OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS

PROGRAM

POLICY

The personal safety and health of each employee of this district is of primary importance. The prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) caused by ergonomic hazards is this district's goal. To the greatest degree possible, this school district will ensure that all potential ergonomic hazards within our facilities are evaluated and controlled.

GOAL

The goal of this program is to reduce employee exposure to specific workplace hazards that can cause or aggravate work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and low back disorders.

DEFINITIONS

Ergonomics - The science and practice of designing jobs or workplaces to match the capabilities and limitations of the human body. A goal of ergonomics is to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders by adapting the work to fit the person, instead of forcing the person to adapt to the work.

Risk factors - The elements of a job that increase the chance of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The potential of a risk factor to cause injury is affected by the duration of the worker's exposure to it.

Work Activities - The physical demands, exertions, or functions of the job or task.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) - Work-related disorders that involve soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood vessels and nerves. Examples include: Muscle strains and tears, ligament sprains, joint and tendon inflammation, pinched nerves, degeneration of spinal discs, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff syndrome. WMSDs do not include injuries from slips, trips, falls, and motor vehicle accidents or being struck by or caught in objects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The district Safety Officer is the administrator of this program and is responsible for these tasks:

  • Advising administration on ergonomic issues.
  • Working with administration to develop ergonomic guidelines and policies.
  • Coordinate ergonomic evaluations and follow up to insure necessary corrective action is completed.
  • Provide ergonomic awareness education to employees.
  • Maintain any documentation related to the ergonomics program.
  • Provide for and encourage employee participation in the ergonomic process.
  • Review ergonomic activities periodically for effectiveness.

MANAGERS/SUPERVISORS

  • Encourage employees to report ergonomic risks in the workplace.
  • Respond promptly to reports of WMSDs.
  • Ensure the workplace ergonomic practices and procedures are clearly communicated and understood by employees.
  • Work with ergonomics program administrator in identification of ergonomic risk factors within their department.
  • Assist in the selection of control measures to reduce employee exposure to ergonomic risk factors.
  • Solicit job improvement ideas from affected employees.

EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of WMSDs.
  • Know how to report WMSDs and the importance of doing so promptly.
  • Identify WMSDs in their workplace.
  • Participate in measures to control WMSD hazards and evaluate the effectiveness of those controls.
  • Adhere to proper ergonomic practices in the workplace.
  • Participate in ergonomic training programs, as required.

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT

The school district will consult with our employees regarding efforts to develop and implement an effective ergonomics program and will whenever possible involve the employees in the entire process. This is essential because employees constitute the best determination of ergonomic hazards and solutions to ergonomic problems.

HAZARD REPORTING

All district employees should report suspected, potential, or known WMSD hazards to their supervisor or to the district Safety Officer. An employee who feels that they are experiencing symptoms of an ergonomics injury should report the injury to their supervisor.

Once a suspected, potential, known WMSD hazard or an injury has been reported, the employee's supervisor will insure an investigation is conducted to determine what can be done to reduce symptoms or eliminate the hazard.

RISK FACTORS

  1. Awkward Postures of the Shoulder and Arms- working with the hand(s) above the head, or elbow(s) above the shoulder for more than 2 hours per day.
  2. Awkward Postures of the Neck or Back- working with the neck or back bent more than 30 degrees (without support and without the ability to vary posture), more than 2 hours per day.
  3. Squatting- more than 2 hours per day.
  4. Kneeling- more than 2 hours per day.
  5. Pinching- pinching an unsupported object weighing 2 or more pounds per hand, or pinching with a force of 4 or more pounds per hand (comparable to pinching a half a ream of paper), more than 2 hours per day.
  6. Gripping- gripping an unsupported object or objects weighing 10 pounds per hand, or gripping with a force of 10 or more pounds per hand(comparable to clamping automobile jumper cables onto a battery), more than 2 hours per day.
  7. Highly Repetitive Motion- repeating the same motion with the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands (excluding keying) with little or no variation every few seconds, for more than 2 hours per day.
  8. Keying- performing intensive keying more than 4 hours per day.
  9. Repeated Impact- using the hand or knee as a hammer more than 10 times per hour, more than 2 hours per day.
  10. Heavy Lifting- lifting objects weighing more than 75 pounds once per day or more than 55 pounds more than 10 times per day.
  11. Frequent Lifting- lifting objects weighing more than 10 pounds, if done more than twice per minute, more than 2 hours per day.
  12. Awkward Lifting- lifting objects weighing more than 25 pounds above the shoulders, below the knees or at arms length, more than 25 per day.
  13. High Hand-Arm Vibration- Using impact wrenches, carpet strippers, chain saws, percussive tools or other hand tools that typically have high vibration levels more than 30 minutes total per day.
  14. Moderate Hand-Arm Vibration- using grinders, sanders, jigsaws or other hand tools that typically have moderate vibration levels more than 2 hours per day.

WORKSITE ANALYSIS

If an employee's typical work activities include any of the specific physical risk factors identified above an analysis should be conducted. Worksite evaluations may be conducted to identify, evaluate, and control potential ergonomic risk factors.

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL

The following types of controls will be evaluated and considered for possible implementation.

  • Engineering Controls-examples are the redesigning of the workstation or tools.
  • Work Practice Controls-proper work technique including correct lifting techniques.
  • Administrative Controls-used to reduce the duration, frequency and severity of exposure. Examples are job rotation, rest breaks and a stretching program.

Personal protective equipment will be used to supplement engineering, work practice, and administrative controls, but only where other controls are not feasible.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

In the event that an employee develops a work-related musculoskeletal symptom the employee will report the injury to their supervisor. The Educational Service District 112 Workers' Compensation Department, working with the district will facilitate the medical management process. This may include as needed:

  • Access to a health care professional for medical evaluation/treatment.
  • Coordination of any necessary work restrictions, including recovery time off.
  • Post-treatment follow-up.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

The district will provide employees ergonomics awareness education as needed and will include:

  • Information on work-related causes of musculoskeletal disorders including risk factors
  • The types, symptoms and consequences of WMSDs and the importance of early reporting;
  • Information on identifying WMSD hazards and common measures to reduce them; and

RECORD KEEPING

The district or ESD 112 may keep records of the following:

  • Employee reports of WMSD, WMSD signs and symptoms, and WMSD hazards
  • Job hazard analyses performed
  • Hazard control measures implemented
  • Documentation of ergonomic awareness training
  • Work restrictions, time off work, and other workers' compensation issues

PROGRAM REVIEW

The program administrator and members of the district's safety committee will review the district's ergonomic activities for effectiveness and for any needed improvements.

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