TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

ERGONOMICS
WRITTEN REPORT

In Partial Fulfillment of A Subject

BET2-M BASIC OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

GROUP 7
EMBERSO, NORIELLE S.
DIMAPILIS, PATRICK JAKE
BETCT – 3C

PROF. SAMUEL M. PACBA

INSTRUCTOR
 INTRODUCTION

The scientific discipline concerned with understanding of interactions among humans and
other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, methods and data to
design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”. Ergonomics
means “fitting the job to the worker.” From the Greek, Ergo means “work.” Nomos means Laws.
Work Related Musculo-Skeletal Disorders WMSD, also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorders
(CTDS), Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIS) or Overuse Injuries.

These injuries are called work-related musculoskeletal injuries, or WMSDs. You may have
heard of these injuries by another name, such as MSD’s which are the same as WMSD’s, but they
don’t happen as a result of work related issues, cumulative trauma disorder, or CTD; repetitive
strain injury, or RSI; or overuse injuries. WMSDs affect the soft tissues of the body - the muscles,
tendons that connect muscles to bones, ligaments that connect bone to bone, nerves, blood vessels,
pretty much every part of your body that’s not a bone or internal organ.

These are the parts of your body that are prone to injury when demands on them go beyond
what they can handle. Typically, these injuries occur in your body’s joints, the moving parts of the
body like your low back, wrist, shoulder, elbow and knee. These are the parts of your body that
get used the most and that are placed under the most stress during the day.
Often these injuries start out small, as a little muscle pull or a slightly irritated tendon.
However, if a small injury isn’t given a chance to heal, it can become aggravated, especially if you
keep doing the activity that caused the injury in the first place. Over time, these small injuries can
build until they become chronic, and at this point they become a WMSD.
Refer to the NIOSH definition of MSD and WMSD: MSDs refer to the disorders of the
muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints cartilage, or spinal disks. These disorders are not result
of any instantaneous event such as slip or fall but reflect a more gradual or chronic development.
These are disorders that diagnosed by a medical history, physical examination, or other medical
tests and they can range in severity from mild and intermittent to debilitating and chronic. These
are disorders with several distinct features (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) or disorders defined
primarily by the location of the pain (such as low back pain). WMSDs refer to MSDs to which the
work environment and the performance of work contribute significantly or MSDs that are made
worse of longer lasting by work conditions.
This paper will discuss how ergonomics can help you on your job, identify common work-related
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), recognize risk factors associated with work-related MSDs.
Identify ergonomic control methods for eliminating/reducing work-related MSDs.

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….3

I. IMPORTANCE OF ERGONOMICS………………………………………………..………3
II. COMMON WORK-RELATED MSDS
III. RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MSDS……………………...……………………5
IV. ERGONOMIC CONTROL METHODS……………………………………………...……5
1. Establish Ergonomics Program
2. Job Hazard Analysis and Control
3. Engineering Controls
4. Administrative and Work Practice Controls
5. Personal Protective Equipment

V. PHYSICAL ERGONOMIC HAZARDS AND SOLUTIONS……………………………....7

1. Reaching Above the Head/Shoulders.
2. Awkward Body Postures
3. Awkward Grips
4. Repetitive Motions
5. Localized Pressure On Body Part
6. Lifting Objects
7. Vibration

VI. EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS………………………………………….17

1. Provide Management Support
2. Involve Workers
3. Provide Training
4. Identify Problems
5. Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms
6. Implement Solutions to Control Hazards
7. Evaluate Progress

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………19

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………18

2
 Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32 percent of all injury and illness cases in
2014 for all ownerships. The MSD incidence rate decreased to 33.8 cases per 10,000 full-time
workers in 2014, down from 35.8 cases. Nursing assistants and laborers and freight, stock, and
material movers incurred the highest number of MSD cases in 2014. MSD cases accounted for 54
percent of total cases that occurred to nursing assistants in 2014. Musculoskeletal disorders: In
2014 for all workers, there were 365,580 cases of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as
sprains or strains resulting from overexertion in lifting. The MSD incidence rate was 33.8 cases
per 10,000 full-time workers in 2014, down from 35.8 in 2013. Workers who sustained an MSD
required a median of 13 days to recuperate before returning to work in 2014, compared to 9 days
for all types of cases and up from 11 days in 2013.
Ergonomics. “The scientific discipline concerned with understanding of interactions among
humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, methods
and data to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.”
Ergonomics means “fitting the job to the worker,” including: Work stations, Tools and Equipment.
Ergo means Work and Nomos means Law.

