Transcript Aging Workforce and Ergonomics

Ergonomics
Enhanced Ergonomic
• What Works with the Aging Workforce
As our workforce ages, we see an increase in the
musculoskeletal disorders reported in occupational
environments. Despite our best efforts the MSDs frequently
persist.
• Our focus is on proactive ergonomics through
PREVENTION techniques.
Goals/Objectives
• Have an enhanced understanding of the persistent injury.
• Examine some of the facets of the aging workforce.
• Understand ideas for PREVENTION, including
ergonomics & medical management issues, posture,
body mechanics and fitness programs (Ergo Breaks).
What causes the persistent injury?
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Poor Physical Fitness Levels
Older Workforce
Increased Work Load
More Physical Fatigue
More Mental Fatigue
Better Educated on MSDs
Static Work & Home Postures
One Size Fits All - - - Job, Home & Recreational Activities
How to control persistent injuries?
• Apply ergonomics principles to job design (proactive
NOT reactive ergonomics).
• Match the physical demands of the job to the physical
capabilities of the worker like we do in sports activities.
• Educate the worker on their responsibility in ergonomics
principles and self care.
• Understand FATIGUE !
• Grow “Ergo Leaders“
Lack of perception to actual job risks
What Causes Most MSDs?
• Pain and dysfunction are a result of static and/or awkward
postures especially when there is force, repetition or contact
stress involved.
• The tissues most often involved are the nerves, tendons
and/or fascia.
• “An Ergonomic injury is primarily a Nutrient Pathway
Disorder.”
STATIC Muscle Activity
Aging Workforce
Aging Workforce
• In 1972 the average age of the US worker was 28
• In 2007 the average age of the US worker was 46
• Currently their 18.2 million workers are 55 or older
• It is estimated that by 2010 there will be 25.6 million
workers will be 55 or older
Older Population Growth
• 1 in 8 workers are in the 70 to 74 age group
• By 2010 there will likely be a SEVERE LABOR
SHORTAGE as “baby boomers” begin to retire
• Research has shown that there is no relationship
between age and on the job performance
Connective Tissue Changes
• The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning
between bones, changes. With less water content,
the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As
cartilage degenerates arthritis can develop.
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Ligaments, connective tissues between bones,
become less elastic, reducing flexibility. That is for
most people….
How does this effect Ergonomics?
• Older workers are 1/3 less likely than younger
workers to be hurt severely enough to miss work
• BUT Older workers tend to take twice as long to
recover from injuries
• AND Older workers are more likely to die of injuries
than younger workers
– Fatality rate per 100,000 workers:
• 15 for workers 65 and older
• 5 for workers between 25 - 34
Workforce issues for older workers that need to
be addressed FOR EVERYONE
• Hearing - loss (difficulty w/ sound discriminations or speech
especially in noisy environments.)
• Eyesight equity -(diminished depth perception, acuity, glare)
• Strength – loss
• Flexibility – loss (reach range decreased)
• Reflexes - decreased
• Hand-eye coordination – (diminished w/ decreased vision)
• Endurance – decreased (earlier onset of fatigue)
• Stamina – decreased (heat regulation a factor)
• Balance – decreased (secondary to posture changes)
• Sleep patterns – (difficulty adapting to changes in shifts
effects rest)
Simple accommodations help
EVERYONE
• Provide tools and workstations that avoid extremes in motion
or positions
• Larger knobs, switches, dials & Cognitive awareness in
engineering
• Tools & adaptive equipment for lifting, pushing or pulling- well
maintained or powered
Vision and Aging
• Presbyopia (prez-bee-OH-pee-uh) is a slow loss of ability
to see close objects or small print.
• You may not notice any change until after the age of 40.
• People with presbyopia often hold reading materials at
arm’s length.
• Headaches or "tired eyes“ occur while reading or doing
other close work.
Eye Functions
• Ocular motility = frequent eye movement, relaxes
muscles and causes blink
• Focusing = Accommodation more difficult at single
distance
• Problems occur with onset of fatigue of eye muscles and
leads to increased down time and blurred vision = more
errors and decreased productivity. The American Optometric Assoc. 10-7-02
• Cataract victims may work better with White letters on
Black background. Dr. Anshel-The Ergonomic Report 2003
Primary Ergonomic Risk Factors
• Posture – awkward, static positions
• Force - grip, pinch, push / pull, carry
• Repetition - frequency & speed over time
• Contact Stress - focused sustained or suddenly applied with
compressive force
• Vibration - segmental or whole body over time, frequency
and amplitude
Ergonomic Risk Factor Modifiers
Risk of injury depends upon:
– Duration of exposure (how long?)
