fire fighting ergonomics
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Eric F. Shaver, Ph.D. August 2012
Part of the Introduction to Series
Fire Fighting Ergonomics
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Overview
Goals of the Presentation
Overview of HFE
CTD Fundamentals
Why is Ergonomics Important for Fire Fighting?
Fire Fighting Ergonomics Program
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Goals of the Presentation
Understand the importance of ergonomics to fire fighting.
Learn about CTDs (e.g., what they are; types; symptoms, etc.).
Know the process for reporting ergonomic risk factors & CTDs.
Understand the importance of implementing an Ergonomics Program.
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Overview of Human Factors & Ergonomics (HFE)
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What is HFE?
Human factors & ergonomics (HFE) is a unique scientific discipline that systematically applies the knowledge of human abilities and limitations to the design of systems with the goal of optimizing the interaction between people and other system elements to enhance safety, performance, and satisfaction.
In simpler terms, HFE focuses on designing the world to better accommodate people.
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What is HFE?, cont.
Notice I refer to it as human factors & ergonomics instead of just ergonomics.
Both terms are used interchangeably. I prefer to combine them.
Ergonomics is a Greek word meaning:
Ergo = work
Nomos = law
In a literal sense, it means work laws.
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What is HFE?, cont.
Human factors are relevant anywhere people work with systems, whether they are social or technical in nature.
The breadth of these sociotechnical systems include situations and circumstances where individuals interact with other system elements including:
People
Technology
Tasks
Organizations
Environments
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Origins of HFE
Human Factors &
Ergonomics
Psychology
Anthropology
Applied Physiology
Environmental Medicine
Engineering Computer Science
Statistics
Operations Research
Industrial Design
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Origins of HFE, cont.
In the U.S., HFE is generally considered to have originated during WWII.
But, advances that contributed to its formation can be traced to the turn of the 20th century.
HFE started in the military, but expanded into most industries, including fire fighting (wildland & structural).
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Industries Benefiting from HFE
Aerospace
Automotive
Chemical
Computer
Consumer products
Construction
Defense
Forestry
Health care
Manufacturing
Mining
Nuclear
Petroleum
Telecommunications
Textile
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What Value Does HFE Add?
Increased
Safety & health
Quality
Productivity
Ease of learning & use
Satisfaction, trust & loyalty
User experience & engagement
Sales & market share
Decreased
Deaths, injuries & illnesses
Accidents
Error rates
Absenteeism & turnover
Training time
Development costs
Need for redesign & recall
Support & services costs
Equipment damages
Maintenance costs
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CTD Fundamentals
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Overview
What are CTDs
Types of CTDs
Symptoms of CTDs
Ergonomic Risk Factors for CTDs
Reporting Suspected CTDs
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What are CTDs?
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Work-related disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system that develop overtime as a result of repeated stresses.
Also, goes by:
WMSD (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)
RMI (Repetitive Motion Injury)
RSI (Repetitive Stress / Strain Injury)
OOS (occupational Overuse Syndrome)
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Where can CTDs Develop?
Often occur in the upper body, but can manifest anywhere.
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Types of CTDs
Tendon-related:
Tendinitis: inflammation of a tendon
Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the lining of the sheath that surrounds a tendon
Trigger Finger (or Thumb): fingers or thumb to catch or lock in a bent position due to tendon inflammation
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Types of CTDs, cont.
Nerve-related:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: median nerve entrapment that causes pain, tingling, and numbness of the hand
Digital Neuritis: Inflammation of the nerves in the fingers caused by repeated contact or continuous pressure
Joint-related:
Osteoarthritis: wear and tear arthritis; Degenerative Joint Disease
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Types of CTDs, cont.
Muscle-related:
Sprain: an injury to a joint (e.g., shoulder, knee, etc.)
Strain: an injury to a muscle or tendon (e.g., back)
Myalgia: muscle pain due to overuse or being over-stretched
Tension Neck Syndrome: soreness due to static loading or tenseness of neck muscles.
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Types of CTDs, cont.
Circulatory/Vascular-related:
Raynauds Syndrome: a.k.a., vibration-induced white finger; discoloration of the fingers due to extreme vasoconstriction.
Bursa-related:
Joint Bursitis: inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that lies between a tendon and skin, or between a tendon and bone
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Symptoms of CTDs
Muscle tightness & fatigue
Soreness, pain, and discomfort
Joint stiffness / popping & cracking
Limited range of motion
Numbness / tingling sensations
Burning sensations
Swelling & redness
Weakness / loss of strength
Coordination problems / clumsiness
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Ergonomic Risk Factors for CTDs
Heavy Weights / Forceful Exertions
Awkward Postures
Contact Stress (Localized)
High Repetition / Prolonged Activities
Excessive Vibration (Part or Whole Body)
Insufficient Recovery Time
Environmental Stressors
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Heavy Weights / Forceful Exertions
Heavy weights are physically taxing & potentially damaging to the body.
Forceful exertions are often used to overcome the inability of normal muscular strength to move or dislodge a large object.
Can lead to sprains, strains, soft tissue contact injuries.
