Workshop on Workplace Ergonomics

Program Overview:

Ergonomics – often described as fitting a job to a person – is the science that looks at how people interact with their work environment, and seeks to optimize their health and productivity. It involves designing workstations, work processes, equipment and tools to fit the employee. It is important for workers to know how to adjust their office workstations to suit their individual needs. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves and tendons. Work related MSDs (including those of the neck, upper extremities and low back) are one of the leading causes of lost or restricted work time. However, they can be prevented and therefor the associated cost with it can be substantially reduced. This course aims to raise awareness of ergonomic issues in the workplace.  It teaches participants how to reduce ergonomic risks through proper technique at work and at home, including learning how to apply simple techniques to enhance the ergonomics of workstations.

For Whom:

This course is designed for managers and officers who are in charge of administering employees’ wellbeing and individuals who are interested in gaining adequate information on proper work behaviours.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• identify the sources of harmful acts;
• explain how safety is everybody’s responsibility;
• prepare a job safety analysis and give job safety instructions;
• minimize overload of the spine, other joints and muscles;
• ensure optimal posture and health in your workplace;
• advice on chair set-up and suitability;
• recommend on additional equipment to assist your organization to carry-out your job more efficiently; and
• apply learnt skills to reduce avoidable pains and injuries in the workplace.

Course Outline:

Day 1: Module 1: Introduction to Ergonomics

• Definition of Ergonomics, Ergonomics in the Workplace
• Ergonomics and Health and Safety, Economics of Ergonomics
• Module 2: Human Body Associated with Physical Work Characteristics
• Muscle, Tendon, Peripheral Nerve, Spinal Disc, Joints
• Other Body Systems: Vascular, Metabolic and Temperature Regulation,
• Hearing, Sight, Mechanism of Injury
• Module 3: Ergonomics Risk Factors
• Risk Factors, Multifactorial Nature of MSDs
• Identification / Documentation of Risk Factors, Passive / Active Surveillance
• Tools: Checklists and Surveys

Day 2: Module 4: Anthropometry:

• Posture, and the Ergonomics Upper Extremity Intensive Tasks
• Tools: Posture Evaluation / Upper Extremity
• Module 5: Ergonomics of Lifting / Lowering Tasks
• Muscle Strength and Biomechanics
• Mechanism of Injury, Moment Concepts, Psychophysics
• Tools: 2D Model, Liberty Mutual Tables, NIOSH
• Module 6: Ergonomics of Push / Pull / Carry Tasks
• Pushing / Pulling Tasks, Carrying Tasks, Tools: Push / Pull/ Carry Tasks

Day 3: Module 7: Ergonomics of Heavy Physical Activity

• Metabolic Concepts, Evaluation Methods
• Module 8: Controls and Displays
• Man / Machine Interaction, Control and

Display Guidelines

• Module 9: Ergonomic Standards and Guidelines
• Organizations that Write Standards and

Guideline Documents

Day 4: Module 10: Occupational Safety and Health Act

• Hand-Arm (Segmental) Vibration, Whole-Body

Vibration, Heat Stress, Noise

• Module 11: Health and Safety Program Management for:
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders and other Ergonomic

Hazard-Induced Disorders

• Module 12: Ergonomic Consideration:
• The Design, Installation, and Use of Manufacturing

Systems, Video Display

Day 5: Module 13: Prevention and Control of Ergonomic

Risk Conditions

• Engineering Controls: Case Studies and

Product Solutions

• Module 14: Administrative Controls
• Personal Protective Equipment, Medical Management,

Training and Education

• Module 15: Office Ergonomics
• Posture, Standards and Guidelines, VDT Checklists,

Controls and Solutions

Training Methodology

Lectures, discussions, exercises, case studies, audio-visual aids will be used to reinforce these teaching/learning methods.