– Frequency of exposure (how often?)
– Intensity of exposure (how much?)
– Combinations of risk factors
Most injuries are a combination event,
Cumulative Trauma Injuries
Strain Index (SI) Exercise
A semi quantitative job analysis methodology that is
designed to correlate with the risk of developing distal
upper extremity disorders. The index is based on the
interaction of task variables consistent with physiological,
biomechanical and epidemiological principles. The SI
develops a score based six task variables:
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Intensity of exertion
Duration of exertion
Exertions per minute
Hand/wrist position
Speed of work
Duration of task per day
Strain Index (SI) Exercise
SI methodology’s, foundations, limitations and
assumptions:
• Applies only to upper extremities
• Predicts upper extremity morbidity, not disorders
• Designed to predict disorders of muscle-tendon units
and CTS
• Assess jobs, not workers
• Describes exertion demands of a job, not mechanical
compression
• Relies on qualitative estimates
• Differences in task variable ratings should be resolved by
consensus
Strain Index (SI) Exercise
SI goal:
• Evaluate potentially hazardous jobs
• Systemically predict the physical demands of a given
task
• Identification of loss prevention measures that can be
taken to minimize the potential of developing distal
upper extremity and other musculoskeletal disorders
Strain Index (SI) Exercise
SI Components:
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Intensity of exertion
Duration of exertion
Exertions per minute
Hand/wrist position
Speed of work
Duration of task per day
Strain Index Worksheet
Identify Task to be evaluated
Open SI Worksheet
Fatigue
Physiologic impact on Musculoskeletal Disorders
What is REST?
• Relief periods from exertion, movement or employment
activities
• Needed to recover from physical as well as mental work
• It is influenced by work rate, intensity, duration, physical
and/or mental fitness
Ways to get a Rest Break
1. Spontaneous – Just Stop
2. Administrative – Built into work schedule
3. Engineered – Pace of the machine
4. Hidden – Do light duty for a time
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Ergo Breaks = 30 - 180 seconds
What determines productivity?
• The speed of the machine?
OR
• The speed of the worker?
OR
• The Stamina of the worker?
The Stamina of the Worker
Errors (and injuries) increase and productivity decreases
with worker FATIGUE
Fact
• All tissue that has gone to fatigue due to OVER - use can
recover with UNDER - use IF rest is applied in a timely
manner.
• Overuse that is unchecked leads to micro tears at the
cellular level that can be extended by behavior,
carelessness and inadequate recovery time.
Ergonomics Injury
What happens to an injured worker?
Disc Circulation
Loading and unloading promotes circulation
Circulation and DYNAMIC WORK
Circulation and STATIC WORK
Static work increases pressure inside the muscle, along
with the mechanical compression occludes blood
circulation partially or totally. End product is hampered
delivery of nutrients & oxygen leading to fatigue.
Also neurological signs over time. ILO Encyclopedia Drawing
Nutrient Pathway Obstruction Triggers
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Poor equipment
Poor work habits
Unsafe work environments
Poor work station/task design
Stressful work environment
Home issues overflow
Sustain Nutrient Pathway Obstruction
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Poor Posture habits & situations
High Repetitive Tasks
Heavy or Sustained Forces
Recurrent Contact Stress or Direct Pressure
Prolonged Vibration
Pathology / questionable health habits (tobacco use)
Poor Conditioning / Obesity
Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention
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Ergonomic and Medical Management Issues
Posture
Body Mechanics
Fitness Programs
Ergo Breaks
Posture Awareness
Posture Awareness - Buys Time
Recommended Work or “Power Zones”
Posture Unawareness – Loses Time
Leverage is Everything
Increasing the distance between the hand and Center of Gravity
increases the stresses at fulcrum on the force generating tissues
(low back) N = .22 pounds
Where are the tense muscles?
Summary
• Fatigue is the limiting factor in productivity
• Taking care of the needs of older workers helps ALL
workers maintain a healthy body
• Nutrient Pathway is managed by controlling the Primary
Risk Factors.
• Ergonomics and Ergo Equipment “buy” time before
fatigue sets in.
• Job Analysis will help find recurrent problem work areas
• Ergo Leaders must be proactive at all levels.
Ergo breaks – Take them
Ergonomic Goals/Objectives
• Have an enhanced understanding of the persistent injury.
• Examine some of the facets of the aging workforce.
• Understand ideas for PREVENTION, including
ergonomics & medical management issues, posture,
body mechanics and fitness programs (Ergo Breaks).
This Presentation was developed by:
Jim Hedrick
VP – Loss Control Consultant
Arthur J. Gallagher – BSD
Cincinnati, OH