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Ergonomics Program assists in
reducing workplace injuries
by Cindy
Abole
Public
Relations
Back strains, painful hands and wrists, and inflamed joints. They are
not only symptoms of aging, but they are also symptoms of
workplace injuries. Many are caused by awkward postures, forceful
lifting and pulling or repetitive motions. All are preventable with the
right knowledge, equipment, practice and commitment to maintaining a
safe and productive workplace.
Providing employees with the right tools to work effectively within an
ideal workplace setting is the goal of many employers. MUSC’s
Ergonomics Program helps employees prevent injuries through an
extensive program focused on a workplace assessment, training and
follow up. Having an ergonomic assessment can help employees identify
potential ergonomic problems and promote wellness in the workplace.
As the Lowcountry’s largest employer, MUSC strives to create a safe,
productive and healthy work environment to more than 8,500 hospital and
university employees who support its daily mission of teaching, healing
and service.
“Establishing MUSC’s ergonomics policy was a smart thing to do,” said
Joe Avant, manager of Occupational Safety and Health. “It’s an
investment in our employees and the jobs that they perform, no matter
how specialized.”
Ergonomics is defined as a discipline or science that focuses on the
relationship of an employee and the work environment.
The most common work injuries reported are musculoskeletal, affecting
muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, bones and the circulatory
system. Most workplace injuries are rooted in repeated or excessive
force activity.
Every year, more than 1.8 million U.S. workers report some type
of musculoskeletal disorder. About 600,000 injuries are serious
enough to result in a worker’s loss time due to recovery. It is
estimated to cost consumers up to $20 million in related health care
and rehabilitative costs.
As an effort to support a healthy and safe workplace, MUSC created an
ergonomic program in the late 1990s to document information as well as
to evaluate, educate and train employees in safe work practices and
make recommendations that contribute to a healthy work environment. The
program is sponsored through University Risk Management’s Occupational
Safety and Health.
In August 2005, MUSC leadership provided exclusive support to create
and provide standards to support an environmentally healthy and safe
workplace for students, faculty, patients and visitors to MUSC’s
campus.
Occupational Safety and Health assessor Stacy Haney has conducted
ergonomic assessments in multiple areas of the university and Medical
Center. She’s helped employees make workplace improvements from typical
office settings to specialized areas such as laboratories and clinical
areas.
“MUSC employs people in so many diverse jobs working in different
environments that require different needs,” Haney said. “That requires
a lot of ergonomics knowledge and detail of people’s jobs, their
workplace, and what they do.”
Managers or employees may contact University Risk Management to request
a worksite evaluation. Other factors that may initiate an evaluation
may include:
q following a reported injury resulting from an ergonomic risk
factor;
q worker's compensation;
q physical/occupational therapy request;
q self-report of a potential ergonomic risk factor.
Employees who report musculoskeletal symptoms will automatically
receive a worksite evaluation from employee health services as part of
a physical/occupational treatment plan.
Sometimes the solution can be as easy as adjusting the placement of a
mouse pad or exchanging a chair or stool for one of a proper height or
adjustment, but the results can be extraordinary.
During an assessment, an assessor follows a specific protocol which
examines two types of ergonomic risk factors that may relate to an
employee’s suspected ergonomic issue: engineering and administrative
controls. Engineering controls look at any physical alternatives that
can be introduced or changed within a worksite, such as
changing/redesigning workstations or introducing new tools or
equipment. Administrative controls focus on reducing the frequency of
exposures related to ergonomic issues, such as incorporating rest
therapies or stretching exercises to reduce stress or repetitive
movement.
Following an assessment, a report is submitted to Avant, who submits
the final report to an employee's department manager for recommendation
and action.
Although employers are not required to perform ergonomic assessments
under Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, it is
considered a necessary service, according to Avant.
“So many people have benefited from this service and its results since
the time we’ve helped manage it,” Avant said. “It’s important that MUSC
employees know how much they’re valued for themselves and their daily
contributions. As an academic medical center, it’s also important that
we find ways to keep our employees healthy. It’s just the right thing
to do.”
Common workplace
complaints/symptoms
- Headaches, eyestrain (dry or sore eyes), back pain or
fatigue, neck stiffness or soreness, thumb, wrist or hand pain,
shoulder stiffness or soreness, elbow pain or soreness, knee pain or
discomfort, hips or back pain
- Other warning signs may include burning, cramping,
numbness, swelling, tingling, weakness or fatigue
- The staff at Occupational Safety and Health promotes a safe
work environment by helping people find a way to be safe and
comfortable at work
Friday, Aug. 11, 2006
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updated
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South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at
792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to
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