Ergonomics in the workplace

Ergonomics in the workplace „ Relax get comfortable „ Ask questions during the presentation „ And, most important . . . Session Rules Please hold the applause until the end Why is Ergonomics Important? Risk Management Dilemma „ MSDs are leading workers’ compensation cost drivers All Other Claims 60% MSD Costs 40% Workers’ Compensation Costs Total Cost of Risk General Liability 24% Workers Comp 65% Auto Liability 11% Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are: „Illnesses that result from longterm exposure to repetitive and forceful motions and activities „Conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, and nerves „Caused by exposures at home and at work „Frequently ignored by employees until the symptoms become severe

MHEC: Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Presented by Sophia Papaefthimiou

Kansas City, MO

March 18, 2005

Ergonomics in the Workplace

injuries

Marsh 3

„ Relax & get comfortable

„ And, most important

Session Rules

Please hold the applause

until the end!

Why is Ergonomics Important?

Marsh 5

Risk Management Dilemma

drivers

All Other Claims 60%

MSD*

Costs 40%

Workers’ Compensation Costs Total Cost of Risk

General

Liability

24%

Workers' Comp 65%

Auto Liability 11%

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are:

„ Illnesses that result from long-term exposure to repetitive and forceful motions and activities

„ Conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, and nerves

„ Caused by exposures at home and at work

„ Frequently ignored by employees until the symptoms

become severe

MSDs and Days Away from Work

MSDs result in the highest number of days away from work!

How Much Do MSDs Cost In The U.S.?

Fortune 500 Average Revenue

How Much Do MSDs Cost?

Marsh 9

Benchmarking Annual MSD Costs

Impact on the Economy

Ergonomics Terminology

Marsh 11

Let’s Start With Some Definitions

„ Repetitive motion injuries

Ergonomics is

„ The art and science of fitting the job to the person

Marsh 13

Why Is This Important To You?

„ Ergonomics helps you

9Avoid painful injuries

Cumulative Trauma Disorders Are

„ Illnesses caused by long

term exposure to repetitive and

forceful activities

„ Caused by exposures at home

and at work

„ Frequently ignored by employees

until the symptoms become

severe

„ Called CTDs

Marsh 15

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Are

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

„ An illness affecting the hand and

wrist

mistreated

used to describe any wrist pain

Ergonomic Risk Factors

Ergonomic Risk Factors

„ Conditions and activities that increase the

likelihood of incurring an MSD

„ Affect people differently

MSDs

Let’s keep

it simple!

Stressful Postures & Motions

Inward forearm rotation

Outward forearm rotation

Stressful Postures and Motions

Marsh 23

Stressful Postures & Motions

Ulnar Deviation = 40 o 75% Grip Strength

Neutral Wrist Posture = 0 o 100% Grip Strength

Radial Deviation = 40 o 75% Grip Strength

Force

Marsh 25

Force can be Caused by

„ Holding vibrating tools

„ Repetition refers to performing a task or

series of motions over and over again with

little variation

Personal Risk Factors

Ergonomic Control Measures

$100 solutions do exist!

– Redesign workstations

– Redesign workflow

– Install material handling equipment

– Provide proper tools

Marsh 31

Ergonomic Control Measures

– Work method changes

– Two-person lifts

Ergonomic Control Measures

„ Administrative controls

– Job rotation

– Employee training

– Exercise programs

Take Control Of Your Ergonomic Exposures

You Can Take Control By

Marsh 35

„ Using the proper work method

„ Letting your tools do the work

You Can Take Control By

„ Using the proper work

Marsh 37

„ Using the proper work method

„ Letting your tools do the work

„ Using material handling equipment

You Can Take Control By

Apply Proper Body Mechanics

„ Pull objects close to the

body when lifting

You are hereby officially

empowered from this time

forward to adjust your workstations to move

things closer

Before

After

Marsh 39

„ Pull objects close to the

body when lifting

positions

– Back & neck straight

sides

– Wrists straight

Apply Proper Body Mechanics

„ Pull objects close to the body

when lifting

„ Maintain neutral body postures

– Legs

Apply Proper Body Mechanics

Marsh 41

„ Pull objects close to the body when

lifting

„ Maintain neutral body postures

„ Use the stronger muscle groups

„ Pull objects close to the body when

lifting

„ Maintain neutral body postures

„ Use the stronger muscle groups

„ Take periodic “micro-breaks”

„ Exercise & stay in shape

Apply Proper Body Mechanics

Marsh 43

„ Persistent swelling or pain

in the hand/wrist

„ Wrist pain at night

the back

Report Early CTD Symptoms

„ Tell your supervisor immediately

qualified physician

„ Follow the doctor’s orders!

If You Note Early Warning Signs

Session Summary

Session Summary

injuries

Thank You!

Sophia Papaefthimiou Marsh USA Inc.

Risk Consulting Practice 500 W Monroe

Chicago, IL 60661

312 627 6952 Fax: 312 627 6396 Sophia.Papaefthimiou@marsh.com

MARSH