Ergonomics and OSHA

Injuries related to workplace musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) have declined significantly since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants in 1993. Through guidelines, voluntary industry efforts, and outreach, rates of WMDs nationwide have declined 30-40% in the past 15 years.Voluntary GuidelinesOSHA has developed voluntary, industry-specific guidelines to help employers recognize and control ergonomic hazards. OSHA ergonomic guidelines cover the following industries:Meatpacking plantsPoultry processingNursing homesShipyardsRetail groceriesWhile these industry-specific guidelines differ from one another in details, all are based on the same approach to solving ergonomic problems and are applicable to other industries. Ergonomic Process Any workplace can use OSHA’s process for protecting employees from ergonomic hazards, even in the absence of specific ergonomic guideline for that industry. OSHA’s ergonomic process includes:1.Management Support: Management sets goals and objectives for the ergonomics process. Management provides adequate resources to implement the process.2.Employee Involvement: Employees present concerns and suggestions, provide early reports of symptoms, and participate in ergonomics teams and task groups.3.Training: Trainers experienced in ergonomics for the specific industry train employees on recognition and prevention of ergonomic hazards and how to participate in the ergonomics process.4.Problem Identification: Observe the workplace, review injury and illness data, survey employees, and conduct job analyses to identify current and potential ergonomics-related risk factors. OSHA lists five general factors that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders among workers:Force – the amount of physical effort need to do a task (such as heavy lifting, pushing, pulling). Repetition – performing the same motion or series of motions frequently for an extended period of time. Awkward postures and prolonged static postures – positions that put stress on the body, such as repeated or prolonged reaching above the shoulder; bending forward or to the side; or twisting, kneeling, or squatting. Maintaining one position for a period of time (prolonged static postures) puts considerable stress on the body, even if the position itself is not awkward.Contact stress – pressing the body or part of the body against hard or sharp edges. Examples include leaning the forearm against a table edge and using the hand as a hammer.Vibration – using vibrating tools such as sanders, chippers, drills, grinders, or reciprocating saws. Causes fatigue, pain, numbness, increased sensitivity to cold, and decreased sensitivity to touch in fingers, hands, and arms. Whole body vibration may damage joints.5.Solutions: Changes to equipment, work practices, and procedures. 6.Injury Reporting: Prompt response to reports of symptoms or concerns, including appropriate medical treatment where needed.7.Evaluation: Regular assessment through observation, employee input, and data injury and illness data analysis.EnforcementWhile there is no enforceable OSHA standard for ergonomics, all employers have a general responsibility to protect workers from hazards that can cause serious injury. As such, OSHA expects every place of employment that has ergonomic hazards to take the steps necessary to reduce the hazards and protect workers. The ergonomic guidelines can help direct these efforts.For more information on OSHA’s approach to ergonomics and enforcement, go to http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/outreach.html.Author: John J. Kovacs/Kessler America, LLCFor your FREE “Insider Report On Ergonomics” with case studies please visit http://www.Kessleramerica.com today.