The Science of Ergonomics

The Science of
Ergonomics
Objectives
 Introduce ergonomics & define common
terms
 Review basic anatomy
 Identify common musculoskeletal disorders
 Define scope of the problem

Workplace Safety
Electrical Safety Medical & First Aid
Asbestos Control
Confined Space Fire Prevention
Personal Protective Equipment
Hazard Communication Chemical Safety

Ergonomics Defined
 Early 1700’s, Ramazzini’s study of ill-effects of poor
posture & poorly designed tools on the health of workers
Greek Words “Ergon = work, Nomikos = law”

Ergonomics Study of Work Laws
What Is Ergonomics?
Modern Definition
Science of fitting workplace

conditions and job demands to
the capabilities of the working
population
What Is Ergonomics?
Ergon – work
Nomos – laws of
Ergonomics is the
laws of work that
define the limits to
human capability.
What Is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of
improving employee performance
and well-being in relation to the
» job tasks,
» equipment, and
» the environment.
Ergonomics is…
» a continuous improvement effort
to design the workplace for what
people do well, and design
against what people don’t do
well.
What Is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is fitting the job to the person.
Applying Ergonomics
1. Study, research, & experimentation
– Evaluate human traits/characteristics we
need to know for engineering design
2. Application & engineering

– Design tools, machines, shelter,
environment, work tasks, and job
procedures to fit and accommodate the
human
Ergonomics
Human Machine
Work Environment
Utmost Goal: “Humanization” of Work

Design with “E & E”: Ease and Efficiency
The Basics of Ergonomics
INDUSTRIAL
ATHLETE
SKILL
WILL
COACHING
GREAT EQUIPMENT
Applications of Ergonomics
Anatomy
Orthopedics
Physiology
Medicine
Psychology Anthropometry
Sociology Biomechanics
Work Physiology
Industrial Hygiene
Management
Labor Relations
Industrial Engineering
Bio-Engineering
Systems Engineering
Safety Engineering
Military Engineering
Computer-Aided Design
Occupational Ergonomics
 Optimize worker well-being
 Optimize productivity
 Minimize workplace stress factors
 Minimize medical/workers’ compensation
costs
Increase Company Profitability

Occupational Factors Affecting
The Worker……..
Physical Hazards
Chemical Hazards
Biological Hazards
Physical Hazards
 Heat Stress/Cold Stress

 Noise
 Illumination
 Ventilation
 Vibration
 Radiation
 Falling, Tripping, Slipping
Chemical Hazards
 Liquids
 Solids
 Gases
 Dusts
 Fumes
 Mists
 Fibers
Biological Hazards
 Needle Stick Injuries

 Blood Borne Pathogens
 AIDS
 Anthrax
 Tuberculosis
 Rabies
 Hepatitis
Where Does Ergonomics Fit In?
Physical Hazards

Chemical Hazards 
Biological Hazards 
Ergonomics
Human Machine
Work Environment
Common Ergonomic Terms
 Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)

 Repetitive Motion Disorders
 Work-Related Musculoskeletal
Disorders (WMSDs)
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Bodily injuries or physical ailments that

have developed gradually over periods of
weeks, months, or even years as the
result of repeated stresses on a particular
body part
Source: (Erdil & Dickerson, 1997)

Repetitive Motion Disorders
A variety of muscular conditions that result from
repeated motions performed in the course of
normal work or other daily activities.
RMDs may be caused by:

– overexertion
– incorrect posture
– muscle fatigue
– compression of nerves or tissue
– too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion
– friction caused by an unnatural or awkward motion such as twisting
the arm or wrist
Source: (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke )

Examples of
Repetitive Motion Disorders
 Carpel tunnel syndrome
 DeQuervain’s disease
 Raynaud’s syndrome (white finger)
 Tendinitis
 Tenosynovitis
 Trigger finger
Musculoskeletal Disorders
 An MSD is an injury or illness of
– Muscles
– Nerves
– Tendons A - articular capsule
B - ligament
– Ligaments C - tendon (section view)
D - muscle
– Joints E - tendons
– Cartilage
– Spinal Discs
Anterior View: Muscles & Bones
Posterior View: Muscles & Bones
Musculoskeletal System
“Left Anterior Forearm”
“The Knee”
Work-Related MSDs
Disorders where the work environment &

performance of work contribute
significantly
Made worse or longer lasting by work

