Ergonomics: Basics of Ergonomics

If you mention on-the-job injuries, people are likely to think of accidents that involve traumatic injuries, such as fractures, burns, or other clearly visible damage to the human body. But in fact, the fastest-growing category of workplace injuries involves damage that is much harder to see; injuries caused by repetitive motion and stress.

In today’s highly complex, rapidly changing business environment, people in all types of work are at greater risk for theses types of injuries. In a recent year over 281,000 work-related injuries in the United States were caused by repetition disorders—more than double the number reported four years earlier. The most common types of injuries are Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs).

Workplaces traditionally have been designed to move products or support machines efficiently. Since people have always seemed so adaptable, how they fit into the workplace has received less attention. But because of the increasing number of injuries caused by repetitive motion, excessive force and awkward postures, ergonomics has become a critical factor in workplace safety.

A solid ergonomics program can provide several benefits to your organization. "Basics of Ergonomics" will help workers understand ergonomics. Workers learn the risk factors and how they are controlled. Workers will be prepared to apply ergonomic concepts to their jobs and to actively support and contribute to your company’s ergonomic program.

Training for all industrial workers.

• What is Ergonomics
  • Defining ergonomics
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
• Risk Factors
  • Types of risk factors
  • The cumulative effect
• Ergonomic Improvements
  • Basic principles
  • Neutral body movements
  • Incorporating changes
• The Ergonomic Program
  • Elements of the ergonomic program

0.1

• Explain the concept of ergonomics.
  • Define ergonomics.
  • Identify the basic principle of ergonomics.
  • Describe how ergonomics reduces risk factors.
• Recognize musculoskeletal disorders.
  • List symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Recall that MSDs develop over time.
• Recognize ergonomic risk factors.
  • List three types of ergonomic risk factors.
  • Identify repetition as the risk factor associated with doing the same movement over and over.
  • Identify force as the risk factor associated with extra physical effort to perform a task.
  • Identify posture as the risk factor associated with working in non-neutral body positions.
  • Analyze posture for possible risk factors.
  • Agree that an occasional awkward position does not necessarily cause harm.
  • List items that are considered risk factors.
• Maintain neutral body movements to reduce risks.
  • Define neutral body movements.
  • Select examples of neutral body movements from a list.
• Use quick fixes to reduce risk factors.
  • Agree that work should close to the body and at elbow height.
  • Select quick ergonomic solutions from a list.
• Participate in your company ergonomic program.
  • Describe an Ergonomic Program.
  • Identify the possible processes in which an employee may be involved.