Setting Up an Ergonomic Team Using the WorkSafe Software

Presenter: Louise LynchThursday, July 21, 2011 ~ 3:30 -4:30 pm EST

Brief Background

• Non-Functional Ergonomic Teams

• Complaints “falling through the cracks

• Missing component: how do you solve real ergonomic problems

Brief Overview of Matheson WorkSafe

Developed by Industrial PT and Matheson to provide a way for industry and consultants to work together to solve work-related soft-tissue complaints

Online Tools For “Solution-Based” Ergonomics and Case Tracking

Specific Roles:• Employee• Supervisor/HR• Safety Team Member• Consultant• Management

Intuitive * Solutions-Based * Team ApproachRecognized Tools * Involvement at all Levels

WorkSafe Webinars Review

• How WorkSafe Solves Ergonomic Issues• Identifying and Quantifying Ergonomic Risk Factors

• Using Link Analysis To Set Up Work Stations• Finding Hazards Using Hazard Zone Checklist• Mastering the WorkSafe Employee Portal

Ergonomic Team Purpose

• Employee involvement at all levels is supported by literature and OSHA

• Facilitators to ergonomic change

• Broadens the knowledge-base to ensure all aspects of the job are taken into account

Goal of Safety/Ergonomic Team

• Third line of defense after employees and supervisor

• Prevent costly soft-tissue injuries related to work

• To ensure that employee and supervisor input is implemented

• To catch problem areas early before they have human and $$ costs

Representatives from each category should be involved. The number depends upon the size of the company

• Safety/Health• Employee• Human Resource• Facilities• Supervisor• Management• Procurement• IT• Engineering

Who Should Be on the Team?

Consultant Options

• As part of a company’s ergonomic team an outside expert in ergonomics can

help an ergonomics team get started.

• Role: advisor, trainer, and problem solving for difficult cases.

• If you have your own site, you can set up companies within your site.

Ergonomic Team Goals• To evaluate employee complaints not solved by the

supervisor or employee• To reactively evaluate risk based upon OSHA logs and

injury data• To proactively evaluate work area’s for potential risk• To problems solve as a group difficult issues• To prevent risk factors and complaints from disappearing

and then causing an injury• To be educated in ergonomic risk factors and solutions• To pass on risks that cannot be solved to the appropriate

consultant.• LASTLY- Ensure that cases are closed with no risk of injury

• • • •

• • • •

The WorkSafe Ergonomic Team Training

• Risk Analysis Using the Tools for Risk Factor Analysis

• Problem Solving Strategies

Ergonomic Team Responsibilities• Meet on a regular basis

• Be responsible for case assignments

• Proficient in tool use and reporting

• Presenting difficult cases for group input or proper re-assignment based upon skill set

• Solve the Issue or Pass it On

What is Needed• Advanced understanding of Ergonomics

• How to Reduce Risk Factors• Communication of Issues as Part of a Team

Building a Case: Prevents

issues from falling through

the cracks!

For Each Case: Industry-Accepted Tools and

Real-World Solutions

Let’s Take a Look!

Ergonomic Team Job Progression

• Input into new lines, processes or equipment prior to implementation (Proactive)

• Fitting work to the current workers (Proactive) • Follow-up before cases are closed

• Symptom and OSHA surveys• Risk Factor Analysis (Proactive)

Ergonomic Team Tools

Let’s Take A Look!

Proactive

Preventative

Self-Responsibility

www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/• You can download in PDF format• Extensive with lots of references

Monthly fee that you can stop at any time:$39.95/month Basic Package OR $69.95/month Plus Package

Cost Benefit: $40-70/month for WorkSafe compared to $150 earned for one onsite consulting visit

Recoup your cost with just one ergonomic evaluation per month

Become part of our network of users

All data is held in one place and easily accessible

“Real-Time” ProgressPromotes Teamwork and Accountability

Use on an iPad or other mobile technology