Ergonomics and Workplace Safety

Ergonomics is an applied science that encompasses the design and arrangement of the products, tools, or methods people use in their environment that fit job requirements and personal capabilities while allowing for efficiency and safety.

Ergonomics safety principles have a rich history dating back to the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman Empires. Research has shown that manmade devices like wheels and pulleys were built to help minimize workload. Over time, ergonomics have become more advanced. For example, during the Industrial Revolution, people began developing factory machinery and started paying attention to design and human-machine interaction.

Why are ergonomics important in workplace safety?

Ergonomic disorders are the fastest-growing category of work-related illness. Yearly, they account for 56-63% of illnesses reported to OSHA. Approximately two million work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) occur per year in the United States.

Ergonomic work-related injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries, muscle strains, and low back injuries. These are caused by risk factors like high task repetition, forceful exertions, repetitive awkward postures, and whole-body vibration exposure. 

Implementing ergonomics as part of your workplace safety program is not just about compliance. It’s about caring for your employees and ensuring their comfort and safety. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on your organization’s overall efficiency, making it a win for everyone.

Benefits of ergonomic safety in the workplace

• By reducing ergonomic risk factors, you can prevent costly MSDs and nerve disorders, which are the leading cause of workers’ compensation costs to employers and lost time.
• Workers who experience discomfort on the job may find shortcuts or workarounds that could result in incidents and injuries such as slips, falls, or lacerations. Implementing an ergonomics program and encouraging workers to report ergonomic issues early helps prevent MSDs and nerve disorders, as well as other common workplace injuries.
• Healthy employees are an organization’s most valuable asset. Creating and nurturing a good safety and health culture at your company will result in improved productivity for your organization. Effective ergonomic safety programs can encourage good posture, which leads to less exertion and fewer unnatural motions, enabling employees to work more comfortably and efficiently in their workstations.
• Employees take notice when an organization prioritizes their health and safety. Companies that hold safety and health as a core value often see a decrease in turnover or callouts, better employee morale and engagement, and enhanced regulatory compliance.

Common ergonomics hazards

Repetitive Motion: Performing the same movements over extended periods causes muscle strain and fatigue. For example, typing on a keyboard can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, neck strains, and other MSDs. Other tasks that might cause chronic conditions for staff include assembly line work and scanning items at a cash register.

Awkward Posture: Working in unnatural positions or holding the same position for long periods of time can result in chronic discomfort and long-term health issues. Improper lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or reaching; slouching or poor posture, such as that of a dentist; or standing in one place for long periods of time all tend to cause problems.

Excessive Force or Strain: Tasks that require a significant amount of physical effort increase the risk of more acute injuries. This includes carrying heavy machinery, lifting or moving patients in healthcare settings, or maintaining a tight grip on tools.

Vibration:  Exposure to oscillating or up and down repetitive movements affects blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. Repetitive traveling on a bus or train or use of heavy industrial machinery can cause whole-body vibrations, which may lead to severe health problems including muscle numbness, loss of strength, visual disturbances, and total disability. Other causes of excessive vibration include using jackhammers, grinders, or chainsaws and operating shaky vehicles like forklifts and dump trucks.

Poorly designed workstations/offices: Workspaces that are not engineered to consider the human body may force employees to work uncomfortably. Non-adjustable office chairs or tables, inadequate desk space or too large a space, and poor grip design on hand tools like a computer mouse are all indicators that not enough consideration has been given to ergonomics in a workspace.

Ergonomics is an important assessment tool that helps prevent costly and painful MSDs and assists with improving human performance in the workplace.

For more information about ergonomics or to schedule an assessment with our ergonomics expert, contact Walden’s EHS team today at 516-789-2972.

References

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/fy15_sh-27643-sh5_ErgonomicsWorkbook.pdf

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA4382.pdf

https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/ergo/ergoadvantages.pdf