Safety Through Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the practice of designing a workplace to fit the person, not the other way around. It's a proactive approach that helps prevent injuries, reduce muscle fatigue, and boost productivity. The key is to identify and address risk factors that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are injuries affecting the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. These risk factors include repetitive motions, lifting heavy items, bending, pushing or pulling heavy loads, and working in awkward postures.

Consider a common scenario: a truck arrives with a heavy load that needs to be moved into a storage room. This repetitive task, done two or three times a week, is ripe for injury. One way to complete the task is for each person to individually carry a load back and forth. Another is to form a "daisy chain," passing objects from one person to the next. While both methods get the job done, they both involve repetitive motions that can be harmful. The first method involves constant bending, while the second involves twisting from side to side to receive and pass on items.

The solution lies in applying ergonomic principles. For the individual lifter, proper training on how to use their legs instead of their back is essential. For the daisy chain, a simple adjustment can make a huge difference. Instead of having everyone face the same direction and twist their bodies almost 180 degrees, they can face alternating directions. This cuts the twist down to just 45 to 90 degrees, significantly reducing strain. Furthermore, using the right tools, like a chair dolly to move stacks of chairs with little effort, can prevent injuries.

Ergonomics isn't just for manual labor; it's vital for office workers too. A person’s computer screen should be at eye level to help maintain good posture, and the keyboard should be positioned so that elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle. The chair should be fully adjustable, allowing a person's feet to rest flat on the floor and their knees to bend at 90 degrees. A good office chair should also have a sturdy backrest with lumbar support and a neck rest to help the user sit upright.

To create a safer work environment, it's wise to perform a safety assessment that includes a review of ergonomics. This means more than just checking that equipment is serviceable. It involves evaluating procedures, like how a team unloads and restocks items, and assessing the furniture. An ergonomic assessment can be quick, often taking as little as 30 minutes. The costs of replacing furniture or equipment with ergonomic options can be budgeted as items approach the end of their lifespan, making it an achievable goal for any workplace.

Reference:

    OSHA Ergonomics Ergonomics - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

    OSHA Ergonomics Checklist Ergonomic-Assessment-Checklist