SCI-100: Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) - Ergonomics

Ergonomics and Working Environment

• Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to people, designing workplaces (tasks, equipment, environment) for safe and efficient worker use.
• Good ergonomic design makes the most efficient use of worker capabilities while ensuring job demands do not exceed those capabilities.

How Ergonomic Injuries Happen

• Overexertion of body from lifting or carrying
• Bodily reaction to stimuli
• Repetitive motion during work
• Working in awkward postures or same postures for long periods
• Localized pressure into the body part
• Prolonged vibration from equipment

Common Ergonomic Symptoms

• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) affect muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons
• Symptoms: discomfort, burning, pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, loss of motion/flexibility, inflammation, throbbing, paralysis

Common Work-Related MSDs

• Most commonly affected areas: back, arms, elbows, shoulders, neck, hands, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, and feet

Ergonomic Control Methods

• Examples of engineering controls: work station design and setup, ergonomically designed tools, ergonomically designed equipment, load weight reduction
• Examples of proper work practices: proper lifting techniques, team lift heavy/bulky/awkward loads, stretch, work rotation, task variety, increase rest breaks
• Examples of PPE: gripping gloves, knee pads, vibration gloves, thermal gloves, lifting straps, shoulder harness, lifting braces

Benefits of an Ergonomic Program

• Towards Employee: provide comfort, reduce fatigue, prevent injuries, increase job satisfaction, decrease boredom, decrease stress
• Towards Employer: reduce worker's compensation costs, increase productivity, minimize errors, maintain product quality, increase profit

OSHAD – COP 14: Manual Handling and Ergonomic

• Employees shall be trained on: procedures to request an ergonomic worksite assessment, how to ensure their worksite is ergonomically correct, early warning signs of an ergonomic injury or illness, procedures for reporting of ergonomic injury or illness

Extreme Temperature

• Protection against heat: engineering controls (air conditioning, ventilation, cooling fans), administrative controls (emergency plan, acclimatization, adequate water, work/rest cycles), PPE (insulated PPE, thermal clothing)
• Health Effects of Heat: uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, memory loss, blue/purple skin

Extreme Temperature (continued)

• Protection against cold: engineering controls (heaters, shield work areas), administrative controls (warm liquids, adjust work schedule, buddy system), PPE (layered clothing, hat or hood, face cover, gloves, insulated and waterproof boots)
• Health Effects of Cold: hypothermia (body temperature drops ≤95F), frostbite (exposed to ≤0F air)

OSHAD – COP 11: Safety in the Heat

• Employees shall be aware of: training on the hazards of working in heat, importance of maintaining good hydration and eating a well-balanced diet

Common Fall Hazards

• Overhead Platforms
• Overhead Runways
• Elevated Work Stations
• Floor Openings/Pits
• Wall Openings
• Shelving Units
• Stationary Storage Tanks
• Tanker Trucks
• Industrial Production Units

Fall Hazard Controls

• Hierarchy of Fall Hazard Control: eliminate the fall hazard, prevent the fall, control the fall
• Examples of fall hazard controls: handrail/guardrail, safety harness, hole covers

Labour Law and Ministerial Resolutions

• The Labour Law, Federal Law No 8 of 1980 (as amended), consists of 12 clauses, including definitions and general provisions, employment of workers, work contracts, working hours and leave, health and social security, and termination of work contracts.
• Ministerial Resolution No 32 of 1982 concerns methods of preventing employees from being harmed by hazards in the workplace.
• Ministerial Resolution No 37/2 of 1982 sets standards of medical care that an employer must provide for employees.
• Ministerial Resolution No 4/1 of 1981 limits working hours in hazardous industries.
• Ministerial Resolution No 5/1 of 1981 prohibits minors from working in defined hazardous industries.
• Ministerial Resolution No 6/1 of 1981 prohibits women from working in defined hazardous industries.

Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health (OSHAD)

• OSHAD aims to ensure the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment, Health, and Safety Management System.
• OSHAD supervises the implementation of OSHAD SF by government departments, sectors, and individual entities.
• OSHAD investigates occupational health and safety incidents, conducts audits and inspections.

Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System Framework (OSHAD SF)

• OSHAD SF aims to control risks and incidents, improve occupational health, provide innovative workplaces, and develop human resources.
• OSHAD SF objectives include minimizing medical treatment costs and absenteeism, increasing productivity, and enhancing employer reputation.

OSHAD Implementations

• The sectors regulatory authorities are delegated by the competent authority according to Degree No. (42) for 2009.
• There are ten sectors regulatory authorities, including industry, building, energy, transport, tourism, health, education, food, waste, and commercial activities.

OSHAD-SF Systems

• OSHAD-SF Systems consist of mandatory and non-mandatory requirements, including a manual, glossary of terms, standards and guidelines, and technical guidance documents.
• Entities are required to develop an OSHMS that incorporates OSHAD-SF elements.

Role of Employer

• Employers are responsible for providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for employees, contractors, and other relevant persons.

Sanctions

• Penalties for breaching labour laws and regulations include imprisonment and fines, up to AED 5,000,000 for repeat offences.