Ergonomic Considerations In The Workplace
OSHA vigorously pursues ergonomic hazards, while not prescribing exact, limited abatement methods. Compliance is performance-oriented; show positive results. Conduct regular reviews of potential musculoskeletal disorder indicators. OSHA injury and illness logs are but one source. Employers are called on to dialogue with employees and provide them with information on risk factor, sign and symptoms of the disorder and the reporting of those signs and symptoms.
As needed, employers must evaluate the duration, frequency, and magnitude of employee exposure to those risk factors. Main factors are force (i.e., forceful exertions, including dynamic motions), repetition, awkward postures, static postures, contact stress, vibration and cold temperatures.
The goal is to use controls that eliminate or materially reduce musculoskeletal disorder hazards and ergonomic injuries.
Risk factor checklists, including the type of “red flag” situation, hazard checklist, should be used to aid in the identification of the very specific gross and fine movements that give rise to the ergonomic-related ailments.
The job hazard analysis system also can be valuable in providing a path to ergonomic risk reduction and the curtailment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Always keep in sharp focus the fact that ergonomics problems should be viewed from a human engineering perspective. The training regarding lifting, reaching, and other movements is necessary. The correct and logical approach to lowering risk factors is predicated on the concept of designing and constructing the equipment and workplace around the needs of the employee.
Start with safe conditions. The inherent dangers are there because the process was developed and implemented without ergonomics in mind and without the human operator in mind.
The human-machine relationship should have been considered at the inception of design. That was the time to generate sensible, pragmatic, brainstormed ideas, fully inoculated with sound safety principles.
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