Ergonomia

Ergonomics Program

PURPOSE

The purpose of this program is to inform employees and other interested parties of the risks associated with workplace ergonomic hazards, and to develop affected individuals abilities to recognize and control their exposure to ergonomic hazards in the workplace.

When aspects of work or the workplace challenge or stress the human body beyond its capabilities,affected employees can develop problems such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s).

• O/E (overexertion injury)
• RSIs (repetitive stress or repetitive strain injuries)
• ASTDs (activity-related soft tissue disorders)
• CTDs (cumulative trauma disorders)

Whatever name is used, these injuries belong to a group of sprain and strain injuries that can affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments,joints, cartilage, blood vessels, or spinal discs in the body. MSD’s do not include injuries resulting from slips, trips, falls, cuts, motor vehicle accidents, or similar accidents; however, a close look at the causes of these acute injuries often reveals design problems that can be corrected.

GOAL

Memphis Compress Company intends to provide all workers with a healthy and safe workplace. Aproactive ergonomics program is integrated into our company’s written Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene program. Records will be maintained documenting the identification, assessment, and control of worker exposure to ergonomics risk factors, in accordance with OSHA regulations.

The ergonomics program is the responsibility of management, supervisors, and the Safety Specialist.Collectively they will coordinate the review of workplace activities, implementation of control methods, and continual monitoring of affected groups and control methods to ensure the success of this program.

ERGONOMICS PROGRAM

A proactive approach focuses on making changes when risks have already been identified, as well as incorporating ergonomics into the:

• Design phase of a new facility orprocess
• Purchase of new equipment or tools
• Evaluating the effects of changes in work habits

Memphis Compress Company has an ergonomics program that includes the following components.

A. Management leadership

The management of Memphis Compress Company is committed to an ergonomics program. Management will support an effective MSD reporting system, and will respond promptly to reportsof MSD. Management will communicate regularly with workers about the program.

B. Worker participation

Workers are an essential element for the success of the ergonomics program. They will be solicited for input and assistance with identifying ergonomics risk factors, conducting worksite evaluations, developing and implementing controls, and training.

C. Identification of problem jobsMemphis Compress Company will use both passive and active monitoring to identify problem jobs. Passive monitoring can include a records review, which looks at existing data such as incident reports, workers’ compensation claims, and absentee records. Active monitoring uses observations, interviews, surveys, questionnaires, checklists, and formal worksite evaluation tools to identify specifichigh-risk activities.

D. Worksite evaluations

1. Triggers for a worksite evaluation include the following:
a) When a worker reports an MSD sign or symptom

b) The identification of jobs, processes, or work activities where work-related ergonomics risk factors may cause or aggravate MSD’s

c) Any change of jobs, tasks, equipment, tools, processes, scheduling, or work-shift hours (forexample, going from a traditional five-day, eight-hour shift to a six-day, ten-hour shift)

d) When a safety walk-through or scheduled inspection or survey has uncovered potential MSD risks

2. Work-related risk factors to be considered in the evaluation process include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Physical risk factors, including force, awkward and static postures, static...