MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD
ERGONOMICS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Ergonomics - Making the job fit the person. Ergonomics is the science of workplace design that tries to make the job fit the person rather than the person fitting the job.
The idea behind ergonomics is to reduce physical strain by designing or modifying the work station, work methods, and tools in an attempt to eliminate excessive stress and strain, reduce awkward postures and to decrease the number of repetitive motions needed to get the job done.
Ergonomic disorders are the most rapidly growing category of work related illness and have become an OSHA issue of inspection. The disorders associated with repeated trauma (Repetitive Stress Injury and Static Strain Injury - injury caused by awkward static postures) have tripled since 1984. And statistics from the Bureau of Labor show the incidences of these injuries have risen from 18% in 1982 to 55% in 1992. Work-related musculolskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are now #1 cause of workplace absenteeism.
Purpose
Minnesota State University Moorhead is presenting this updated Plan of Action and program to promote safe working conditions for all faculty, staff and students. This Plan of Action applies to all MSUM employees.
Reducing the numbers and severity of WMSDs caused by exposure to risk factors in the workplace can be accomplished by implementing ergonomics practices that will minimize risk known to occur. The program does not address injuries caused by other similar accidents.
Management shall be committed to supporting this Plan of Action and will advise their staff to adhere to procedure of the MSUM Ergonomics Management Program in a persistent and systematic way.
At the departmental level, management shall be responsible for implementing a written Ergonomics Program that will meet the needs of their individual departments. It is the purpose of this Plan of Action to proactively address these issues and to continually provide improved ergonomics standards within MSUM in accordance with Federal or State mandates.
Scope
As stated, the scope of this Plan of Action encompasses those employees and students who work with or supervise others. The adoption of this Plan of Action and implementation of these guidelines will optimize employee health and safety, maximize comfort at work, and enhance productivity and morale in the workplace.
To achieve these goals, our mission must include the education of employees, students and mangers in the following areas:
• Musculolskeletal conditions caused by awkward posture, poor body alignment and repetitions.
• Eye strain/headaches brought on by extended VDT (Video Display Terminal) use.
• Stress related health concerns and perceptions occurring in worksites, including area of high-density VDT use.
Improvement of general working conditions will reasonably accommodate employees with an average but ergonomically correct workplace.
In attempts to minimize/eliminate exposing the employees to risk of injury or discomfort, the employer can provide:
• Modified worksite equipment as needed to decrease awkward posture and poor body alignment. (Examples of areas include but are not limited to: offices, labs, health care, trades, material handling, and housekeeping.)
• Means to reduce stress related health concerns and perceptions. (Examples include but are not limited to providing noise reduction, comfortable room temperatures and comfortable lighting.)
As required by The American with Disabilities Act (ADA), assisting equipment shall be made available to affected employees who work at MSUM.
Management Leadership and Employee Participation
Environmental Health & Safety
• Promotes the Ergonomics Program
• Serves as a resource to departments requiring assistance in evaluating ergonomics issues.
• Serves as a resource for managers to implement their Ergonomics Programs; and serves as a liaison to resolve ergonomics issues.
• Revises the Ergonomics Plan of Action as necessary to meet future needs and regulatory changes.
Management
• Shall develop and implement their own programs. Managers may call upon Environmental Health & Safety for assistance to help identify issues, provide training, and resources.
• Managers must encourage employees to implement and use proper working techniques and equipment.
• Managers must encourage employees to report signs and symptoms for proper medical treatment.
• Managers should encourage stress reduction. Examples include:
• In office areas: non-computer related work tasks; desk-side exercises,
• In non-office areas: job rotation
• In all areas: stress management classes and a regular exercise routine to improve cardiovascular health and tone muscle groups to avoid exposing victims to WMSDs.
• Managers must provide reasonable equipment meeting user needs.
• Managers must provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees as required by ADA.
Employees
• Participate in ergonomics training provided by their department managers.
• Notify management of their reasonable needs to improve their working environment.
• Be responsible for correct use of the equipment provided by the employer.
• Promote a “safety culture” by using proper working techniques.
• Cooperate with management to identify symptoms of ergonomic concern and report these for correctional action.
Identification
The earlier you can identify a repetitive motion problem, the more likely you are to be able to do something about it. Pay attention to warning signs such as pain and soreness. Be alert to the symptoms of numbness, tingling and apparent loss of strength of muscles.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD’s)/ Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMI’s) - are defined as those disorders that are caused, or aggravated by repeated exertion or movements of the body. They can occur in any part of the body but appear most frequently in the muscles and tendons of the upper limbs. The results are fatigue and inflammation. This can sometimes be misdiagnosed as they can be caused by elbow and neck problems. Other health problems that can be avoided are eyestrain and discomfort.
