Proactive ergonomics

Ergonomists endorse the hierarchy of controls, which accords first place to engineering controls, because they believe that control technologies should be selected based on their reUability and efficacy in eliminating or reducing the workplace hazard (risk factors) giving rise to the MSD. Engineering controls are preferred because these controls and their effectiveness are 

In contrast to administrative and work practice controls or personal protective equipment, which occupies the second and third tiers of the hierarchy, respectively, engineering controls fix the problem once and for all. However, because there is such variability in workplace conditions you will need to nse any combination of engineering, work practice, or administrative controls as methods of control for MSD hazards. 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT A PRACTICAL APPROACH 

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Low-back injury is estimated to cost the U.S. industry tens of biUions annually through compensation claims, lost workdays, reduced productivity, and retraining needs (NIOSH 1997 Cats-Baril and Fry-moyer 1991 Frymoyer et al. 1983). Approximately 33% of aU workers compensation costs are for musculoskeletal disorders. Experience has shown that these injuries can be avoided with the proper ergonomic intervention. Biomechanical models available can be used for job analysis either proactively, during the design phase, or reactively in response to injury incidence, to help identify the injurious situations. The most common types of injury-assessment analyses performed using human models include low-back compression force analysis and strength analysis. 

Ergonomics-. If soft tissue or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a safety concern or an ongoing problem, a proactive way to address them is to form a subteam charged with training and educating the workforce in the basic methods to reduce these types of injuries. At work centers or on jobs where these types of injuries have occurred, this subteam may marshal a safety kaizen blitz team to evaluate and reduce the risks of future MSD injuries. 

Employees who report signs and symptoms of CTDs should be interviewed for further information. The purpose of including ergonomics in the safety program is to identify issues before anyone becomes injured, to be proactive in safety. Employees who report signs and symptoms should be encouraged to identify specific job tasks or body parts that are creating the discomfort. More detailed information is needed to identify specific controls that can be implemented. To this end, a symptom survey can be created to identify data to be reviewed. 

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