I. WHY IS ERGONOMICS IMPORTANT?

1. Overexertion is the leading cause of injuries throughout all injuries.

a. Most costly (32% of Workers’ Compensation expenses in 2014)
b. Recurring/persistent pain may develop in future

2. Bodily reaction (bending, climbing, reaching, standing, sitting, and slips and trips without
falling) is another leading cause of injuries in the workplace.
3. Repetitive motion is also within top 10 most common workplace injuries.

II. COMMON WORK-RELATED MSDS

“Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments
and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors
at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads,
working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure
to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker's risk of injury.

Work-related MSDs can be prevented. Ergonomics --- fitting a job to a person --- helps
lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related
MSDs.”

3
 Daily stress to anatomical structures that may occur when a person is exposed to certain
high risk activities If the accumulating stress exceeds the body’s normal recuperative ability,
inflammation of the tissue can follow Chronic inflammation may lead to the development of
WMSDs May require weeks, months or years for development - and for recovery
WMSDs are sometimes referred to using other unfamiliar terms such as :

a. Cumulative Trauma Disorders – CTD

b. Repetitive Trauma Disorders – RTD
c. Repetitive Strain Injuries – RSI
d. Repeated Motion Disorders – RMD
e. Overuse Syndromes

Most commonly affected areas:

1. Back
2. Arms, Elbows, and Shoulders
3. Neck
4. Hands, Wrists, and Fingers
5. Knees, Ankles, and Feet

Of all the injuries and illnesses that involved days away from work, injuries related to
Repetitive Motion Involving Microtasks had the highest rate of missed days at 23. Overexertion
and Bodily Reaction had the highest incident rate of all injuries and illnesses at 36 per 10,0000
full-time workers.
The ten occupations that accounted for the highest incident rate (per 10,000 full-time workers)
included the following: (number of cases in parenthesis with top 4 # of cases bolded)
1. Nursing Assistants (20,920 cases)
2. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics (3,880 cases)
3. Firefighters (5,760 cases)
4. Highway Maintenance Workers (1,690 cases)
5. Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers (10,390 cases)
6. Reservation and Travel Clerks (1,300 cases)
7. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (17,030 cases)
8. Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (6,650 cases)
9. Telecommunications Installers and Repairers, except Line Installers (1,820 cases)
10. Janitors and Cleaners, except Maids (14,530 cases)

4
III. RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MSDS

“The risk of MSD injury depends on work positions and postures, how often the task is
performed, the level of required effort and how long the task lasts. Risk factors that may lead to
the development of MSDs include:

1. Exerting excessive force.

Examples include lifting heavy objects or people, pushing or pulling heavy loads, manually
pouring materials, or maintaining control of equipment or tools.

2. Performing the same or similar tasks repetitively.

Examples include performing the same motion or series of motions continually or
frequently for an extended period of time.

3. Working in awkward postures or being in the same posture for long periods of time.
Using positions that place stress on the body, such as prolonged or repetitive reaching
above shoulder height, kneeling, squatting, leaning over a counter, using a knife with wrists bent,
or twisting the torso while lifting.

4. Localized pressure into the body part.

Pressing the body or part of the body (such as the hand) against hard or sharp edges, or
using the hand as a hammer.

