UNIT II STUDY GUIDE Elements of an Ergonomics Program Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 1. Evaluate the regulatory environment with respect to workplace ergonomics in America. 1.1 Explain the necessary elements of a successful ergonomic program. 1.2 Discuss the history of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Ergonomic Standard. 1.3 Discuss the benefits of implementing an ergonomics program. 1.4 Explain OSHA’s enforcement policy for ergonomic hazards. Course/Unit Learning Outcomes 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Learning Activity Unit Lesson Chapter 1, pp. 24–29 Web Page: “Ergonomics: Standards and Enforcement FAQs” Unit II Assignment Unit Lesson Chapter 1, pp. 24–29 Unit II Assignment Unit Lesson Chapter 1, pp. 24–29 Unit II Assignment Unit Lesson Chapter 1, pp. 24–29 Web Page: “Ergonomics: Standards and Enforcement FAQs” Unit II Assignment Reading Assignment Chapter 1: Human Factors and Ergonomics from the Earliest Times to the Present, pp. 24–29 In order to access the following resource, click on the link below. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Ergonomics: Standards and enforcement FAQs. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/faqs.html Unit Lesson Meet Myah Handz-Hurt Myah Handz-Hurt of Corpal Tunel, Louisiana, works as an administrative assistant for a local call center. In her current role, Myah spends most of her time at her desk and uses her computer to perform 85% of her job responsibilities. Her normal work shift is eight hours, but she may sometimes be required to work overtime to complete special projects. After performing her job for a few weeks, Myah begins experiencing pains in her hands and wrists. Because she is a relatively new employee and still within her probationary period, Myah does not say anything about the symptoms she is experiencing. A few weeks later, Myah’s symptoms begin to worsen, and she discusses the issue with her supervisor who informs her that she needs to “toughen up, and do her job.” MOS 6701, Advanced Ergonomics 1 Nine months later, Myah’s pain is so intense she can hardly use her hands at all. After several unsuccessful attempts to get her employer to have her evaluated by a physician, Myah decides to take matters into her own hands. Upon evaluation by her personal physician, Myah was referred to a specialist where she was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and informed she needs surgery. Following Myah’s visit to the doctor, she begins to do some research on carpal tunnel syndrome and learns it is considered an ergonomic injury. In addition, she remembers her doctor told her it is likely a work-related injury given the type of work she performs. With this in mind, Myah decides to write her local Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) office to find out what standards exist to protect employees from ergonomic injuries. A few days later, she receives a response, but it is not quite what she anticipated. UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain (To-im, n.d.) The Defeat of the OSHA Ergonomics Standard Like Myah Handz-Hurt, millions of American workers depend on OSHA to protect them and correct employers when they expose employees to risk of injury. Many standards have been promulgated, which can be enforced by OSHA to bring employers into compliance when their workplaces are not safe and/or free from recognized hazards. Unfortunately, in the case of Myah Handz-Hurt, there is no legally enforceable ergonomic standard to protect workers from ergonomic injuries, but that was not always the case. Throughout the 1990s, OSHA worked on developing a comprehensive ergonomics standard to address work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). In November 2000, the agency issued a completed Ergonomics Program, which became effective on January 16, 2001 (Fuge, 2002). However, with a change in presidency, the standard was short lived. In 2002, President George W. Bush signed a joint resolution of Congress, which eliminated the ergonomics standard. In addition, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) was invoked by Congress. This Act prohibits federal agencies from issuing any regulations that bear significant similarities to a rule that has been struck down. As a result, the standard is no longer in effect, and in essence, OSHA has been perpetually blocked from issuing standards related to ergonomics. OSHA business team (One Photo, 2016) How Does OSHA Address Ergonomic Injuries? Despite the repeal of the OSHA Ergonomics Standard, OSHA can still issue fines for ergonomic violations and has done so several times since 2001. While OSHA does not have a specific standard to address ergonomics, employee exposure to ergonomic hazards may be addressed under Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. Commonly referred to as the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act (1970) requires employers to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees…” (para. 1). Therefore, any employer within federal OSHA jurisdiction has the potential of being cited when exposing employees to ergonomic hazards. In addition, states such as California, which have oversight of their safety and health programs, require employers to have an established ergonomics program in place even though there is no such requirement under Federal OSHA. MOS 6701, Advanced Ergonomics 2 Proactive Versus Reactive Ergonomics UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title As with Ms. Handz-Hurt’s case, employers often wait until employees are injured or begin to develop symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) before addressing ergonomics. However, ergonomics should not be an afterthought! An ergonomics program is most effective when implemented before issues arise. MSDs typically progress over time; therefore, it is critical to address ergonomics sooner rather than later to prevent new injuries from occurring or further aggravate existing injuries. Combating ergonomic injuries should be a priority for organizations, as it demonstrates dedication to employees and concern for their well-being. Reactive ergonomics means waiting for an injury to occur then trying to address the problem after the fact. When an organization takes a reactive approach to ergonomics, the impact will be marginal at best. Conversely, proactive ergonomics is implemented before a specific injury occurs and is part of a continuous improvement process. When organizations focus on proactive ergonomics, the results are substantial in both reduction in the number of workplace injuries and the related costs associated with the injuries. Benefits of Implementing an Ergonomics Program Injuries resulting from musculoskeletal disorders, such as muscle strains, sprains, and repetitive motion disorders, are relatively easy to mitigate or prevent if the symptoms are recognized and addressed early. Even though they are a prevalent workplace hazard, ergonomic injuries can be avoided by establishing an effective ergonomics program and promoting