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Awkward Postures
Awkward postures are those that move the body away from vertical position. These postures include:
Lateral bending or twisting at the waist (e.g., twisting to lift an object or avoid an obstacle);
Movement of the hands and arms above shoulder level (e.g., lifting, moving or holding);
Loads on the hands when the arms are extended (e.g., holding or moving objects at arm length);
Positions of the head not aligned with the body (e.g., overhead work, low or high monitors, etc.); and
Bent hand/wrist positions.
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Awkward Postures, cont.
These postures can be:
Static (e.g., bent over holding a hose)
Dynamic (e.g., lifting or moving objects)
Static postures create mechanical and metabolic loads.
Mechanically, static loads: Strain muscle and connective tissue
Metabolically, static loads: Reduce or exclude blood flow
Produce local muscle fatigue
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Contact Stress (Localized)
Examples
Contact with unpadded, sharp edge
Grasping small diameter tools requiring high forces
Using body part as a striking tool
It can:
Reduce blood flow
Compress body tissue
Increase body friction
Promote tissue inflammation
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High Repetition / Prolonged Activity
Repetition often combines with other risk factors.
Highly repetitive tasks affect the mechanical parts of the body (e.g., muscles, tendons, ligaments) and the bodys physiologic functions.
Higher rates of work require more muscle activity, force and recovery time.
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Excessive Vibration
Two types:
Partial Body: typically originates in the hand or arm
Whole Body: originates from the feet (standing work) or buttocks/back (seated work)
Assessed by:
Level (m/s)
Frequency (Hz)
Exposure duration
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Excessive Vibration, cont.
Whole Body
< 1Hz = Seasickness
1 and 100Hz (especially between 4 & 8 Hz) Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Low back pain
Impaired vision
Partial Body
8 and 1000Hz Reduction in finger sensitivity and dexterity
Muscle, joint, and bone disorders
Vibration-induced white finger
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Insufficient Recovery Time
Examples
Short or no rest breaks
Lack of sleep
Continuous days of work without day(s) off
Injuries & illnesses not being allowed to properly heal
Results
Fatigue
Re-injury
Errors (slips, lapses, & mistakes)
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Environmental Stressors
Types:
Excessive noise
Extreme heat or cold
Chemicals
Inappropriate illumination
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Why is Ergonomics Important for the Fire Fighting Profession?
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Ergonomics & Fire Fighting
Ergonomic hazards can be present during:
Fire fighting operations
EMS calls
Training & drills
Physical exercise
Station activates
One potential solution is to design, develop, and deploy a quality ergonomics program.
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Fire Fighting Ergonomics Program
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Overview
Phase 1: Planning
Phase 2: Identify & Analyze Ergonomic Hazards
Phase 3: Develop & Implement Ergonomic Hazard Controls
Phase 4: Final Approval & Documentation
Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation
Phase 6: Training
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Ergonomics Program, cont.
Phase 1: Planning
Create an Ergonomic Committee
Develop a timeline
Identify areas to address
Phase 2: Identify & Analyze Ergonomic Hazards
Facilities Review
Vehicles & Equipment Review
PPE Review
Records Review
Personnel Interviews
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Ergonomics Program, cont.
Phase 3: Develop & Implement Ergonomic Hazard Controls
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Warning signs & Labels
Training
Phase 4: Final Approval & Documentation
Documents what occurred during Phases 1 3
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Ergonomics Program, cont.
Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation
On a quarterly basis: Ergonomic committee should meet to assess new developments.
Review all completed Ergonomics Symptom Survey forms.
Review any pertinent accident & incident forms.
Interview impacted employees.
Identify ergonomic hazard(s).
Remove or mitigate ergonomic hazard(s).
Document process and findings.
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Ergonomics Program, cont.
Phase 5: Monitoring & Periodic Evaluation, cont.
On a yearly basis: Have an outside ergonomics professional review your progress.
If necessary, implement changes to the ergonomics program & educate personnel about the changes.
On an as needed basis: If a pressing ergonomic issue arises, address it immediately.
Complete all steps listed in On a quarterly basis.
Phase 6: Training
Educate fire fighters about the importance of ergonomics.
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Take Home Message
Ergonomics is important for fire fighter safety & health.
CTDs often arent diagnosed early enough or go undiagnosed.
Numerous ergonomic risk factors contribute to CTDs development.
A quality ergonomics program can assist in identifying & removing ergonomic hazards often missed by typical safety programs.
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Resources
FEMA (1996, March). Fire and emergency medical services ergonomics: A guide for understanding and implementing an ergonomics program in your department
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-161.pdf
NIOSH (1997, March). Elements of ergonomics programs: A primer based on workplace evaluations of musculoskeletal disorders.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/pdfs/97-117.pdf
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Resources, cont.
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Author Biography
Dr. Shaver is a senior consultant with Benchmark Research & Safety, Inc., where he specializes in human factors & ergonomics, safety, organizational behavior, leadership development, user research, and training. Dr. Shaver's work has emphasized achieving an optimal fit between people, technology, and work systems to facilitate safety, performance, and satisfaction. A specific focus has centered on bridging the research-practice gap by synthesizing and disseminating the latest scientific findings about human capabilities and limitations to the design, development, implementation, use, and evaluation of technology.
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Contact Information
Eric F. Shaver, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.thehumanfactorblog.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericshaver
SlideShare: www.slideshare.net/ericfshaver
Twitter: @ericshaver