Ergonomics_In_Action.pdf

Ergonomics

In Action

Booklet III

Hazard Prevention and Control

Hazard Prevention and Control Overview

Ideally, the principles of ergonomics should be applied before workers start working on a new job. However,

ergonomics is still a relatively new field and many jobs, workstations, tools, and equipment were in place before

ergonomic designs were employed. Consequently, existing problems in the workplace need to be addressed by

implementing the correct solutions.

Initiate hazard

prevention

and control

The action team initiates the hazard prevention and control process once the hazards have been defined and

prioritized under worksite analysis. See Algorithm 2 in Booklet II.

Identify solution

To identify a solution to any ergonomics problem, the ergonomics subcommittee must first define the

management criteria for selecting an intervention method. These management criteria may include:

• Solution effectiveness (e.g., is the risk factor eliminated by the intervention, or to what degree is the risk

factor eliminated?).

• Timeliness (e.g., how much time will it take to implement the intervention?).

• Employee acceptance (this often determines the effectiveness and success of the intervention).

• The cost of intervention (e.g., what is the cost of the modifications under one intervention compared to the

cost of another intervention?).

In every instance, the ergonomics subcommittee must consider all criteria and ask:

• How does the criteria affect the worker and the workplace?

• What is the cost of the intervention versus the cost of the work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD)

over time?

There are often several possible interventions available to prevent or control exposure to WMSDs. The

ergonomics subcommittee must identify viable interventions on a case-by-case basis, and should consider all

possible—

• Engineering controls.

• Administrative controls.

• Personal protective equipment.

If the action team determines that the ergonomics problem is area-wide, they should notify the health care

provider of a possible health risk to other workers.

If the action team determines that the problem is related to a single WMSD case, which would require

individual accommodations and a return-to-work plan, they should coordinate and consult with the health care

provider to determine—

• The severity of the WMSD.

• The type of treatment to be prescribed.

• How that treatment affects the ergonomics intervention(s). See Booklet IV for detailed information.

In all instances, the ergonomics subcommittee’s decision process must be clear, documented, supported by the

organization, and justifiable.

Part III of this booklet lists and details the intervention methods in order of priority.

Select solution

Based on the established management criteria, the action team selects, prioritizes, plans, and recommends an

intervention method to management and employees.

Prototype and

implement

solution

The implementation of an intervention may involve a test or prototype before full implementation. Sample

workstations or limited changes in work methods can provide information about potential problems and

modifications that may be needed.

The ergonomics subcommittee evaluates the prototype once it has been in effect for a short time, and

determines if the intervention is an acceptable one (e.g., is the intervention feasible, effective, and

acceptable?).

•f yes , management and employees implement the intervention based on the action team’s

recommendations. The ergonomics subcommittee should also initiate education and training, including

job-specific training and an overview of the interventions begin implemented. See Algorithm 5 in Booklet

•f no , the action team selects and prototypes another intervention until one is acceptable.

Evaluate

Solution

Once an appropriate intervention is in place, and over time, the action team, under the direction of the

ergonomics subcommittee, reassesses the worksite to see if the problem is solved.

•f yes , appropriate reports are filed, with copies furnished to management and employees.

•f no , the action team selects another intervention.

In their recommendation, the action team should clarify what problem they are solving, as well as the

timeframe they will allow for a successful solution to the problem. The action team’s recommendation to

management must clearly outline the criteria they will use to determine if the solution was successful. As an

example, the action team could measure, among other things:

• Reduced WMSD risk factors.

• Reduced compensation costs.

• Reduced physical discomfort.

• Reduced absenteeism.

• Increased workplace comfort.

TG 220/DRAFT: ergobk3.601/June 14, 1999

• Increased productivity.

iii

TG 220/DRAFT: ergobk3.601/June 14, 1999

Contents

PART I: DESIGNING ERGONOMIC WORK ENVIRONMENTS .......................... 2

Anthropometry ............................................................... 2

Defining the Actual Working Population ......................................... 2

Identification of the Body Parts and Dimensions of Interest ........................... 2

Design Approaches ........................................................... 3

Design for the Range ........................................................ 3

Design for the Extreme ...................................................... 3

Design for the Average ...................................................... 6

Worksite Design Principles ...................................................... 6

Importance Principle ........................................................ 6

Frequency-of-Use Principle ................................................... 6

Function Principle .......................................................... 6

Sequence-of-Use Principle .................................................... 6

PART II: THE ERGONOMIC PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS ........................... 7

Identifying a Solution........................................................... 7

Solution effectiveness........................................................ 7

Timeliness ................................................................ 7

Employee acceptance ........................................................ 7

Cost ..................................................................... 7

Selecting a Solution ............................................................ 8

Prototyping and Implementing a Solution............................................ 9

Evaluating the Solution ......................................................... 9

PART III: USING ERGONOMIC INTERVENTIONS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING ............ 10

Engineering Controls .......................................................... 10

Process Elimination ........................................................ 10

Redesign of the Worksite .................................................... 10

Substitution .............................................................. 10

Administrative Controls ........................................................ 10

Personal Protective Equipment .................................................. 16

PART IV: COMMON PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS ................................... 17

Workstation Height ........................................................... 17

Lighting .................................................................... 20

Materials Handling............................................................ 22

Workstation .............................................................. 22

Job..................................................................... 23

Containers and Tools ....................................................... 25

Handtools ............................................................... 26

PART V. CHOOSING ERGONOMICS SOLUTIONS .................................. 27

PART VI. EVALUATING THE SOLUTION ......................................... 30

FIGURES:

1 Sample Work-Reach Envelope ................................................. 4

2 Sample Reach Dimensions .................................................... 5

3 Micro-Breaks and Exercise .................................................. 12

4 Exercises To Do In The Office ................................................ 13

5 Standing Work Surface Heights and Props to Accommodate the Standing Worker ......... 18

6 Sample Work Space Dimensions .............................................. 19

7 Recommended Illumination Levels ............................................. 21

8 Static Work .............................................................. 24

TG 220/DRAFT: ergobk3.601/June 14, 1999

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