IV. ERGONOMIC CONTROL METHODS

Methods of protecting against MSDs:

1. Establish ergonomics program
a. Training
b. Feedback from all levels
2. Conduct job hazard analysis (JHAs)
3. Engineering Controls
4. Administrative and Work Practice Controls
5. Personal Protective Equipment

5
1. Establish Ergonomics Program
Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. Training should be conducted in a
language and vocabulary that all workers understand and is best provided by individuals who have
experience with ergonomic issues in your particular industry. When training is effective workers
will:
• Learn the principles of ergonomics and their applications.
• Learn about the proper use of equipment, tools, and machine controls.
• Use good work practices, including proper lifting techniques.
• Become more aware of work tasks that may lead to pain or injury.
• Recognize early symptoms of MSDs.
• Understand the importance of reporting and addressing early indications of MSDs before
serious injuries develop.
• Understand procedures for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses, as required by
OSHA's injury and illness recording and reporting regulation (29 CFR Part 1904).

2. Job Hazard Analysis and Control

Where a work-related MSD exists all employees performing a similar job must be observed
and the job evaluated using either one or more of the job hazard analysis tools provided by OSHA
or another reasonable method appropriate for the situation. Once ergonomic risks have been
identified the employer must implement controls to reduce, minimize or eliminate the risks. Four
kinds of controls can be implemented in any combination

3. Engineering Controls (implement physical change to the workplace, which eliminates/reduces

the hazard on the job/task)
a. Use a device to lift and reposition heavy objects to limit force exertion
b. Reduce the weight of a load to limit force exertion
c. Reposition a work table to eliminate a long/excessive reach and enable working in neutral
postures
d. Use diverging conveyors off a main line so that tasks are less repetitive
e. Install diverters on conveyors to direct materials toward the worker to eliminate excessive
leaning or reaching
f. Redesign tools to enable neutral postures

6
4. Administrative and Work Practice Controls (establish efficient processes or procedures)

a. Require that heavy loads are only lifted by two people to limit force exertion
b. Establish systems so workers are rotated away from tasks to minimize the duration of
continual exertion, repetitive motions, and awkward postures. Design a job rotation system
in which employees rotate between jobs that use different muscle groups
c. Staff "floaters" to provide periodic breaks between scheduled breaks
d. Properly use and maintain pneumatic and power tools

5. Personal Protective Equipment (use protection to reduce exposure to ergonomics-related risk

factors)

a. Use padding to reduce direct contact with hard, sharp, or vibrating surfaces
b. Wear good fitting thermal gloves to help with cold conditions while maintaining the ability
to grasp items easily

V. PHYSICAL ERGONOMIC HAZARDS AND SOLUTIONS

1. REACHING ABOVE THE HEAD/SHOULDERS.

A. Potential Hazards:
1. Working on overhead tasks in awkward posture with the hands raised above the
shoulder may restrict blood flow and result in nerve compression that affects the upper
extremities and shoulders causing numbness, tingling, discomfort and fatigue when these
postures are maintained for long periods of time.
2. Awkward postures while pulling with the hands above the shoulder cause an increased
load imposed on the shoulders, neck and back. When performed repeatedly, these tasks
may result in overexertion of the back and upper extremities.
B. Solutions:

Simple ways to reduce reach distances:

a. Keep items within close reach (design reach distance for the shortest worker)
b. Platform allowing for easier access to items

c. Pullout steps on vehicles

d. Elevated racks that can be lowered to an appropriate height when access is needed
e. Remove obstacles

f. Utilize equipment to raise and lower items or move items closer to worker, such as:

7
 i. Use gravity feed racks (these are racks on shelves with little wheels that
allow boxes stored on them to slide forward as the front box is removed.
(Kind of like taking a can of beverage out of the cooler case at a convenience
store.)
ii. Small portable forklift

g. “Provide “pick sticks” or “bow peep” hooks to pull small, light-weight items closer
to edge prior to lifting.”
h. Remove impediments such as worktables, bins or power equipment to improve
access.
i. Adjust height of the work pieces to allow elbows to stay close to the body within
the power zone

j. Use of a portable pulley combined with mechanical pullers may significantly

reduce overhead reaches and force requirements of the task.”

