Ergonomics Programs

1Source staff has helped companies in various business sectors address ergonomic needs from the initial work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) trend analysis and causal linkage to quantitative physical demand evaluation including comparison to population capabilities. Our team of experts has the tools to properly identify and eliminate the workplace stressors that can result in employee illness and inefficiencies. Elimination of such illnesses can result in significant reductions in Workers' Compensation costs and associated liabilities.

Following is a link to a website that includes a program for detailed ergonomic assessments performed by some of our staff. Colin J.Brigham, Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), was a project manager involved in the development of ergonomic risk assessment methodologies that were then applied by teams under his technical direction at 21 Air Force bases. In the completion of the base visits by a field staff of 8 individuals, over 2000 processes and 5000 tasks were analyzed. Risk ranking was performed, quick fixes and control approaches were also provided to these bases. Need more information, or a proposal?  Please click on Information Request, or contact Colin J. Brigham, CIH, CSP, CPE, CPEA, Vice President Safety Management and Ergonomics at 888.873.9983, Ext. 24 or cbrigham@1ssh.com.

Featured Articles:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A Concern in a Variety of Occupational Settings

Have you ever been working at your desk trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you have in your hand and wrist? Then, a sharp, piercing pain suddenly shoots through your wrist and up your arm. This may not be just a passing cramp. More likely, you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 31,000 workers developed this disorder from occupational exposure in 1997, up from 23,000 in 1988.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is typically the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, including repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities.

What can be done to prevent it from developing?

A good prevention program can be compared to the two hands of the body; the right hand represents the overall program, and the left hand represents the engineering aspects. The five facets of the overall program include:

Screening: Medical screening is one way to determine the condition of prospective or current employees. 

Training: An informed workforce is generally a more responsive workforce.  Teaching employees what constitutes safe and unsafe work practices, and the role of other factors will help them to reduce the potential for occurrence of CTS.

Exercise: The importance of both rest and exercise as methods of relieving the restriction should be stressed. There is good information available regarding specific exercises that can be used to help prevent CTS.

Administrative: One example of an administrative approach is to rotate employees, thereby reducing the duration of exposure.  A second is the provision of wrist supports, for use during sleep when medically prescribed.

Engineering Aspects: This last area of the overall program is engineering, which addresses the following five specific facets that must be reduced, or preferably eliminated, in order to prevent harm:

• Frequency
• Force
• Deviation
  
• Duration
  
• Restriction

Two “environmental” factors that also play a role in carpal tunnel syndrome development are temperature and vibration. The presence of temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit increases the potential for CTS development, as does significant vibration. Eliminating these factors results in the reduction of the potential for CTS development. While only a “thumbnail” sketch, the use of these guidelines can help you to “get a good grip” on controlling the occurrence of CTS in your company.

Next Step: If you have questions about CTS and what steps can be taken to prevent and treat CTS, contact Colin J. Brigham, Certified Professional Ergonomist at 888-873-9983, ext. 24, or www.1ssh.com.

– Portions adapted from the National Safety Council’s Trade and Services Newsletter

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Ergonomics: Micro to Macro Success Stories

The OSHA ergonomics standard was rescinded several years ago, yet many companies continue to establish and/or expand ergonomics programs in their workplaces. Why is that? The reason is that effective ergonomics programs save companies money!

Ergonomic risk factors in the workplace continue to plague many employers. In Pennsylvania in 2004, sprains and strains represented 43.1 percent of the claims by nature of injury. The number one cause of accidents or exposure was overexertion, accounting for 31.5 percent of cases. The mismatch between the physical demands in the workplace and the physical capabilities of workers results not only in excessive workers' compensation costs but also in losses from decreased productivity, reduced work quality, increased turnover and diminished worker satisfaction. Also, while there is no specific standard, OSHA does cite under the General Duty Clause, 5(a)(1). 

There are many examples of success stories. The OSHA Web site contains over 40 examples of successful ergonomics programs from a wide variety of employers. In some of these case studies, several different exposures where ergonomic risk was found and reduced are detailed.

For example, L.L.Bean implemented an ergonomics program that included the development of an ergonomics design team. This resulted in a 79 percent reduction in work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) cases during the first year following implementation. The company has sustained this level of success since then.

1Source Safety and Health, Inc. has helped many clients to achieve similar results. The approaches that may be taken range from the very simple, single issue to the more complex and holistic. When addressing single issues, the term microergonomics is often used. When addressing ergonomics more holistically, the term macroergonomics is used. The definition is as follows: Macroergonomics – A top-down sociotechnical systems approach to the design of work systems and the application of the overall work system design to the design of the human-job, human-machine, and human-software interfaces. The macroergonomics design process is often iterative (design, evaluate, refine, re-evaluate, further refine, etc.), nonlinear (does not proceed in a simple sequential manner) and stochastic (requires making inferences or decisions based on incomplete data).