awareness of ergonomic risk factors. Since OSHA has no specific standard mandating an ergonomics program, you may be wondering if it is really worth the cost and effort required to implement a program. The answer is a resounding yes! Not only is ergonomics good for employees, it is great for business. In addition to protecting employees from injury, an ergonomics program can be fiscally significant for an organization. As a safety and health professional, you need to be able to demonstrate the value of ergonomics and the difference it can make for everyone within your organization in order to get buy-in for the implementation of an ergonomics program. Benefits of a strong workplace ergonomics program include the following. MOS 6701, Advanced Ergonomics 3 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Benefits of a strong workplace ergonomics program Elements of an Ergonomics Program Following the repeal of the Ergonomic Program Standard, OSHA began researching an alternate approach to addressing WMSDs and announced a Comprehensive Plan on Ergonomics on April 5, 2002 (Fuge, 2002). The proposed plan consists of four parts: guidelines, enforcement, outreach and assistance, and research. OSHA has developed industry specific voluntary guidelines based on best practices to address ergonomic hazards in industries such as nursing homes, foundries, shipyards, poultry processing, and retail grocery stores. OSHA has also provided guidance on what ergonomics programs should include:    Management support: Management support is critical to ensure the overall success of an ergonomic program. Management commitment can be demonstrated by setting clear goals and objectives for the program, appointing leaders to help implement ergonomic solutions, and devoting adequate resources (finances and personnel) to the program. Employees will only take the program as seriously as management does. Employee participation: Employee involvement and participation is the essence of a successful ergonomic process. Employee participation should include direct involvement in worksite assessments by providing information about hazards in the workplace, assisting in the development and implementation of ergonomic solutions by providing suggestions for reducing exposure to risk factors, and supporting the continuous improvement efforts by evaluating the ergonomic changes and providing feedback to management. Hazard Information and Training: Training is another critical element in an ergonomics program. Employees must be made aware of the benefits of implementing an ergonomics program and their role in ensuring the success of the program (OSHA, n.d.-b). They must be trained to identify tasks and activities that increase the risk of developing an ergonomic injury, the signs and symptoms of ergonomic injuries, and the importance of reporting symptoms of MSDs early (OSHA, n.d.-b). Click here to access OSHA’s Training and Assistance Web page. MOS 6701, Advanced Ergonomics 4     GUIDE program Hazard Identification: An assessment of the workplace is an importantUNIT step xinSTUDY the ergonomic to identify ergonomic risk factors and high risk job tasks. Workplace assessments should include Title interviews with employees and a review of the illness and injury logs to identify injury trends or signs of MSDs (OSHA, n.d.-a). Click here to access OSHA’s Identify Problems Web page. Implement solutions to control hazards: Once risk factors have been identified, actions should be taken to reduce, control, or eliminate ergonomic hazards. Medical management: An effective ergonomics program should also incorporate healthcare management policies and procedures focused on the prevention of impairment and disability through early detection, prompt treatment, and timely recovery. Program evaluation: The effectiveness of the ergonomic program should be assessed periodically. Established procedures and corrective actions should be evaluated to determine the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions and to ensure continuous improvement of the program. Conclusion Employers are ultimately responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. Although WMSDs are prevalent in many workplaces, the number, severity, and associated costs can be considerably reduced by integrating ergonomics into the work process. A proactive ergonomics approach identifies and eliminates and/or minimizes risk factors that lead to musculoskeletal injuries and allows for improved human performance and productivity. A successful ergonomics program is not only proactive but is also an on-going process that is considered part of an organization’s continuous improvement efforts rather than an individual project. Well-designed ergonomics programs are beneficial to both employers and employees and can have a dramatic impact on the overall success of an organization. In today’s competitive business environment, implementing an ergonomic improvement process is essential for an organization to make the best product in the most efficient manner. References Fuge, C. (2002). The ergonomics regulation roller coaster. Retrieved from https://www.irmi.com/articles/expert-commentary/the-ergonomics-regulation-roller-coaster Occupational Safety and Health Act. 29 U.S.C. § 654 (1970). Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.-a). Identify problems. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/identifyprobs.html Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.-b). Training and assistance. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/training.html One Photo. (2016). ID 94721617 [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photooccupational-safety-health-administration-osha-business-team-work-image94721617 To-im, P. (n.d.). ID 49612735 [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-carpaltunnel-syndrome-wrist-pain-working-computer-image49612735 Suggested Reading In order to access the following resources, click on the links below. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) collects brief stories from employers who have successfully implemented ergonomics programs. You are not required to read the stories, but they will enhance your knowledge of the benefits of implementing an ergonomics program. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Success stories. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/success_stories.html MOS 6701, Advanced Ergonomics 5 The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed guidelines assist UNIT x STUDYtoGUIDE employers with the development of an ergonomics program. The NIOSH guidelines Title are included as a resource to assist you when completing the unit assignment. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. (1997). Elements of ergonomics programs: A primer based on workplace evaluations of musculoskeletal disorders (DHHS [NIOSH] Publication No. 97117). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/pdfs/97117.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB97117 MOS 6701, Advanced Ergonomics 6
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