2. AWKWARD BODY POSTURES

A. Potential Hazards:
1. Your head weighs 10 to 12 pounds, so it can be quite a strain to work with your neck bent.

2. Neck posture is only covered by the rule if the worker is not able to vary his or her posture.
Working with the neck bent like this is pretty common in inspection jobs, such as with this
cherry sorter. It also is common in job such as:
a. welding,
b. microscope work,
c. dental hygienists
d. Your upper body is 60 percent of your total body weight, so like your neck holding
up your head, it’s also a strain for your back to hold you in a bent over position for
more than two hours per day, such as landscapers who work near ground level.
3. Like neck posture, back posture is only covered if the worker is not able to vary his or her
posture.

If the location of your work is too low, you’re going to have to get into an awkward posture
to get to it. Typically, that means bending your back, kneeling or squatting. It can also mean
bending your head and neck forward. If ergonomics is about adapting the work to fit you,

8
 instead of asking you to adapt to the work, what do you think some ergonomic solutions might
be?

Posture – repeated working in a deviated body posture (e.g. bent neck, back, wrists, arms
above the head etc.) for more than 2 hours per day.
If the location of your work is too low, you’re going to have to get into an awkward posture to get
to it. Typically that means bending your back, kneeling or squatting. It can also mean bending your
head and neck forward.
If ergonomics is about adapting the work to fit you, instead of asking you to adapt to the work,
what do you think some ergonomic solutions might be?
Squatting - is one alternative to bending at the back to get down low, and it’s fine to do
for short periods of time. Unfortunately, it creates a lot of pressure behind the knee cap and can
cause knee injuries over time.
Kneeling - also is a risk factor for knee injuries, since it creates pressure both in front of
and behind the knee cap.

B. Solutions:

1. If the work is too low, one solution to consider is finding a way to raise the work.
2. If that’s not possible, can you use a low stool to provide support so that you can sit lower
near the level of the work.
3. Long-handled tools can be used in some cases so that you can stand upright and work.
4. If none of these will work, it at least helps some to alternate between different postures, so
that you don’t spend too much time in any one position.

3. AWKWARD GRIPS

A. Potential Hazards:

1. Using a lot of hand force increases the risk for hand, wrist and elbow injuries, and in some
cases shoulder injuries.
2. Holding something between the tips of the fingers and the thumb is called a pinch grip.
This type of grip uses very small muscles in the hand and wrist, so even holding something
that weighs only 2 pounds can be a risk for injury if it’s done for more than 2 hours per
day.
3. Because you can’t get as good a grip with your fingertips as with your whole hand, you
tend to use more force to hold onto something than just the weight of the object. For
example, in order to hold onto a stack of paper that weighs two pounds, you actually have
to use four pounds of grip force.

9
 a. Jobs involving pinch force of 4 pounds are also covered, even if the weight being handled
is really low. An example would be an assembly job where one of the parts inserted are
spring clips that require a pinch force of 4 pounds to open.
b. When you grip something with your whole hand you’re able to use the larger muscles in
your forearm, and this gives you a grip that’s five times stronger than a pinch grip. You’re
also able to get a better grip so the amount of grip force you use is pretty much equal to the
weight of the object you’re holding.
c. Therefore, grip force only enters the caution zone if it’s 10 or more pounds of weight held
or 10 or more pounds of force exerted, and it’s done for more than 2 hours per day.

