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In the last Safety Management article, I discussed OSHA's Ergonomics Rule, which had recently been rescinded by Congress. Since that time, three forums were held to hear the concerns of industry and labor. Opinions, as you can imagine, have been diverse. In addition, a new head of OSHA has been appointed. Some have called this position one of the most powerful in our government because the actions of the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Safety & Health affect so many Americans on a daily basis. Many of us are very pleased to see an experienced safety professional in the job. However, the state of the ergonomics issue is uncertain. We'll all have to wait and see what happens.
Whether we have a standard or not, the following information should be useful in evaluating your company's ergonomics program. It was prepared by the Forest Products' Ergonomics Task Force, which is comprised of ergonomics specialists within the paper industry.
An Ergonomics Approach for the 21st Century
Chances are you have already done something to improve ergonomics.
Maybe someone in the office was provided a new chair, someone in the plant provided an anti-fatigue mat, or a hoist was installed to assist with a manual materials handling task. Maybe there have been reductions in work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and associated workers' compensation costs. Maybe the problem, if there ever was one, is under control.
Why at this point would you think about doing anything differently?
HISTORY REPEATS. Ergonomics deals with optimizing interactions between people and their total working environment. When interactions are poorly designed, the resulting exposures can place employees at risk for developing WMSDs. The relationship between unnatural posture, extreme motions, and occupational illness was first seen in the 18th century. In the 19th century, use of steel-nib pens led to an epidemic of what was termed "writer's cramp" by British government clerks.
History repeated itself at the end of the 20th century, but this time in a much grander fashion. Since the late 1980's, awareness and reporting of WMSDs has grown significantly. Rather than a single malady affecting just one occupation, WMSDs have been diagnosed in many parts of the body and associated with nearly all occupations. In response, ergonomics has become an area of em-phasis for OSHA and, in turn, for many companies.
Ergonomics programs implemented to address this latest epidemic commonly used employee complaints or injury as a trigger for activity. Many companies have found such an approach to be very effective in controlling the severity and frequency of WMSDs, and also in reducing the associated costs. However, by the time these programs are activated, the contributing conditions have already been created. This is a perfect example of using a 'trailing indicator' to manage safety (see Pulp & Paper's January 2001 Safety Management column).
APPROACH FOR A NEW CENTURY. Our vision of ergonomics in the 21st century is one in which symptoms and concerns are still addressed using a conventional approach, but where the primary trigger becomes any change that will affect the way employees interact with their working environment. Companies will focus on the 'leading indicator' of human-workplace interaction. The whole organization is engaged and proactively addresses ergonomics factors within their control.
The following are all part of an effective ergonomics approach:
• Ergonomics is a critical factor for workstation designs.
• New workstations are designed to be flexible.
• Assistive equipment and/or automation are used to minimize heavy forces and high repetitions.
• Routine maintenance items are easily accessed.
• Hand tools have proper handle design and orientation for the intended task, and are well balanced.
• Powered hand tools have low reaction forces and vibration.
• Preventive maintenance is used to keep tools operating efficiently.
• Lighting is appropriate for the nature of work being done.
• Working surfaces such as floors, work platforms, and seats are well isolated from sources of vibration.
• The thermal environment is appropriate for the nature of work being done.
Lastly, activities exist that improve employees' capability to work without adverse impact. Work conditioning is used with new/relocated employees to develop task-specific strength and endurance. Employees use stretching exercises throughout the shift. Wellness activities are used for promoting healthy lifestyles. A behavioral approach is used to build safe working methods.
In the best scenario, mock-ups or simulations are used to ergonomically evaluate manual jobs/tasks prior to purchase/installation.
The opportunity exists in the 21st century to treat ergonomics as an integrated business tool rather than a reactive safety strategy.
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