Workshop Topics and Objectives:

Introduction to Ergonomics

• Definitions and the language of ergonomics
• Metrics for successful programs
• Examples of successful programs
• Making a business case for ergonomics
• The process of risk investigation
• Review of support material: books, periodicals, references, tools, etc.

Establishing and Implementing an Ergonomics Program

• Policy, methods and procedures to establish programs including establishing the ergonomic committee
• Hazard assessment, engineering and administrative control, training and medical management
• Symptom and Comfort Level Surveys
• Pitfalls to avoid, metrics for success
• Strategies for implementation

Ergonomic Evaluation Strategy

• The Action Plan
• When, how and what to evaluate
• Boiler Plates
• Initial meetings
• Metrics for prioritizing: time and money
• Protocols: when and how
• Limits of capability
• Liability and insurance
• Reporting: when, who, what
• Rating success
• Introduction to Job Analysis Tools - Evaluation Forms
  
  • ANSI Z-365
  • NIOSH Lift Equation Forms
  • OSHA Forms
  • Washington State Checklist
• Class evaluation of videos
• The Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist Certification Process
• Ergo-Lean Operations: where efficiency and work design meet

Identification and Measurement of Risk Factors and Their Severity

• Physical: forceful exertions, posture, contact stress, repetition, rest, etc.
• Environmental: vibration, temperature, light, noise, micro-shock, etc.
• Psycho-Physical and Psycho-Social
• Work Organization
• Quantifying Risk Factors
• Establishing Cycle Times
• Measurement Tools for risk factor assessment
• Class Project using the ANSI-Z365
• Controls for Upper and lower Extremities Risk Factors

Ergonomic assessment tools

• Washington State Hazard Zone
• Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
• Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
• ANSI Z-365
• Hal/Borg
• Strain Index

Risk analysis tools

• NIOSH Lifting Formula
• Washington State Lifting Index
• Liberty Mutual Snook/Ciriello Tables D.1 - D.4
• Liberty Mutual Snook/Ciriello Tables D.5 - D.8
• Anthropometrics in Engineering Design for Postural Interface
• Postural design rules for person-machine interface
• Postural design for population using the link figures
• Postural design for population using tables
• Posture for the office, especially VDT work
• Postural design for workstations with forceful exertions
• Postural design for workstations requiring fine work
• Class projects in postural design

Designing the Office Environment

• Considerations of the office interface
• Seating and seat design
• Reach zones
• VDT interface
• Office layout and design
• Reach patterns
• Storage considerations
• Environment: lighting, noise, etc.
• Keyboards, laptops and mice
• Aging needs in the office Environment

Power and Manual Tools Design and Use

• Forceful exertion considerations
• Controls for hand tools
  
  • Design of grip
  • Design of trigger
  • Design for vibration
• Workstation design and layout
• Environmental considerations

Anthropometrics in design

• Office environment
• Industrial environment
• Special populations: aging, pregnant, obese
• Design project using all tools