B. Solutions:

1. Limit hand-carrying stresses through:

a. Design of work layout that reduces hand-carrying of items.
b. Reduce number of items carried at one time.
2. Use non-pinch grip postures to hold and carry items.
3. Use ergonomically designed tools/aids, such as:
a. Friction-reducing aids on fingers to reduce amount of force exerted in the pinch
grip.
4. Use job/task rotation that includes tasks not requiring pinch grip
5. Maintain hand postures that provide maximal finger force. Generally, the hand span should
be about 1.75 to 2.25 inches for maximum finger exertion and the hand should be in the
shape of a C.
6. Limit the amount of product that is lifted at one time to reduce the finger force exerted.
Some recommendations for repetitive tasks that require pinch grips and that include force
should be limited to about 2 to 4 pounds of force. Note: It takes about 2 pounds of force to
hold a 12 oz. soda can and about 5 pounds of force to fully open a small binder clip.
7. Ensure that the hand is maintained in a neutral posture where it is not bent either up or
down or to either side. Bending the wrist reduces the amount of force that can be safely
exerted by the fingers.

4. REPETITIVE MOTIONS

A. Potential Hazards:

Fewer people know that repetitive lifting can be just as hazardous (as heavy lifting) because
of the fatigue it causes. When you lift frequently you can tire out the muscles, making them more
prone to injury. If your muscles can’t handle the load, the strain can be shifted to your joints and
the disks in your spine, placing them at risk for injury, too.

10
 1. Repeating same motion for more than two hours per day with hands, wrists, elbows,
shoulders, or neck.

2. Intense keying for more than 4 hours per day.

Repetition – high repetition rate for the same movements for at least 2 hours at a time; or, using a
high repetition device (e.g. keyboard, mouse) for more than 4 hours a day.

B. Solutions:

Repetitive motions may be required by your job. However, a lot of times you have some
control over what motions you make and how often you make them. Things you can do to reduce
repetitive motions include:

1. Arrange work to avoid unnecessary motions

2. Let power tools and machinery do the work
3. Spread repetitive work out during the day
4. Take stretch pauses
5. Rotate tasks with co-workers if possible
6. Change hands or motions frequently

5. LOCALIZED PRESSURE ON BODY PART

A. Potential Hazards:

“Short handles may press or rub against the palm and fingers… causing contact stress. Small
handle diameter may increase force requirements of tool leading to fatigue, discomfort and pain.”

1. Pressing the body/part of the body against hard or sharp edges.

2. Standing/kneeling for prolonged periods on hard surfaces.
3. Using tools with hard handle surfaces or short handles.
4. Using hands/knees as a hammer more than 10 times in 1 hour or more than 2 times per
day (long-term)

Contact stress – applying contact force with a body part more than 10 times per hour for more
than 2 hours per day (e.g. using the hand or knee as a hammer).

B. Solutions:

1. “General controls to reduce contact stress:

a. Use electric or power tools, knives and scissors.
b. Use spring-loaded scissors.

11
 c. Attached well-designed handles to tools.
d. Wrap of coat tool handles and grips with cushioning material.
e. Use palm pads.
f. Use sit stand stools to reduce static loading on legs and back.
g. Use shoes with thick or cushioned soles.”
2. “To minimize contact stress (on desks/computer stations):

• Pad table edges with inexpensive materials such as pipe insulation.

• Use a wrist rest.

• Buy furniture with rounded desktop edges.”

6. LIFTING OBJECTS

A. Potential Hazards:
1. Just about every job requires some lifting, but lifting only becomes a risk for injury if
it’s heavy lifting, it the lifting is done frequently, or if it’s done in an awkward posture.
2. For the caution zone, heavy lifting is any lift of 75 lbs or more once per day, or 55 lbs
ten or more times per day.

3. Frequent lifting is 10 lbs or more, more than twice per minute, for more than 2 hours
per day.
4. Awkward lifts are lifts of 25 lbs or more above the shoulders, below the knees, or out
at arms’ length done more than 25 times per day.
Force –any lift of more than 34 Kilograms (75 pounds); any pushing/pulling of more than 9
kilograms (20 pounds) of initial force for more than 2 hours per day.

Most people are aware that lifting heavy objects increases the risk for injury. The load on
the low back when lifting something heavy can strain the muscles and damage the disks in your
spine. The load can strain the muscles in the shoulders and upper back as well.

