Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management ERGONOMICS PROGRAM 1.0 PURPOSE The Indiana University (IU) Ergonomics Program is to: 1.1 Provide employees information on ways to avoid repetitive stress injuries or musculoskeletal disorders caused by improper lifting and working techniques 1.2 Reduce the number of work-related injuries due to repetitive stress actions and improper lifting and working techniques 2.0
REGULATORY REFERENCE Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Act (IOSHA) General Duty Clause, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Section 5:
Note: IOSHA has not yet implemented an ergonomic regulation, but has cited employers under the general duty clause. IOSHA has proposed a rule covering workplace ergonomics (Federal Register 65:4795-4797; IOSHA 29 CFR 1910.900, November 2000) and has published numerous guidelines for workplace ergonomics. 3.0 SCOPE The Indiana University Ergonomics Program is at this point not mandatory. It is intended to apply to all employees and all jobs and tasks. The Workplace Ergonomics Program is intended to optimize employee well being by matching employee work practices and capabilities with workstation and tool design. 4.0 ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM 4.1 Ergonomic Evaluations An effective ergonomics program takes into account basic human physiology. The physiological goal is to understand how the human body ideally performs each work task with the least stress and discomfort to the worker. This process is also called Human Factors Engineering. A goal of ergonomics is to use human physiology to design workstations, equipment and tools to most readily be used by humans. Another is to fit employees to the tools/workstations and to the tasks to be performed. The best fit between the employee, the equipment, and the job to be done is the ultimate goal of ergonomics. Rarely is there a perfect match between employee, job assignment, and tools/workstations to be used. The purpose of the ergonomic evaluation is to identify mismatches in this triangle, and recommend ways to improve the match.
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Ergonomic evaluations are performed by the ergonomics specialist within the Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management (EHS). At the request of the employee or his/her supervisor, this evaluation is performed at no cost to the requesting department or individual. The evaluation is performed with the employee, the workstation, and the employee performing the job in question. Recommendations are made about employee postures and work habits, equipment set ups, and equipment adequacy. The importance of neutral posture, practicing stretching exercises, and taking work breaks is emphasized. If ergonomic equipment is needed, the ergonomics specialist is prepared to make recommendations. A report of observations and recommendations is prepared for each person having an ergonomic evaluation. 4.2 Implementation of Recommendations of the Ergonomic Evaluation Per the IOSHA General Duty Clause, the employer, i.e., Indiana University has a responsibility to provide employees with a workplace free of recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause serious physical harm or death to the employees. For the area of ergonomics, this has been interpreted to mean that the employer must assure that the employee’s job does not directly cause repetitive stress injuries (also known as cumulative trauma disorders). This can be accomplished in many ways, including: 4.2.1 Reducing work periods (particularly for heavy lifting or very repetitive work) 4.2.2 Decreasing the weight of materials lifted 4.2.3 Providing equipment with better ergonomic features 4.2.4 Training employees in proper ergonomic postures and practices 4.2.5 Encouraging employees to do stretching exercises appropriate to the job Appendix B includes specific procedures for workstation configurations, for workers achieving ergonomically neutral posture, and for stretching exercises. Appendix C includes a link to an online work break and stretch exercise program. 5.0 ADMINISTRATION/COMPLIANCE/RESPONSIBILITIES The Ergonomics Program is administered by the Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management. If the employee is being treated medically for an ergonomic-related injury, the Indiana University Office of Risk Management will address the worker’s compensation issues. Responsibilities for compliance are assumed, based on IOSHA’s citations via the General Duty Clause. Department heads, managers and supervisors have, at the least, the responsibility to ensure that employees are not expected to work in a manner likely to cause repetitive stress injuries. Insofar as is feasible, employees should be provided with equipment, tools, and workstations with ergonomically sound design and that are appropriate to the employee and the job. Department heads, managers and supervisors should encourage all employees to participate in an ergonomic evaluation and to ensure employees follow the recommendations from the evaluation.
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Employees, who are experiencing pain or discomfort due to the repetitive nature of their jobs, have the responsibility of notifying their supervisors to this effect. The employee or the supervisor may request an ergonomic evaluation. Once the ergonomic evaluation is done, the employee has the responsibility of following the recommendations of the evaluation. If the employee chooses to ignore the recommendations of the evaluation, and a repetitive stress injury occurs, worker’s compensation coverage may be denied. 6.0 TRAINING AND RECORDKEEPING Training is provided by the EHS Ergonomics Specialist, either with an individual employee as a part of the ergonomics evaluation, or in a small class setting. Training includes an understanding of physiologic issues leading to repetitive stress injuries and ways to avoid those injuries. Training records are maintained in the EHS training database. A copy of each evaluation is provided to the employee and also kept by EHS.
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A chronic injury caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Cumulative Trauma Disorders: Physical injuries caused by repeatedly performing a task in a manner that is physiologically stressful. The negative effects of the action accumulate until pain and injury to tissues occur; repetitive stress disorders. Engineering Psychology: A study of the psychological relationships of people to machines with the intent of making the machines or job more “user friendly”. Ergonomics: The science concerned with the “fit” between people and their work. It takes into account the worker’s capabilities and limitations in seeking to ensure tasks, equipment, and that the environment suits each worker. Human Factors Engineering: The consideration of human physiology and psychology in the design of equipment. Repetitive Stress Injuries: Chronic injuries thought to be caused by performing the same task repeatedly in a non-ergonomic manner.
