Ergonomics Process Management

This exceptional guidebook provides the strategies necessary to curtail ergonomic losses and costs associated with spiraling worker's compensation premiums and medical expenses, of major concern in all businesses. Ergonomic Process Management is meant to be an application and implementation "operator's manual". This one-of-a-kind resource provides professionals and students with step-by-step guidance on the management and behavior modification principles necessary to successfully implement ergonomic science and technology into the real world occupational environment.

The occurrence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) and Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs) is increasing at an alarming rate, dramatically affecting today's workforce. The symptoms of these disorders develop slowly over time. Workers often ignore the discomfort, hoping it will resolve itself. Eventually, productivity decreases due to pain and loss of function, and a previously productive worker suddenly finds that he or she cannot work as a result of the disability. Although this condition is discouraging, it is also preventable. Ergonomics - matching the work environment to the worker's abilities and limitations - offers a promising method to control, manage, and reduce the risk of CTDs and RMIs in the workplace. Your Guide to Developing an Ergonomics Process will assist in the process of reducing workplace injuries and illnesses related to cumulative trauma disorders and poor ergonomics. This valuable guide presents all aspects of a comprehensive ergonomics process, and outlines federal and state OSHA requirements. The program detailed in the text enables full participation at all levels of the organization - regardless of your experience in ergonomics.

This workbook is designed to be used as part of the Developing an Ergonomics Process system. It can be used as a tool, helping the reader to implement strategies effectively, as the process of reducing workplace injuries and illnesses is outlined and effected.

Applied Ergonomics is a concise text focusing on the practical applications of ergonomics and is derived from the annual, ground-breaking, successful conference of the same name. This is not a conference proceedings but a text of applications, filling a niche in the ergonomics professional market for a book that is strong on the applications side o

The purpose of this document is to provide information on implementing a successful ergonomics process that is part of the organizational culture. Section I describes the basic elements of the process and then discusses the importance of employee participation in the implementation process. Section II describes how three mining companies implemented ergonomics processes, including lessons learned. Interventions implemented by the mining companies are presented in Section III, along with information on changes to discomfort levels at one of the companies. Section IV describes various tools used when implementing the processes, while section V focuses on training, including a presentation for management that promotes the value of ergonomics processes.

Easy-to-implement advice for comfortable, productive work environments Safety Managers Guide to Office Ergonomics offers easy-to-follow, non-technical advice that helps you prevent on-the-job injury. You'll learn how to create comfortable, productive working environments as well as resolve employee discomfort before discomfort becomes a debilitating injury. With some fifteen years of experience in office ergonomics, author Craig Chasen has performed more than 4,000 ergonomic evaluations of employees and their work environments, which form the foundation of the book. Safety Managers Guide to Office Ergonomics guides you through the ergonomic evaluation process and then logically organizes employee discomfort by the body part affected. Using his own ergonomic evaluations as case studies, the author enables you to hear how employees express a particular discomfort and visualize the posture and workstation set-up that caused or contributed to the complaint. Each case ends with easy-to-implement solutions to resolve the discomfort. Because ergonomic solutions are specific to an individual's size, work activities, and workstation configuration, the author provides several scenarios for each area of discomfort, helping you tailor your solution to the specific needs of an employee. This book also helps you evaluate and purchase office equipment that enables employees to work as comfortably and productively as possible. Written in straightforward language, Safety Managers Guide to Office Ergonomics is ideal for anyone responsible for creating and managing a healthy work environment. Even if you are not responsible for others, you'll find that this book's helpful advice enables you to avoid on-the-job injury and work as comfortably as possible.

Research has shown that an ergonomics process that identifies risk factors, devises solutions to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and evaluates the effectiveness of the solutions can lower worker exposure to risk factors and MSDs and improve productivity. A review of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) injury/illness database indicated that 46% of illnesses in 2004 were associated with repetitive trauma and 35% of nonfatal lost days involved material handling during 2001– 2004. Even though these statistics show that MSDs significantly contribute to occupational illnesses and injuries in the U.S. mining industry, few mining companies have implemented an ergonomics process. Despite the many unique challenges in the mining environment, three mining companies partnered with the MSD Prevention Team at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Pittsburgh Research Laboratory to demonstrate that an ergonomics process could be systematically implemented and effectively integrated with existing safety and health programs. Because these three mining companies were very different in organization, culture, and size, the ergonomics processes had to be modified to meet the needs of each company. A description of how these three companies applied ergonomics and the tools and training used to implement their processes is given. Prior to discussing the case studies, general information on the elements of an ergonomics process is provided. Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among people and other elements of a system to optimize their well-being and overall system performance [IEA 2008]. This is generally accomplished by applying ergonomic principles to the design and evaluation of manual tasks, jobs, products, environments, and systems, ensuring that they meet the needs, capabilities, and limitations of people. When integrated with safety and health programs, ergonomics can be viewed as a third leg of a three-pronged risk management approach to reduce musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) rates. Safety focuses on hazards that may result in traumatic injuries, industrial hygiene concentrates on hazards that may cause occupational disease, and ergonomics addresses risk factors that may result in MSDs and other conditions, such as vibration-related illnesses. By applying ergonomic principles to the workplace with a systematic process, risk factor exposures are reduced or eliminated. Employees can then work within their abilities and are more efficient at performing and completing tasks. The benefits of applying ergonomic principles are not only reduced MSD rates, but also improved productivity and quality of life for workers. The purpose of this document is to provide information on implementing a successful ergonomics process that is part of the organizational culture.