignment to light duty or temporary

time off work for recovery

• MSD signs or symptoms that last seven

or more consecutive days

Employer’s Response to MSD Incident

• Basic Screening Tool:

– Identifies risk factors that could lead to

MSD hazards

• Action Trigger:

– When risk factors on the job meet the levels

of exposure in the Basic Screening Tool

– Now a full blown ergonomics program must

be implemented

Management and Employee Participation

• MSD reporting and response system

• Designate persons with authority and resources to run the program

• Policies do not discourage employee participation or reporting of MSDs

• Employees participate in development, implementation, and evaluation of ergonomics program

MSD Management

• Employee provided

with access to a health

care professional

• Evaluation and

follow-up of

MSD incident

• Temporary work

restriction

Work Restriction Protection (WRP)

• 100% wages/benefits while on light duty

• 90% wages and full benefits if removed

from work

• WRP benefits last only a limited time

• Second opinions can be obtained by

employee or employer

Job Hazard Analysis

• Determine whether MSD

hazards exist

• Implement control

measures to reduce

the hazards

• Employee involvement in identification

and control is required

• Training for employees and supervisors

in affected jobs

Evaluate Ergonomics Program

• Employer must make

sure the program is

effective

• Ask employees for

their opinions

• Ensure hazards are

being addressed

• Make necessary changes

Recordkeeping

• Reports of MSDs or signs/symptoms of MSDs

• Responses to reports

• Job hazard analyses

• Hazard control measures

• Ergonomics program evaluations

• Records of work restrictions and doctor’s

written opinions

• Employees may have access to these records

Goals

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)

• Summary of the Ergonomics Standard

• Quiz

Summary

• Recognize MSD signs and symptoms

• Understand MSD hazards

• Learn to take steps to control MSD

hazards

• Report MSDs

• Participate in the Ergonomics Program

Quiz

1. Name one risk factor that determines if repetition

contributed to an MSD: ________________________.

2. Loss of the muscle function is a sign of an MSD.

True or False

3. MSDs are injuries to nerves and _________________.

4. Name a vibrating tool that could contribute to an MSD:

____________________________________________.

5. An MSD incident can be defined as

MSD symptoms that last seven or more

consecutive days. True or False

Quiz (cont.)

6. Describe a common MSD symptom: ________________.

7. Describe an awkward posture that you may experience while conducting your job: _______________________.

8. What does contact stress put pressure on that may result in an MSD? __________________________________

9. Employee participation is not needed for an effective Ergonomics Program. True or False

10.The type of grip is a risk factor to consider when evaluating jobs with forceful exertions. True or False

Quiz Answers

1. How often motion repeated, speed of movement, number of

muscles involved, or required forces

2. True

3. Soft tissue

4. Sander, grinder, chipper, router, drill, saw

5. True

6. Painful joints, tingling or numbness, shooting pain, swelling,

pale fingers, back or neck stiffness

7. Reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working

overhead, holding fixed position

8. Nerves, tendons, or blood vessels

9. False; employee participation is essential and fundamental

10. True