Elements of Ergonomics Programs

Overview Table of Contents Lists Authors Acknowledgments Disclaimer About the Printed Version NIOSH 800 Number NIOSH HomePage U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The printed version of this Primer was published in March 1997 as DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-117

FOREWORD The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) operates an 800-number to provide workers, employers, and organizations information about various workplace safety and health concerns. Over the past several years, the volume of NIOSH 800-number calls concerning work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has grown. They are now second only to questions about chemical hazards. WMSD inquiries, exceeding 3,700 in 1996, have come largely from callers associated with small- and medium-sized businesses, which often have limited resources to deal with occupational safety and health issues. This document has been prepared to respond to the needs of this audience. This primer describes the basic elements of a workplace ergonomics program. The text is largely built around NIOSH experiences in evaluating risks of WMSDs in a variety of workplaces. Descriptions of these NIOSH experiences provide practical illustrations of ways to identify and evaluate ergonomic hazards and to begin problem-solving efforts. In response to the widespread concern about WMSDs, and with the knowledge that many workplaces have begun successful programs to control them, a wide variety of organizations have published ergonomics program manuals and primers. We hope that this NIOSH primer will be a useful addition to the existing information. Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H. Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This primer provides basic information that will be useful for employers, workers, and others in designing effective programs to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), one of the most prevalent and costly safety and health problems in the modern workplace. It defines the key elements of an effective program in a format that allows the user to tailor the information to a particular work setting or situation. It also provides a "toolbox" of useful materials for putting a program into place, including reference materials, sources for further information, and generic forms and questionnaires.

The primer is based on the extensive practical experience accumulated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in conducting investigations in actual workplace settings, providing technical assistance to employers and workers, and evaluating the latest technical literature.

The seven elements of an effective program comprise a seven-step "pathway" for evaluating and addressing musculoskeletal concerns in an individual workplace. Each step is addressed in more detail in the primer, with examples drawn from actual NIOSH workplace evaluations. The seven steps are as follows:

One: Looking for signs of a potential musculoskeletal problem in the workplace, such as frequent worker reports of aches and pains, or job tasks that require repetitive, forceful exertions.

Two: Showing management commitment in addressing possible problems and encouraging worker involvement in problem-solving activities.

Three: Offering training to expand management and worker ability to evaluate potential musculoskeletal problems.

Four: Gathering data to identify jobs or work conditions that are most problematic, using sources such as injury and illness logs, medical records, and job analyses.

Five: Identifying effective controls for tasks that pose a risk of musculoskeletal injury and evaluating these approaches once they have been instituted to see if they have reduced or eliminated the problem.

Six: Establishing health care management to emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders for preventing impairment and disability.

Seven: Minimizing risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders when planning new work processes and operations it is less costly to build good design into the workplace than to redesign or retrofit later.

Introduction
Step 1: Looking for Signs of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Problems
Step 2: Setting the Stage for Action
Step 3: Training: Buiding In-House Expertise
Step 4: Gathering and Examining Evidence of WMSDs
Step 5: Developing Controls
Step 6: Health Care Management
Step 7: Proactive Ergonomics
References

TOOLBOX
Description of Contents
TRAY 1. Looking for Signs of WMSDs
TRAY 2. Setting the Stage for Action
TRAY 3. Training - Building In-House Expertise
TRAY 4. Data Gathering - Medical and Health Indicators
TRAY 5. Data Gathering - Job Risk Factors
TRAY 6. Evaluating Job Risk Factors
TRAY 7. Evaluating Control Effectiveness
TRAY 8. Health Care Management
TRAY 9. Proactive Ergonomics
TRAY 10. Other Primers and Manuals

List of Exhibits
List of Checklists

The authors of this document thank the numerous staff members of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and others for their assistance and advice in preparing this primer.

We are grateful to the following NIOSH personnel who supplied and critiqued materials for the document and made valuable recommendations after reviewing earlier drafts: Vernon Anderson, Susan Burt, Michael Colligan, Cheryl Estill, Lytt Gardner, Katharyn Grant, Daniel Habes, Thomas Hales, Hongwei Hsiao, Leslie MacDonald, Brian Moyer, Christopher Pan, Shiro Tanaka, Thomas Waters, and Joann Wess. We also thank the many NIOSH researchers who provided examples of NIOSH research and authored Health Hazard Evaluation Reports and other studies cited in the text.

Vanessa Becks, Susan Feldmann, Anne Hamilton, Susan Kaelin, Patricia Morris, and Jane Weber prepared the final camera copy for the printed version. Richard Carlson developed the artwork. Matthew Miller helped develop the HTML version of this primer.

We thank the following reviewers for their thoughtful comments on earlier drafts of this document:

Deborah Berkowitz United Food & Commercial Workers Union Patricia Bertsche, M.P.H., R.N., C.O.H.N.-S. The Ohio State University Robert Biersner, J.D., Ph.D. U.S. Department of Labor Donald Bloswick, Ph.D., P.E., C.P.E. The University of Utah Michael Gauf CTD News Bradley Joseph, Ph.D., C.P.E. Ford Motor Company

Gary Orr, P.E., C.P.E. U.S. Department of Labor Lida Orta-Anes, Ph.D. United Auto Workers David Ridyard, C.P.E., C.I.H., C.S.P. Applied Ergonomics Technology Suzanne Rodgers, Ph.D. Consultant in Ergonomics Scott Schneider, C.I.H. Center to Protect Workers Rights Barbara Silverstein, Ph.D., M.P.H. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

Mention of any company name or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97 117

Copies of this and other NIOSH documents are available from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publications Dissemination 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45226 1998

1 800 35 NIOSH (1 800 356 4674)

Fax number: (513) 533 8573

This publication is also available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling (703) 487 4650. Please ask for PB97 144901 at $25.00.

To receive other information about occupational safety and health problems, call 1 800 35 NIOSH (1 800 356 4674), or visit the NIOSH Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html

THIS PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1997