conditions
Examples of WMSDs
Lower Body
– Low Back Pain
– Back Strain
– Disc Disorder
– Degenerative Disc Disorders
– Sciatica
– Knee Disorders
– Foot Disorders
Examples of WMSDs
Upper Body
– Tension Neck Syndrome
– Rotator Cuff Syndrome
– Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
– Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
– Tendinitis
– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
– DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
– Trigger Finger
– Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
Common Physical Injuries/Illnesses
A - inflammation of the shoulder tendons
B - tennis elbow
C - inflammation of the wrist tendons
D - lesion of the knee cartilage
E - inflammation or tearing of the Achilles tendon
F - spraining of the thigh muscles
G - backache (due to a lesion of the ligaments or muscles)
Scope of Problem
Why is Ergonomics Important?
 Financial
Human
 Humanistic
 Regulatory
$
 Public relations
 Employee/labor relations
Regulatory Agencies
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
(NIOSH)
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Department of Labor
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Companies
Bureau of Labor & Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding

agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of
labor economics and statistics.
Number of Fatalities
Number of Non-Fatal Injuries & Illnesses
Lost Workday Cases
Injury and Illness Incident Rates
Scope of the problem
Bureau of Labor & Statistics (BLS), 2002
Total cases of non-fatal injuries and

illnesses
4,700,600
1,436,194 Cases Involved Days Away From Work

More about the injuries……
Carpal tunnel syndrome

cases had more median
days away from work
(30) than either fractures
(29) or amputations (26)
Source: BLS 2002

Musculoskeletal Disorders
Total musculoskeletal disorders 487.9 9 (1,000’s)
Occupations Number Median Days AFW

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 44.4 6
Truck drivers 36.8 12
Laborers, nonconstruction 24.9 8
Janitors and cleaners 15.2 7
Assemblers 15.2 14
Construction laborers 11.1 10
Registered nurses 10.8 6
Supervisors and proprietors, sales occupations 9.9 7
Cashiers 9.3 8
Stock handlers and baggers 8.8 5
Sales workers, other commodities 7.8 7
Sprains, strains, and tears accounted for
over 75.8% of the musculoskeletal
disorders that resulted in days away from
work in 2002.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome accounted for

over 4.6% of the musculoskeletal
disorders that resulted in days away from
work in 2002.
A majority of injured or ill

workers were 20 to 44 years old
Workers 20 to 44 had a higher

incidence of injuries or illnesses,
while workers 45 and older had a
lower incidence of injuries or
illnesses than each of their hours
worked shares suggest
Two-thirds of the injured or ill
workers were men, well above
their 59 percent share of the
nation’s hours worked.
Most workers (37.2%) had at

least 1 to 5 years of service
with their employer when they
were injured or became ill.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Texas Mutual Claims for 2002
26,175
For 3 month period, small business policyholders

(premium less than $50,000):
Total Claims: 3,774
Strains 664 (18%)
Sprains 424 (11%)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 17 (0.45%)
Workers’ Compensation Costs
Total Claims: 3,774

Total Dollar Loss: $28,103,240
Total Incurred Cost Average Incurred Cost
Strains $5,044,619 $7,597

Sprains $2,549,584 $6,013
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome $180,232 $10,602
Financial Burden
In year 2001, serious workplace injury & illnesses
cost $45.8 billion
Source: Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, 2003; Published by The Liberty Mutual Research Institute for

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The Science of

 Review basic anatomy

 Identify common musculoskeletal disorders

 Define scope of the problem

Electrical Safety Medical & First Aid

Confined Space Fire Prevention

Personal Protective Equipment

Hazard Communication Chemical Safety

Greek Words “Ergon = work, Nomikos = law”

Science of fitting workplace

2. Application & engineering

Utmost Goal: “Humanization” of Work

Increase Company Profitability

 Heat Stress/Cold Stress

 Needle Stick Injuries

 Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)

Bodily injuries or physical ailments that

Source: (Erdil & Dickerson, 1997)

RMDs may be caused by:

Source: (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke )

Disorders where the work environment &

Made worse or longer lasting by work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding

Bureau of Labor & Statistics (BLS), 2002

Total cases of non-fatal injuries and

1,436,194 Cases Involved Days Away From Work

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Source: BLS 2002

Occupations Number Median Days AFW

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome accounted for

A majority of injured or ill

Workers 20 to 44 had a higher

Most workers (37.2%) had at

For 3 month period, small business policyholders

Total Claims: 3,774

Strains $5,044,619 $7,597

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