Fewer people know that repetitive lifting can be just as hazardous because of the fatigue it
causes. When you lift frequently you can tire out the muscles, making them more prone to injury.
If your muscles can’t handle the load, the strain can be shifted to your joints and the disks in your
spine, placing them at risk for injury, too.
Lifting - even moderate loads while bent over or reaching up or out can also place you at risk of
injury, to either your back or your shoulders. When you bend over to pick something up from
below your knees, not only does your back have to lift the object, but it also has to lift the weight
12
of your upper body. Something else to keep in mind, the same stresses are there when you lower
something as when you lift it.

B. Solutions:

1. “Management Guidelines for Safer Lifting:

a. Plan the workflow to eliminate unnecessary lifts.

b. Organize the work so that the physical demands and work pace increase gradually.
c. Minimize the distances loads are lifted and lowered.
d. Position pallet loads of materials at a height that allows workers to lift and lower within
their power zone.
e. Avoid manually lifting or lowering loads to or from the floor.
i. Store materials and/or products off the floor.

ii. Arrange materials to arrive on pallets and keep materials on pallets during storage.
Use a forklift to lift or lower the entire pallet of material, rather than lifting or
lowering the material individually.

iii. Arrange to have material off-loaded directly onto storage shelves. Store only
lightweight or infrequently lifted items on the floor.
iv. Use mechanical devices (e.g., lifts, hoists ) whenever possible.

v. Avoid designing jobs that require workers to lift or lower materials to or from floor
level.

f. For loads that are unstable and/or heavy:

i. Tag the load to alert workers.
ii. Test the load for stability and weight before carrying the load.
iii. Use mechanical devices or equipment to lift the load.
iv. Reduce the weight of the load by:
Putting fewer items in the container.

Using a smaller and/or lighter-weight container.

v. Repack containers so contents will not shift, and the weight is balanced.
Use team lifting as a temporary measure for heavy or bulky objects.

13
 vi. Reduce the frequency of lifting and the amount of time employees perform lifting tasks
by:

Rotating workers in lifting tasks with other workers in non-lifting tasks.

Having workers alternate lifting tasks with non-lifting tasks.
vii. Clear spaces to improve access to materials or products being handled. Easy access
allows workers to get closer and reduces reaching, bending, and twisting.
2. “Employee Guidelines for Safer Lifting
1. The use of stretching is appropriate as part of a comprehensive ergonomic program.
Stretching must not be used in place of engineering and/or administrative improvements.
2. Check for tags on loads.
3. Before lifting, always test the load for stability and weight.

4. For loads that are unstable and/or heavy, follow management guidelines…
5. Plan the lift:

• Wear appropriate shoes to avoid slips, trips, or falls.

• If you wear gloves, choose the size that fits properly. Depending on the
material the gloves are made of and the number of pairs worn at once, more
force may be needed to grasp and hold objects. For example, wearing a
single pair of heat-resistant gloves can reduce your grip strength up to 40
percent. Wearing two or more pairs of gloves at once can reduce your grip
strength up to 60 percent.

• Lift only as much as you can safely handle by yourself.

• Keep the lifts in your power zone (i.e., above the knees, below the
shoulders, and close to the body), if possible.
• Use extra caution when lifting loads that may be unstable.
6. When lifting:

• Get a secure grip.

• Use both hands whenever possible.

• Avoid jerking by using smooth, even motions.

• Keep the load as close to the body as possible.

To the extent feasible use your legs to push up and lift the load, not the upper body or back.

14
Do not twist your body. Step to one side or the other to turn.
Alternate heavy lifting or forceful exertion tasks with less physically demanding tasks.

Take rest breaks.” (pg. 19)

“Team lifting can reduce the load in half. Discuss your lifting plan so you don’t make surprise
movements.

3. “Lifting”
1. Use proper lifting techniques.
a. Lean the sack onto your kneeling leg.

b. Slide the sack up onto your kneeling leg.

c. Slide the sack onto the other leg while keeping the sack close to your body.
d. As you stand up, keep the sack close to your body.