The definition of macroergonomics can be summarized as designing ergonomics into the job/work process. How important is this to some companies? This quote is from one of the more profitable and professional American companies:

“Global ergonomics is core business at GE.” (May 2005)

Whether you would like help addressing single issues or developing a more holistic approach to the management of ergonomic risk, we can help you. For questions or assistance, please contact Colin J. Brigham, CPE (Certified Professional Ergonomist) at 888-873-9983, ext. 24 or cbrigham@1ssh.com.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:  Five Facets to Prevention

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is becoming a major concern in a variety of occupational settings.  The relevance of the crippling hand disorder is increasing:  the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that over 31,000 workers developed this disorder from occupational exposure in 1997, up from 23,000 in 1988.  OSHA handed out two of its largest proposed penalties (for $4.3 million to John Morrell and Company, and for $3.1 million to IBP, Inc.) largely due to the existence of this cumulative trauma disorder at the subject companies. 

Some of the occupations where CTS is more prevalent include the following:  electronic component assembly, meat packing, clothing manufacturing, food handling/distribution.  Five factors (wrist deviation, gripping forces, frequency of gripping, duration of gripping, and carpal tunnel restriction) can influence CTS development.  What can be done to prevent it from developing? 

Overall Program

A good prevention program can be compared to the two hands of the body; the right hand represents the overall program, and the left hand represents the engineering aspects.  The five facets of the overall program follow:

Screening
Medical screening is one way to determine the condition of prospective or current employees.  This screening can be comprised of the following:

• A medical history that seeks to determine existing activities and symptoms
• Physical examination using such tests as Tinel's Test and Phalen's Test
• Nerve conduction testing
• Electromyogram
• X-rays
• Isometric strength testing

This testing allows you to evaluate current medical status.

Training
An informed workforce is generally a more responsive workforce.  Teaching employees what constitutes safe and unsafe work practices, and the role of other factors will help them to reduce the potential for occurrence of CTS.

Exercise
The importance of both rest and exercise as methods of relieving the restriction should be stressed.  There is good information available regarding specific exercises that can be used to help prevent CTS.

Administrative
One example of an administrative approach is to rotate employees, thereby reducing the duration of exposure.  A second is the provision of wrist supports, for use during sleep when medically prescribed.

Engineering Aspects
This last facet of an overall program has five facets of its own.

Engineering Aspects

Frequency
Reducing the frequency with which an activity must be performed, if all other factors are kept constant, will reduce the overall dose.  Reducing dose lessens the potential for injury.  As an example, mechanically performing high volume runs so that only low volume runs need to be manually handled is one such method of reducing frequency.

Force
The stresses on the tendons will relate to the magnitude of the exertion.  If the force can be reduced, the stresses are generally reduced.  One method of doing this is to provide tools with proper diameter handles. 

Deviation
Studies of wrist deviation have shown significant reduction in strength with increasing flexion or extension.  The amount of deviation also correlates directly with a potential for CTS development.  The best posture is to maintain the wrist in the same position as though it were at the worker's side.  Inclining work surfaces and modifying hand tools deviations are two approaches to reduce wrist deviation. 

Duration
Reducing the time an activity will take also often reduces dose and, therefore the potential for CTS development.  Keeping hand travel short is one method of reducing duration.

Restriction
The imposition of external restrictions occurs as a result of contact with materials being handled or work surfaces.  Whenever possible, these restrictions should be eliminated. 

Other Factors

Two "environmental" factors that also play a role in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome development are temperature and vibration.  The presence of temperatures below 70 F increase the potential for CTS development, as does significant vibration.  Eliminating these factors results in the reduction of the potential for CTS development.  While only a "thumbnail" sketch, the use of these guidelines can help you to "get a good grip" on controlling the occurrence of CTS in your company.

Revised from the National Safety Council's Trade and Services Newsletter

Need more information, or a proposal?  Please click on Information Request, or contact Colin J. Brigham, CIH, CSP, CPE, CPEA, Vice President Safety Management and Ergonomics at 888.873.9983, Ext. 24 or cbrigham@1ssh.com.

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Special Education Ergonomics: Caring for the Caregivers

The School Districts Insurance Consortium (SDIC); 1Source Safety and Health, Inc.; and Coastal Training Technologies, Inc., recently worked together to develop a DVD entitled Special Education Ergonomics: Saving Your Back. Providing education to students with physical and/or mental disabilities can be a very demanding job. This DVD was developed to help identify ways to prevent the caregivers providing these services from developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD).

How significant of a problem is it? SDIC is a nonprofit workers’ compensation administration and claims service for public school districts, currently comprising 80 school districts in Pennsylvania. It has 4 intermediate units that are the primary caregivers to these students. At these intermediate units, WMSD account for 29% of the total workers’ compensation claims and 27% of the total workers’ compensation cost. The total workers’ compensation costs for one year were $998,000. The DVD helps to identify methods to reduce the potential for disorder development through proper facility design, purchase and use of mechanical transfer aids, planning of transfers, body mechanics, and other approaches. It can be purchased from Coastal Training Technologies, Inc. (www.coastal.com, 800.725.3418)

Colin J. Brigham, the Certified Professional Ergonomist at 1Source Safety and Health, Inc., who worked in developing this product, made a presentation titled “Special Education Ergonomics: Addressing the Needs within 80 School Districts” at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition in June 2007. This conference had about 9,000 attendees. His presentation was selected as the Ergonomics Committee Best Podium Session.

Mr. Brigham, CIH, CSP, CPE, can be reached at 888.873.9983, ext 24, or at cbrigham@1ssh.com and is available to discuss your specific ergonomic needs.

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