2002 Joint National Conference2002 Joint National ConferenceJoseph A. Holmes Safety AssociationJoseph A. Holmes Safety AssociationAnd Mine Safety Institute of AmericaAnd Mine Safety Institute of America

June 4-6, 2002June 4-6, 2002

Health and Safety Risk FactorsHealth and Safety Risk Factors

NIOSH - PRL

Fred Turin, Ergonomist

Defining Risk Factor

Common Examples:• Lifting very heavy object• Slippery floor or work surface• Highly repetitive bending or twisting

An action or condition found to contribute to worker discomfort or injury

Ergonomics - What is it?

Most people look like this...

Some designers must think that people look like this...

Ergonomics is…

• Scientific study of human work.

• Considers physical and mental capabilities of workers as they interact with tools, equipment, work methods, tasks, and working environment.

• Goal – to reduce work related injuries by adapting work to fit people instead of forcing people to adapt to work

Ergonomics is …Ergonomics is …

not only the design of jobs, not only the design of jobs, tools and equipment, tools and equipment,

butbut ..how people use ..how people use themthem

Targeting Injuries

Injury

Reactive

Targeting Risk Factors

Injury

Risk Factors

Proactiv

e

Reactive

Work-Related Injuries

• Acute injuries – – Occur instantly– Examples: fractures, cuts, bruises

• Cumulative injuries –– Develop gradually– Examples: sprains/ strains, herniated discs,

tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome

Targeting SignsInjury

Signsdecreased grip strength

loss of muscle function

decreased range of motion deformity

swelling

Targeting SymptomsInjury

Signs

Symptoms

pain

muscle tightness fatigue

achiness

burning

numbness

tingling

cramping

Cumulative Injury Progression

Loss of Function

Continuous Pain

Pain Comes and Goes

Fatigue/ Stiffness

Spinal Movement

Herniated Disc

Wrist Anatomy

Tendon Movement

Take Action!Take Action!Take Action!Take Action!

Report concerns to:

Safety personnel?Supervisors?

As soon as you are aware of early warning signals

Early action may prevent loss of function and serious injury!

Risk Factors

Actions or conditions found to contribute to worker discomfort or injury

• Risk implies

- Probability: What is the chance something could happen?

- Severity: How bad could it be?

Risk Factor Effects

• Who is doing the work

• How many risk factors there are

• How much there is of each risk factor

• How often the work is done

Are hard to predict, they depend on:

Targeting Risk FactorsInjury

Symptoms

Signs

Risk Factors

Examples of Acute Risk Factors

• Forceful work

• Pinch points

• Slipping or tripping hazards

• Working around moving equipment

• Falling or flying objects

• Electrical shock

Cumulative Injury Risk Factors

1. Forceful Work: A lot of physical effort

2. Poor Posture: Poor positioning of the body

3. Repetitive Work: Doing the same movements many times

4. Vibration Exposure: Two types – hand-arm & whole body

Four Main Risk Factors

Examples of Forceful Work

• Heavy lifting

• Carrying heavy objects

• Forceful pushing or pulling

• Forceful gripping

• Shoveling damp or heavy materials

Examples of Poor Posture

• Elbows above shoulders

• Extended forward reaches

• Trunk bent over more than 20 degrees

• Extreme wrist bending

• Pinch grips

• Kneeling or squatting

Examples of Repetitive Work

• Using equipment controls

• Machine paced assembly tasks

• Packing or unpacking items

• Computer keyboarding

• Manning a store check out line

Examples of Vibration Exposure

• Hand-Arm:Using vibrating tools.

• Whole Body:Sitting or standing on vibrating surfaces.

Identifying Risk Factor Root Causes

• Method used or required to do the task• Effort or strength required• Location of parts, equipment, or tools• Position of parts, equipment, or tools• Design of parts, equipment, or tools• Speed or frequency of work• Duration or repetition of tasks• Environment factors (light, temp, noise…)

Video Tape Examples

• What is the risk factor(s)?

• What part(s) of the body is affected?

• What is causing the risk factor(s)?

Three key questions:Three key questions:

Stacking boxes

Risk Factors ObservedRisk Factors Observed

Body Parts AffectedBody Parts Affected

Job Evaluation FormJob Name: Job Name: Box StackingBox Stacking

X Poor Posture X Forceful Gripping

X Repetitive Work X Heavy Lifting/Carrying

Pinch Point Forceful Pushing/Pulling

Pressure Points Heavy Shoveling

Electric Shock Slipping/Tripping Hazard

Bouncing/Jarring Flying/Falling Objects

Vibrating Tools Whole Body Vibration

Other (describe): ________________________

Other (describe): ________________________

Other (describe): ________________________

XX X

X

XXX X

Job Evaluation Form (cont’d)

Root Causes Identified Root Causes Identified

Method: Box stacks start at floor level and go to above shoulder Effort: Boxes weigh 50 lbs and must be carried across the roomLocation of parts: Boxes are stored all around the conveyorPosition of parts:Design of parts: Box size and shape makes it hard to carry &

weight of boxes is too muchSpeed or frequency: Conveyor moves quickly setting a quick work paceDuration or repetition: Conveyor pace causes very repetitive jobEnvironment factors:Other:

Operating Hydraulic Pit Station

Risk Factors ObservedRisk Factors Observed

Body Parts AffectedBody Parts Affected

Job Evaluation FormJob Name: Job Name: Hydraulic Pit OperationHydraulic Pit Operation

XX

XXX X

X

X XX

X Poor Posture X Forceful Gripping

X Repetitive Work Heavy Lifting/Carrying

Pinch Point Forceful Pushing/Pulling

X Pressure Points Heavy Shoveling

Electric Shock Slipping/Tripping Hazard

Bouncing/Jarring Flying/Falling Objects

Vibrating Tools Whole Body Vibration

Other (describe): Static Posture

Other (describe): ________________________

Other (describe): ________________________

Job Evaluation Form (cont’d)

Root Causes Identified Root Causes Identified

Method: Type of control causes frequent & exaggerated movementsEffort required:Location of parts, equipment or tools: Control positioning causes leaning in

and reachingPosition of parts, equipment or tools: Control table flat not angled properly

for operatorDesign of parts, equipment or tools: Round control top causes hand pressure

points & Sharp edge on tableSpeed or frequency: Pace of work controlled by dragline productionDuration or repetition: Task requires constant control useEnvironment factors:Other: Poor seat with no arm supportOther: Long shift with few breaks

Preventing Injuries

Engineering Controls

Work Practices

PPE

Changes made to workers to reduce hazards

Rest Breaks

Exercise

Changes to procedures associated with our work

Changes to workstation, tools, and equipment

Take Action!Take Action!Take Action!Take Action!

As soon as you are aware of risk factors

Early action may prevent loss of function and serious injury!

Targeting Risk Factors

Injury

Symptoms

Signs

Risk Factors

Proactiv

e

Thank You!

Questions?