Lubing Your Levers and Gears Ergonomics 101 © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation.

Lubing Your Levers and Gears

Ergonomics 101

© 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Objectives Recognize ergonomic basics Demonstrate proper lifting/standing/sitting

positions Identify employee behaviors/techniques that

may lead to injury Recognize early warning signs of injury Demonstrate stretching techniques for

prevention© 2008 Purdue Research Foundation

Ergonomics Defined Ergonomics is the science of designing the

environment to meet the humans needs. Safety Comfort Ease of Use Productivity/ performance


Ergonomic Definitions Engineering Control- Items or methods used at the

workstation to reduce risk of injury

Administrative Control- Other modifications that include training, job rotation, job enlargement

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)- A range of conditions that affect the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments or nerves


Ergonomics at *** Customize to highlight issues at a specific company


Manufacturing Ergonomics Job requirements/ job station Changing employee technique Recognize signs and symptoms of injury early Take preventive measures


The Job is the Job Sometimes change isn’t possible Consider administrative controls

Job rotation Job enlargement Frequent breaks


Changing Employee Technique Body posture Work technique

Retraining is key Provide inexpensive supports


Proper Posture Freeze! Assess how you are sitting right now Proper seating should have:

Back support Foot support Stable seating Arms rests as applicable


Proper Sitting Posture


Issues at **** What can we do to minimize the strain on her back? Insert image of employee working with bad posture


Proper Standing Posture Maintain 3 curves in spine (neck, chest, lower

back) Poor alignment will lead to pain

Can lead to chronic problems Poor posture often associated with weak back

or stomach muscles Posture gets worse throughout the day as fatigue

sets in


Standing Posture Test Stand against a wall with feet 2-4 inches away Your head, upper back and rear end should touch

the wall Slide your hand behind your back

Just fits? Perfect Too tight? Relax stomach muscles Too loose? Tighten stomach muscles

Now walk away…


Issues at **** What can we do to reduce her risk of injury?

Insert image


Change Employee Work Technique Employees do not purposely use bad

technique Bad technique can lead to injury Consider:

Monthly observations of habits Quarterly or bi-annually mini refresher sessions Mentoring program for new hires


Issues at **** What can we do to reduce her risk of injury?

Insert image


Reducing Risk Offer engineering controls Consider:

Step stools to reduce fatigue Proper seating (foot rests if high chairs) Placing equipment/product on stools to reduce

bending Personal protective equipment


Recognizing Signs/Symptoms Seek treatment early!

Reduced chronic injury Better outcomes

Communicating with your employees Encourage visit to primary care physician Don’t assume Workers Compensation case


Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMI)


Work Related Causes of RMI Repetition Speed of work Duration of exposure Pincer grip Cold temperature Wrist, elbow or shoulder deviations


Repetitive Motion Injuries Nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome,

tenosynovitis) Tendons (tendonitis)


Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compression of the main nerve in the wrist Due to thickening tendons in the carpal tunnel


Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Signs/Symptoms

Numbness of index, middle and ring finger Nocturnal numbness prior to other symptoms Pain or weakness reported occasionally Usually made worse by performing repetitive

movements, forceful grip, or static use of the hands

Must be treated to avoid long term damage


DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis Thickening of the tendon sheath below the

thumb. Limits thumb function


DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis Sign/Symptoms

Pain Often throbbing or stabbing

Stiffness in thumb joint Onset is usually gradual

This condition is hard to treat in advanced cases


Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Irritation or inflammation of tendons near the

elbow joint Can be medial or lateral


Epicondylitis Sign/Symptoms

Pain at elbow Pain does not radiate or spread Usually no numbness


Back Injuries and Pain Cost the most money to treat Only 10-15% of cases have a known cause Most episodes are short lived Can be caused by damage to:

Muscles Tendons Intervertebral discs


Back Injury and Pain Work related causes include:

Poor or unusual posture Lifting heavy loads Pushing or pulling loads Strains and sprains from quick movement Bending, stretching, reaching


Personal Risk Factors for Injury Obesity Cigarettes Lack of Exercise Chronic disease

High blood pressure Diabetes


An Ounce of Prevention… Communicate awareness Encourage exercises

Stretching Strengthening

Promote healthy behaviors


Communication Make awareness a priority Highlight proper form or technique at

meetings Provide fact sheets or posters as reminders Encourage employees to address issues early


Encourage Exercises Stretching to keep muscles and tendons

flexible Strengthening to build up endurance


Stretching Exercises Hand/wrist stretches Shoulder stretches Back stretches


Strengthening Exercises Hand exercises Stomach exercises Back exercises

Encourage use of the gym discount!


Promote Healthy Behaviors Healthy behaviors reduce risk of injury and

illness Encourage annual physician visits Promote exercise Promote smoking cessation


Applying Your KnowledgeDemo other poor lifting/reaching etc behaviors


Summary Ergonomics “fits” the job to the person Issues can be addressed early to reduce

chronic or severe ailments Prevention is possible

Engineering controls Administrative controls


Acknowledgements This program was designed by:

Allison Bryan MS

Certified Health Education Specialist

This product was funded by a grant awarded under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use only.


Lubing Your Levers and Gears Ergonomics 101 © 2008 Purdue Research Foundation.

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