Workplace Ergonomics Analysis

Questions and Answers

Human factor analysis is a component of workplace safety design.

True

The weight of the final exam in the course grading distribution is 50%.

False

Only the safety manager is responsible for health and safety in the workplace.

False

OSHA sets permissible limits for exposure to hazardous materials.

True Signup and view all the answers

Risk assessment involves analyzing potential hazards and estimating risk levels.

True Signup and view all the answers

Safety managers primarily focus on chronic effects of hazards.

False Signup and view all the answers

Airborne asbestos is an example of a safety hazard.

False Signup and view all the answers

Industrial hygienists are known for their expertise in health hazards.

True Signup and view all the answers

Identifying health hazards can be challenging due to similarities with common illnesses.

True Signup and view all the answers

The statistics reflect more fatalities from safety hazards compared to health hazards.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Aims

Understand human factor analysis and its implications for safety.
Recognize equipment and occupational safety principles.
Design workplaces that accommodate user needs.
Define ergonomics and its impact on safety culture.
Familiarize with OSHA permissible limits for workplace hazards.
Analyze risk assessment, hazard identification, and risk estimation.
Implement strategies for accident prevention and risk control.

Grade Distribution

Quizzes constitute 20% of the overall grade.
Research project accounts for 10% of the final mark.
Mid-term exam holds a weight of 30%.
Final exam represents 40% of the total assessment.
Overall course total equals 100%.

Responsibility for Health and Safety

Every individual has the right to a safe work environment with controlled health risks.
Worker behavior plays a critical role in maintaining safety but is not sufficient on its own.
A designated safety director or industrial hygienist is typically responsible for setting safety protocols.
The course aims to support safety managers in detecting and addressing workplace hazards.

Safety Versus Health

Safety focuses on immediate hazards (acute effects) such as physical injuries.
Health addresses long-term effects (chronic effects) from prolonged exposure to mild hazards.
Industrial hygienists specialize in health hazards with scientific and technical expertise.
Safety specialists leverage practical job experience rather than advanced scientific tools.
Delayed health fatalities often go unrecorded in statistics, complicating hazard assessment.

Ergonomics

Integrates various disciplines: sociology, psychology, anatomy, physiology, and more.
Aims to improve human health, safety, and performance in the workplace.
Ergonomists contribute to teams with engineers and medical personnel to enhance workplace design and job processes.
Emphasizes injury prevention by addressing ergonomic hazards systematically.

Ergonomic Hazard Management

Implements a triad of recognition, evaluation, and control to identify and mitigate ergonomic risks.
Engineering controls involve redesigning workstations for ergonomic compliance.
Comprehensive training for workers is critical when workplace or equipment changes occur, ensuring documentation of training sessions.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must utilize engineering practices to eliminate or reduce hazards.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when risks cannot be completely removed.
PPE should be a last resort after all other control measures have been explored.

Hearing Protection

Selecting noise protection primarily depends on its effectiveness to reduce decibel exposure.
Worker comfort is crucial; uncomfortable protection leads to non-compliance and increased risk.
Common materials like cotton provide minimal noise protection, whereas Swedish wool offers better attenuation when properly sealed.

Electrical Safety Principles

Human skin acts as an insulator; dry skin can have resistance up to 100,000 ohms.
Moisture drastically reduces skin resistance, increasing the risk of dangerous electrical currents.
Grounding is vital for electrical circuits to function properly; it ensures a complete loop for current flow.

Understanding Wiring Circuits

A typical 110-volt circuit contains hot, neutral, and ground wires.
The hot wire provides power, while the neutral wire completes the electrical circuit.
The ground wire offers safety by preventing electrical shocks and faults.

Description

This quiz covers essential aspects of workplace ergonomics, including body motion, activity frequency, and lifting-related risk factors. Participants will explore the interdisciplinary knowledge required to improve workplace safety and efficiency. Perfect for individuals looking to understand the principles behind ergonomic assessments.