CTD’s/RMI’s are becoming commonplace in the work world and are caused by repetitive movements over a period of time, vibration from machinery and improper arm or body support. Even standing still for long periods or moving in awkward ways can be damaging.
When any of these symptoms appear, it is time to evaluate the job and look for ways to limit repetitive motions. If the problem persists or reoccurs, medical attention may be needed.
Definitions
Fatigue or tiredness in muscles or joints is your body’s way of telling you to change your pattern of working. Doing the same motion over and over or using certain types of positions or grips can cause pain and inflammation. Some of the most common inflammations are:
Tendinitis - inflammation of the tendons. Can be caused by performing repeated motions incorrectly or in an awkward position.
Tenosynovitis - a condition in which both the tendon and its covering become inflamed. Can be caused by improper or repetitive bending of the wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - painful squeezing of the median nerve in the wrist. Causes loss of grip, muscle pain, weakness, and numbness in the thumb and first two fingers.
Identifying Hazards
The following points must be considered when analyzing a job for ergonomic problems:
• Weight of the objects being handled.
• Repetitions of certain movements or tasks
• Rate of job performance
• Appropriateness of tools/equipment
• Body position and mechanics
• Force of grip or amount of exertion
Employees are instructed to report ergonomically related symptoms to their supervisors immediately. These would include the following:
• Numbness, tingling or burning in the fingers
• Pain in the wrists, neck, shoulders, back, legs, or feet
• Loss of grip or muscle weakness
• Fatigue or abnormal tiredness
Prevention
The best form of prevention is to limit repetitive motion or doing the same motion over and over, whether it’s packing, using a keyboard, using a hand or power tool, etc. To reduce the risk of injury, avoid or minimize the following physically straining activities:
• Repetitive twisting movements, usually in combination with poor body position.
• Exposure to cold, combined with repetitive motions.
• Excessive standing with no chance to lean, sit or reposition your body.
• Holding arms with no support.
• Hand operation of vibrating machinery or impact tools.
• Repetitive physical force using shoulders, arms, legs, and back.
• Repetitive motions using a bent wrist.
It is everyone’s responsibility to help identify poor ergonomic practices in the workplace. Managers, supervisors, employees, engineers, and health professions shall work as a team to correct existing ergonomic problems.
Control
Appropriate steps must be identified to correct, control, or eliminate the ergonomic hazard. Those at MSUM are as follows:
Engineering Controls - the preferred method of control to eliminate an ergonomic hazard.
• Work Station Design: Workstations shall be made easily adjustable; either designed or selected to fit the task, so they are comfortable for the employee.
• Work Method Design: Work methods shall be designed to reduce static, extreme or awkward postures, repetitive motion and excessive force.
• Tool and Handle Design: A variety of sizes will be available to achieve proper fit and reduce ergonomic risk. The appropriate tool shall be used to do a specific job.
Work practices - includes several elements that will require education and hands on training.
• Proper work techniques: Includes training on the correct lifting procedures and correct use of ergonomically designed work stations, fixtures, and tools.
• Employee conditioning: Includes a gradual “break-in” training period or a gradual increase in duties and job requirements until the maximum workload, specific to the job, is attained. This would include employees reassigned to new jobs.
• Inspections: Shall be conducted periodically to ensure safe operating procedures are being followed.
• Feedback: Will provide a method for employees to notify management about conditions with potential ergonomic hazards.
Administrative Controls - assist in reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of exposures to ergonomic hazards. Options to consider:
• Pacing - reducing the total number of repetitions per hour.
• Breaks - providing short rest periods to relieve fatigue.
• Job rotation - periodically rotating to a different task involving different movements.
Training
Training will be made available to all employees at no cost and provided yearly to employees in hazard identified areas. New employees in hazard identified areas will receive training prior to job assignment.
Training shall be provided upon request and will include, but is not limited to:
• Lectures and workshops about proper body alignment, equipment, ambient lighting, etc.
• Individual worksite evaluations/observations (specific fit to specific use).
• Live presentations and training videos
• Use of ergonomic literature.
• Documentation of training, including nature of training, employees’ names and signatures, and dates of training.
Record Keeping
Record keeping will include:
• Employee reports of WMSDs, WMSD signs and symptoms, and WMSD hazards
• A response to such reports
• Job hazard analysis
• Hazard control measures
• Quick fix process (if appropriate)
• Ergonomics program evaluations, and
• Work restrictions, time off of work and Health Care Professionals (HCP) opinions that will be maintained in Human Resources’ records.