7. VIBRATION
A. Potential Hazards:
Vibration – using hand tools with high vibration levels for more than 30 minutes per day; using
hand tools with moderate vibration levels for more than 2 hours per day.

a. Moderate – more than 2 hours per day

b. High – more than 30 minutes per day
c. Prolonged

1. Whole body vibration occurs while standing or seated in vibrating environments, such as
trucks or heavy machinery.
2. Whole body vibration in a seated position has been found to increase the prevalence of
reported low back pain. Operations such as tractor driving, forklift operating, truck driving,
and driving earth moving machines have been found to result in increased back pain.

“Both hand-held and stationary tools that transmit vibration through a work piece can cause
vibration "white fingers" or hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
White fingers, or Raynaud's Syndrome, is a disease of the hands in which the blood vessels
in the fingers collapse due to repeated exposure to vibration. The skin and muscle tissue do not get
the oxygen they need and eventually die. HAVS is a more advanced condition, and the entire hand
or arm may be affected by exposure to vibration. Early signs of HAVS are infrequent feelings of
numbness and/or tingling in the fingers, hands, or arms, or numbness and whiteness in the tip of
the finger when exposed to cold. As the disease progresses, a worker experiences more frequent

15
attacks of numbness, tingling, and pain and finds it difficult to use his or her hands. A worker with
advanced HAVS may be disabled for a long time.

B. Solutions:

1. Use low-vibration tools that are specifically designed to reduce vibration.

2. Use tool balancers (portable devices that support and positon tools), which may reduce
exposure to tool vibration.
Vibration isolators or damping techniques on equipment offer the most effective protection.
Isolate machine vibrations from the surface if it is mounted or by use of vibration-isolation mounts.
Vibrating panels of machine housings and guards may be controlled by use of damping materials
applied to the panels. Felts, liquid mastics, and elastomeric damping sheets are effective damping
materials. Determining the correct type and quantity of damping material to use for a particular
machine is a complicated process and should be left to a knowledgeable person.”
1. Choose chain saws [tools] with the lowest vibration level suitable for the job.
2. Allow adequate rest periods.

3. Rotate jobs.
4. Wear warm gloves when in cold temperatures, or anti-vibration gloves.
5. Perform routine chain saw [tool] maintenance.

6. Instruct workers not to grip saws too tightly.

7. Remind workers that smoking decreases blood flow to fingers.

8. Advise workers to exercise hands and fingers frequently to increase blood flow.

Environmental ergonomic hazards:

1. Amplify/increase risk of MSDs

Examples
a. Hot weather
b. Cold weather – affects worker coordination and dexterity

c. High-temperature indoor (steam rooms, attics)

d. Cold-temperature indoor (walk-in freezers, cold process rooms)
e. Low visibility

16
VI. EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS
The following are important elements of an ergonomic process: Note: An ergonomic
process uses the principles of an injury and illness prevention program to address MSD hazards.
Such a process should be viewed as an ongoing function that is incorporated into the daily
operations, rather than as an individual project

1. Provide Management Support - A strong commitment by management is critical to the overall

success of an ergonomic process. Management should define clear goals and objectives for the
ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff
members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
2. Involve Workers - A participatory ergonomic approach, where workers are directly involved
in worksite assessments, solution development and implementation is the essence of a successful
ergonomic process. Workers can: Identify and provide important information about hazards in
their workplaces. Assist in the ergonomic process by voicing their concerns and suggestions for
reducing exposure to risk factors and by evaluating the changes made as a result of an ergonomic
assessment.
3. Provide Training - Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that
workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics related
concerns in the workplace, and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of MSDs.
4. Identify Problems - An important step in the ergonomic process is to identify and assess
ergonomic problems in the workplace before they result in MSDs.
5. Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms - Early reporting can accelerate the job
assessment and improvement process, helping to prevent or reduce the progression of symptoms,
the development of serious injuries, and subsequent lost-time claims.
6. Implement Solutions to Control Hazards - There are many possible solutions that can be
implemented to reduce, control or eliminate workplace MSDs.

