IOPS 121 Study Unit 9: Ergonomics PDF

STUDY UNIT 9 Ergonomics: An introduction IOPS 121  LEARNING OUTCOMES After completing this study unit you should be able to: Define ergonomics from a systems perspective Discuss the importance and benefits of ergonomics for both the individual and the organisation...

STUDY UNIT 9 Ergonomics: An introduction IOPS 121  LEARNING OUTCOMES After completing this study unit you should be able to: Define ergonomics from a systems perspective Discuss the importance and benefits of ergonomics for both the individual and the organisation Identify various physical risk factors in the work environment Contextualise boredom fatigue, monotony, sedentary work and occupational stress as risk factors at work Outline the process of implementing and ergonomics programme within an organisation Ergonomics defined The scientific study and understanding of human interactions with other components of a workplace or system. The scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall performance. Domains of ergonomics Elements of work that relate to physical Physical activity. Affected by working postures, repetitive ergonomics motions and environmental conditions. Interaction of humans with other Cognitive components of a system. Includes mental processes such as ergonomics perception, memory, information processing (Psychological factors of work) Optimisation of systems by considering the Organisational organizational structures. Includes policies, processes. ergonomics Aims to optimize the interaction with technical aspects of work. Importance of ergonomics Ergonomics goes beyond ensuring a comfortable chair but applies to the physical and organizational environment and the nature of work. Injuries related to poor workplace ergonomics: Lower back, neck and shoulder pain Carpal tunnel syndrome Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) Tendonitis Organisational benefits of ergonomics Ergonomics promotes comfort of employees in the workplace. Can lead to decreased stress, fatigue, reduces work-related errors. Ultimately there is less absenteeism, increased productivity, working efficiently, greater job satisfaction, decreasing employee turnover. Physical risk factors at work Ventilation Posture Temperature and air quality Vision and Noise Vibration lighting Repetitive Force and Work shift work compression Physical risk factors at work Posture: Maintain a neutral posture, where your body has time to rest and recover. The body should be balanced and well aligned, sitting or standing. Temperature: Extremely hot and cold environments can cause harmful effects for workers and decrease performance. Ventilation and air quality: Ensuring good airflow throughout the building a worker is in to reduce mildew, mold and toxic compounds. Noise: Employers need to consider how long and how frequently workers are exposed to prolonged noise exposure to reduce hearing loss Vibration: Ensuring the worker is not exposed to vibration and determining where the vibration might enter the body of the worker Vision and lighting: Balance between what a person can see and the visual demands of the task, vision should not be impeded by glare or reflections. Shift work: Having to complete work when you are awake, but your body would rather be asleep. Repetitive work: Repeating certain motions over and over again. Force and compression: The forces of gravity can influence how a person complete work tasks and can place strain on the persons body. Other risk factors at work Monotonous Occupational Boredom tasks stress Fatigue and Sedentary alertness behaviour Implementing an ergonomics programme Role and benefits of an ergonomics programme: Anticipate, identify, analyse, mitigate and review ergonomic risk factors. Aims to match employee capabilities to the demands of the job. Ergonomic programme creation process Review the history of injuries and report psychological and Identify risk factors psychosocial stress. Identify the specific tasks that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Ensure the participation of employees, they will be able to identify risk Train and involve factors. managers and workers Ergonomic screenings, surveys, job analysis. Collect medical evidence Follow-up on employees that are exposed to unnecessary risk factors Try to remove the hazard completely Implement ergonomic Replace the risk with an improved process programme Ensure the effectiveness of previous steps and that no new risk Evaluate the programme factors have been introduced Those affected by risks need to be able to return to work Promote worker recovery Management and staff need to be committed to the success of an Maintain commitment ergonomic programme. and involvement