5.4 Ergonomics Safety and Health Program

These instructions provide information about how to create an ergonomics safety and health program that will help prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace.

5.4.1 Introduction

Ergonomics is an effort to identify characteristics that will allow people to work safely and effectively with tools, with equipment, and in their work area. Employees who engage in tasks with repetitive motions can develop musculoskeletal disorders.

The ergonomics safety and health program will help identify potential problems in work methods and processes. Once potential problems are identified, corrective action should be taken. The program should include:

• Management support

• Work-site analysis

• Hazard prevention and control

• Medical management

• Training

The following activities should also be a part of the program:

• Reporting and reviewing injury and illness records

• Analyzing workers’ compensation claims

• Observing work methods and processes

• Questioning employees

• Identifying jobs with potential ergonomic risk factors

• Taking corrective action

Managers and supervisors of Church facilities with exposure to ergonomic hazards should implement an ergonomic program as outlined in these instructions.

Employee Involvement

Managers and supervisors should encourage employees to:

• Report hazards, concerns, or suggestions to management without fear of reprisal.

• Promptly and accurately report signs and symptoms of MSDs so they can be evaluated and treated. Management should designate a physician to conduct evaluations.

• Participate in the safety and health committee to help formulate, evaluate, and test potential solutions.

Program Review and Evaluation

Managers and supervisors should:

• Review the program regularly.

• Prepare written progress reports and program updates.

5.4.2 Program Elements

The following are essential elements of an effective ergonomics safety and health program.

Management Support

Manager and supervisor support is important for reducing MSDs and communicating support to employees. Management support improves the ability to maintain a sustained effort—by allocating needed resources—and follow up on implementation.

Work-Site Analysis

Managers and supervisors should initiate a work-site analysis to identify hazards. The following activities are part of a work-site analysis:

• Managers and supervisors should review first-aid records, injury records, and incident reports to identify MSD trends.

• The safety and health committee should (1) identify work positions requiring a detailed analysis of ergonomic hazards, (2) conduct surveys regularly or when operations change, and (3) identify positions with low-risk factors for restricted-duty work activity.

• Qualified people may be asked to identify and analyze jobs for ergonomic stress and to recommend solutions.

Hazard Prevention and Control

Ergonomic hazards can be reduced by designing effective workstations, tools, and functions. Managers and supervisors should establish an ergonomics pilot program to evaluate and test potential solutions. Measures successfully tested in the pilot program should be implemented throughout the facility. Consider the following controls for the pilot program:

• Change workstations, work methods, and tools to help eliminate excessive exertion and awkward postures and to reduce MSDs. This could include:

  • Installing adjustable workstations.

  • Changing work methods to reduce static, extreme, and awkward postures; repetitive motions; and excessive force.

  • Designing effective tools and handles.

• Develop a culture in which proper work techniques, employee conditioning, regular feedback, maintenance, adjustments and modifications, and enforcement are all important components. Proper work techniques may include:

  • Correct lifting.

  • Use and maintenance of appropriate tools and equipment.

  • Conditioning or break-in periods for new or returning employees.

• Reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of conditions or actions that cause MDSs.

Medical Management

Managers and supervisors should designate a physician or other health professionals to help identify and treat MSDs. The medical management program should address the following items:

• Keeping records of injuries and illnesses

• Recognizing and reporting problems

• Creating a system for evaluating and referring for treatment

• Employing conservative and accepted treatment

• Returning employees to work with restricted work duties

• Monitoring treated employees

Training

Train supervisors and employees about controlling ergonomic hazards.

Those who receive initial training should include affected employees, engineers and maintenance personnel, management, and healthcare providers. Affected employees should receive general and job-specific training.

The program should be taught by qualified people. Provide ongoing training for new employees, employees who are reassigned, and all employees when new operations are introduced.