clorox at the_eastern_ergonomics_conference_jun_23_2005

Data-Driven Proactive Office Ergonomics: Clorox Case Study

Presented to:Eastern Ergonomics Conference & Exposition

June 23, 2005

by Douglas R. Matkins, Health & Safety Manager, Clorox Technical Center, Pleasanton, CA

The Clorox Company

Founded 1913

2004 revenues – $4.3B

Manufacturing facilities in 25 countries

8,600 employees1,500 in Oakland, CA (corporate headquarters)

500 in Pleasanton, CA (R&D, Engineering, Data Center)

6,600 in manufacturing facilities around the world

Clorox is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products.

Clorox’s Office Ergonomics Progress

$4K$4K

0

Culture changeEmployees view themselves as part of solution

12 of 15 OSHA 300 recordables were RSIsAt least 9 became claims

Ergonomist 2 days/wkMoving towards more proactive approach

PLEASANTON1995 - 1999 2000 - 2003 2004 - 2005

Source: 2001 – 2004 STARS cost data

OAKLAND

Program

Cost

Cost

Program

• Average cost per RSI claim: $36K

• Total Incurred: $475K• LWDs: 1187

• Added ergonomist• Move to proactive

program• Comfort survey• Prioritize by frequency

• Avg. cost/repetitive motion claim: $62K

• RWDs: 107• LWDs: 944

• Ergonomist 1 day/mo• Voluntary training

focused on chair setup

• Voluntary in-person training

• Employees wanted chairs, not change

• No RSIs reported by employees

• No problem perceived by management

• Voluntary in-person training

• Employees wanted chairs, not change

• >1 RSI/month

R&D Recordable Injury Rates: 1999-2005(No. of injuries in parentheses)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05

All-Type Injury Repetitive Motion Injury Lost Time Injury

(31)

R&D safety survey conducted;Reco to hire CTC safety manager.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


All-Type Injury Industry Avg Repetitive Motion Injury Lost Time Injury

(31)

(22)


“Make Safety A Habit” adopted;Injury rate goal = Industry average;

EPA hazardous materials audit.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



(31)

(16)

(22)


Ergonomist full-time;On-line safety training.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



(31)

(16)

(9)

(22)


Behavior-based safety introduced;Safety accountability to Managers.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


All-Type Injury Clorox World Class Industry BenchmarkRepetitive Motion Injury Lost Time Injury

(31)

(16)

(9)

(6)

(22)


Dept safety reps appointed;Injury rate goal = “World Class”.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


All-Type Injury Clorox World ClassRepetitive Motion Injury Lost Time Injury

(31)

(9)

(6)(3)

(22)


Near Hit reporting;LPFD audit “clutter” response.

(16)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


All-Type Injury Clorox World ClassRepetitive Motion Injury Lost Time Injury

(31)

(16)

(9)

(6) (3)

(1)

(22)


Web-based ergonomics;Recommit to “Make Safety A Habit”.

Data Supports Likely Ongoing Success

73% of the employees who were high risk at first assessment reduced their risk.

Note: Screenshots from “Office Ergonomics Suite (OES)” by Remedy Interactive (www.remedyint.com)

Learnings: 3 Critical Success Factors (CSF)

CSFs

#1 Obtain and Use Data: The Foundation• To define problem• To allocate resources• To measure progress • To obtain management buy-in (CSF)• To enable personalized follow up (CSF)

#3 Personal Feedback to Employees• To empower change

#2 Management Buy-In• From risk mgmt for budget/support• From VPs for “sponsorship”• From H&S leaders for

implementation support • From supervisors/mgrs

Office Ergonomics Objectives: 2005 & Beyond

Outcome Metrics

Decrease workers’comp costs/ Minimize injuries

Keep productivity high

Comply with regulations

Process Metrics

Provide education

Standardize tech solutions

Ensure proper setup of workstations

… Achieved through …

Gather info to personalize education & feedback

Achieving Process Metrics, 2005 & Beyond: How We Do It


Deliver info to increase employee awareness, improve workstationsetup & teach specific micro-break stretches



Employee personal profile is

highlighted

Personalized recommendations, including targeted

stretches, are offered



Insight from Data Provides Priorities for Tomorrow

Data enables useful reports that help us understand where risks are and how to better allocate resources.


In Summary:

• Clorox R&D had an ergonomic problem.

• We used data to obtain management support for a proactive program.

• We’ve implemented a program that blends in-person and technological approaches.

• Technology is providing needed insight and enabling us to scale our approach.

• We now have a model that we can extend to the broader Clorox enterprise.

clorox at the_eastern_ergonomics_conference_jun_23_2005

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