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management APPENDIX B: SPECIFIC PROCEDURES Appendix B1: Ergonomic Evaluation Checklist for Computer Workstations WORKING POSTURES - The workstation is designed or arranged for doing computer tasks so it allows your: • Head & neck – upright, in line with the torso (not bent down / back) • Head, neck & trunk - to face forward (not twisted) • Trunk - to be perpendicular to floor (may lean into backrest, but not forward) • Shoulders & upper arms - to be in-line with the torso, generally about perpendicular to the floor and relaxed (not elevated or stretched forward) • Upper arms & elbows - to be close to the body (not extended outward) • Forearms, wrists & hands - to be straight and in-line (forearm about 90o to upper arm • Wrists & Hands - to be straight (not bent up/down or sideways • Thighs - parallel to floor and lower legs to be perpendicular to floor (thighs may be slightly elevated above knees) • Feet rest flat on the floor or are supported by a stable footrest
Y
N
SEATING - Consider these points when evaluating the chair: • Backrest - provides support for your lower back (lumbar area) • Seat width & depth - accommodates the specific user (seat pan not too big/small) • Seat front - does not press against the back of knees and lower legs • Seat - has cushioning and is rounded with a “waterfall” front (no sharp edge) • Armrests - if used, support both forearms for performing computer tasks, and do not interfere with movement “No” answers to any of these should prompt a review of the chair
Y
N
KEYBOARD / INPUT DEVICE - Consider these points when evaluating the keyboard or pointing device. The keyboard/input device is designed or arranged for doing computer tasks so the: • Keyboard platform - is stable and large enough to hold a keyboard and mouse or other input device • Mouse or trackball (input device) - is located next to keyboard to allow use without stretching • Mouse or trackball (input device) - is easy to activate and the shape/size fits the hand • Wrists & hands do not rest on sharp or hard edges “No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of keyboards, input devices and wrist rests
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management MONITOR - Consider these points when evaluating the monitor. The monitor is designed or arranged for computer tasks so: • Top of Screen - is slightly above eye level for reading without bending neck • User with bifocals/trifocals - can read screen without bending neck • Monitor distance - accommodates reading the screen without bending the neck back • Monitor position - is directly in front so there is no twisting of neck • Glare - from windows or lights is not reflected onto the screen “No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of monitor and workstation environment
Y
N
WORK AREA - Consider these points when evaluating the desk and workstation. The work area should be designed or arranged for doing computer tasks so: • Thighs - have sufficient clearance space between the thighs and keyboard tray (thighs are not trapped) • Legs & feet - have sufficient room under the work surface to accommodate getting close to keyboard
Y
N
ACCESSORIES - Check to see • Document holder - if provided, is stable and large enough to hold documents • Document holder - is placed at about the same height and distance as the monitor screen to minimize head movement and need to refocus • Wrist / palm rest - is padded and free of sharp or square edges • Wrist / palm rest - keeps forearms, wrists, and hands straight and in-line when using the keyboard • Telephone - can be used with head upright (not tilted), shoulders relaxed if doing computer tasks at same time “No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of work surfaces, document holders, wrist rests, and telephones
Y
N
GENERAL • Workstation & equipment - have sufficient adjustability to allow occasional changes in posture • Workstation, components & accessories - are maintained in serviceable condition and function properly • Computer tasks - are organized so that they can be varied with other work “No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of chairs, work surfaces, and work processes Notes:
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Appendix B2: Indiana University-Bloomington Ergonomic Evaluation Form
Ergonomic Evaluation Report Form Name:
Date:
Email:
Phone:
Dept.
Phone:
Campus Address: Job Description: Supervisor’s Name & Contact Info: Evaluator’s Signature:
1.
Reason for assessment: a. Preventive b. Discomfort c. Medical Condition
2.
Describe discomfort & affected body parts:
3.
Does a diagnosed medical condition exist? If yes, define / describe. Provide name of M.D.
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management 4.
Describe employee work posture and habits: a. Back b. Head, neck c. Hips, legs, feet d. Arms e. Wrists, hands
5.
Describe workstation at beginning of assessment: a. Chair i. Fit, adjustability ii. Height iii. Armrest position b. Keyboard tray i. Adjustable? ii. Properly adjusted? iii. Wrist pads? Accommodates mouse? c. Monitor i. Height ii. Distance from employee iii. Glare? iv. Tilt? d. Work Surface i. Height ii. Utility iii. Equipment arrangement
6.
Workstation adjustments made:
7.
Equipment recommendations:
8.
Employee work practice recommendations:
9.
Employee’s outside activities discussed?
10. Stretch breaks discussed? Ergonomic Software
www.iuware.iu.edu / department_sponsored / UITS / Workrave
11. Comments:
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Appendix B3: Proper Posture and Workstation Configuration for Computer Use
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Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management APPENDIX C: FORMS, LINKS TO FORMS, (if applicable) Workrave Ergonomic Software: Stretch Exercises and Breaks Program: www.iuware.iu.edu, search for “Workrave” APPENDIX D: ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RELATED PROGRAMS, (if applicable) Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, January 1994, PB94-176930
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