7. Evaluate Progress - Established evaluation and corrective action procedures are required to
periodically assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process and to ensure its continuous
improvement and long-term success. As an ergonomic process is first developing, assessments
should include determining whether goals set for the ergonomic process have been met and
determining the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions.
Now that you’ve learned something about ergonomics you can get involved. Your
employer may ask you or some of your co-workers to be involved in our efforts to prevent
WMSDs. For example, you may be asked to help look at jobs with risk factors to see if hazards
exist. Your input can be very helpful, since you are the expert on your job.

Getting involved:

17
 • Look at jobs

• Come up with solutions

• Work with solutions

• Take part in training

• Take responsibility for changing the way you do your job

• Help to make sure efforts are successful

If jobs are found to be hazardous, you may be asked to take part in coming up with
solutions. If you have any ideas on how to fix the job, share them with us. If changes are made to
your job, do the best you can to work with those changes since they’re there for your safety. Once
you get used to the changes you may find that they actually make your job easier. Take part in
any training that comes along with the changes, so you’ll be able to adapt quickly. Your work
habits are important, too, so you may need to change the way you do some parts of your job so
that you can do them more safely. You should also try to apply the principles of ergonomics you
learn to your home life as well. Finally, make sure you let us know whether the changes have
worked or not.

18
 CONCLUSION
In summary, here are six key points to remember about ergonomics:

1. Ergonomics is a tool you can use to make your job safer and better.
2. Washington state has a rule that requires some employers to implement ergonomics in the
workplace.
3. In jobs with enough exposure to risk factors, work-related musculo-skeletal disorders, or
WMSDs, can occur.
4. By applying ergonomics, risk factors can be reduced and WMSDs prevented.
5. We can’t stress this point enough: If you start having symptoms of a WMSD, be sure you
report them early to avoid more serious injury.
6. You are the expert when it comes to your job, and you can play an important role in your
company’s ergonomics efforts. Ergonomics can be more than just a one-time fix. It can
be an on-going process that you and your employer can use to make things better.

19
 REFERENCES
1. Bridger, R.S. (2009) Introduction to Ergonomics. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
2. Bures, M. (2015) Efficient Education of Ergonomics in Industrial Engineering Study Program.
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol.174, pp.3204–3209.
3. Chang, K.-H., & Young, M. N. (2019). Behavioral stock portfolio optimization considering
holding periods of B-stocks with short-selling. Computers & Operations Research, vol.112,
104773.
4. Choppin, J., Mcduffie, A. R., Drake, C., & Davis, J. (2018). Curriculum ergonomics:
Conceptualizing the interactions between curriculum design and use. International Journal of
Educational Research, vol.92, pp.75–85.
5. Drake, C., & Remillard, J. T. (2019). Seeing teacher-designer-curriculum research through
an ergonomic lens:
6. Commentary. International Journal of Educational Research, vol.95, pp.227–236.
Estember, R. D., Panugot, R. T., & Vale, A. D. (2015). The musculoskeletal disorder effects on
the use of single and dual monitor workstations. 2015 International Conference on Industrial
Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM), Proceeding 7093822.
7. Estember, R. D., & Berdan, M. H. P. (2017). Ergonomic assessment and design improvement
of shopping carts for the satisfaction of buyers in grocery stores and supermarkets. 2017 IEEE
International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM),
pp.245-249.
8. Estember, R. D., & Abiog, M. C. M. (2018). Vulnerability assessment of Pangasinan province
to typhoons, floods and landslides, AIP Conference Proceedings, 2045, 020060.
9. Estember, R. D., & Huang, C.-J. (2019). Essential Occupational Risk and Health Interventions
for Taiwan’s Bus Drivers. 2019 IEEE 6th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and
Applications (ICIEA), pp.273- 277.
10. Gumasing, M. J. J., & Atienza, C. A. V. (2018). A design of automated parking system for
shopping centers in Metro
Manila. 2018 5th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Applications (ICIEA),
pp.415-419.

20