All records will be kept for 3 years or until replaced by updated records.
Medical Management
Whenever an employee has a WMSD, MSUM will make available prompt and effective medical management that will include, but is not limited to:
• Provide employee with availability to access a HCP for effective evaluation, treatment and follow-up.
• MSUM/employee will provide information to HCPs to help endure medical management is effective.
• Employee must obtain a written opinion from the HCP and ensure that the employer is also promptly provided with it.
• MSUM will provide opportunity for employee to work while following restrictions recommended by he HCP. It is the responsibility of the employee to follow these restrictions.
• MSUM will ensure the HCP periodically follows-up on the employee during the recovery period until maximum medical improvement is reached.
Prevention
The best form of prevention is to limit repetitive motion or doing the same motion over and over, whether it’s packing, using a keyboard, using a hand or power tool, etc. To reduce the risk of injury, avoid or minimize the following physically straining activities:
• Repetitive twisting movements, usually in combination with poor body position.
• Exposure to cold, combined with repetitive motions.
• Excessive standing with no chance to lean, sit or reposition your body.
• Holding arms with no support.
• Hand operation of vibrating machinery or impact tools.
• Repetitive physical force using shoulders, arms, legs, and back.
• Repetitive motions using a bent wrist.
It is everyone’s responsibility to help identify poor ergonomic practices in the workplace. Managers, supervisors, employees, engineers, and health professions shall work as a team to correct existing ergonomic problems.
Control
Appropriate steps must be identified to correct, control, or eliminate the ergonomic hazard. Those at MSUM are as follows:
Engineering Controls - the preferred method of control to eliminate an ergonomic hazard.
• Work Station Design: Workstations shall be made easily adjustable; either designed or selected to fit the task, so they are comfortable for the employee.
• Work Method Design: Work methods shall be designed to reduce static, extreme or awkward postures, repetitive motion and excessive force.
• Tool and Handle Design: A variety of sizes will be available to achieve proper fit and reduce ergonomic risk. The appropriate tool shall be used to do a specific job.
Work practices - includes several elements that will require education and hands on training.
• Proper work techniques: Includes training on the correct lifting procedures and correct use of ergonomically designed work stations, fixtures, and tools.
• Employee conditioning: Includes a gradual “break-in” training period or a gradual increase in duties and job requirements until the maximum workload, specific to the job, is attained. This would include employees reassigned to new jobs.
• Inspections: Shall be conducted periodically to ensure safe operating procedures are being followed.
• Feedback: Will provide a method for employees to notify management about conditions with potential ergonomic hazards.
Administrative Controls - assist in reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of exposures to ergonomic hazards. Options to consider:
• Pacing - reducing the total number of repetitions per hour.
• Breaks - providing short rest periods to relieve fatigue.
• Job rotation - periodically rotating to a different task involving different movements.
Training
Training will be made available to all employees at no cost and provided yearly to employees in hazard identified areas. New employees in hazard identified areas will receive training prior to job assignment.
Training shall be provided upon request and will include, but is not limited to:
• Lectures and workshops about proper body alignment, equipment, ambient lighting, etc.
• Individual worksite evaluations/observations (specific fit to specific use).
• Live presentations and training videos
• Use of ergonomic literature.
• Documentation of training, including nature of training, employees’ names and signatures, and dates of training.
Record Keeping
Record keeping will include:
• Employee reports of WMSDs, WMSD signs and symptoms, and WMSD hazards
• A response to such reports
• Job hazard analysis
• Hazard control measures
• Quick fix process (if appropriate)
• Ergonomics program evaluations, and
• Work restrictions, time off of work and Health Care Professionals (HCP) opinions that will be maintained in Human Resources’ records.
All records will be kept for 3 years or until replaced by updated records.
Medical Management
Whenever an employee has a WMSD, MSUM will make available prompt and effective medical management that will include, but is not limited to:
• Provide employee with availability to access a HCP for effective evaluation, treatment and follow-up.
• MSUM/employee will provide information to HCPs to help endure medical management is effective.
• Employee must obtain a written opinion from the HCP and ensure that the employer is also promptly provided with it.
• MSUM will provide opportunity for employee to work while following restrictions recommended by he HCP. It is the responsibility of the employee to follow these restrictions.
• MSUM will ensure the HCP periodically follows-up on the employee during the recovery period until maximum medical improvement is reached.