If the employer is supportive, evaluators could suggest that they include job rotation as one of the solutions. Perhaps this employee could spend part of her day in quality assurance, Conclusion Ergonomic programs are very important both to reduce the number and severity of injuries to employees and patients, but also to reduce costs, both direct and indirect, for employers. Both physical and occupational therapists are uniquely trained to evaluate the cause of musculoskeletal injuries, and therefore, can easily incorporate workplace ergonomics into current treatment programs to provide long-term benefit to their patients. This can be done with or without the support of an employer by simulating work conditions in the PT or OT clinic. However, the best results are obtained when there is support References 1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2014). Prevention of work- related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp. show_document?p_table=UNIFIED_AGENDA&p_id=4481 2. WISHA Services Division. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. (02/2002). Office Ergonomics- Practical Solutions for a Safer Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.lni. wa.gov/IPUB/417-133-000.pdf 3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2002). Job Hazard Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.html 4. Yale Environmental Health and Safety. Awkward Position. Retrieved from http://www.yale. edu/ergo/awkwardposition.html
cleaning, or performing some other task that will vary how she uses her hands and positions her neck during the day.
from the employer as well as buy in from the employee. The employer can purchase appropriate equipment, support and/ or mandate job rotation and exercise/ rest breaks as well as allow repositioning and adjustments of current equipment. The employee’s responsibility is to follow through with training for job modifications, report injuries early, and to complete exercise programs. If the evaluations are done in a systematic manner, by making sure that a complete job hazard analysis is done, all risk factors have been evaluated, and recommendations are made to reduce all possible risks, all involved will benefit.
5. Iowa State University Environmental Health and Safety. Contact Stress. Retrieved from http://www.ehs.iastate.edu/occupational/ergonomics/contact-stress 6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Ergonomics E-tool. Solutions for Electrical Contractors. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/ materials/heavy.html
7. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Lighting Ergonomics- General. Retrieved from https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lighting_general.html 8. Occupational Safety and Health. (February, 2015). Vibration Hazards in the Workplace: The Basics of Risk Assessment. Retrieved from https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2015/02/02/ Vibration-Hazards.aspx?m=2&Page=3 REDUCING AND ELIMINATING WORKPLACE INJURIES THROUGH ERGONOMICS Final Examination Questions Select the best answer for each question and mark your answers on the Final Examination Answer Sheet found on page 222, or complete your test online at EliteLearning.com/Book 1. Estimates indicate that employers spend as much as _________ a year on direct costs of musculoskeletal disorder-related workers’ compensation cases. 6. Insufficient lighting is a risk factor and can cause tripping, falling and inaccuracies; however, TOO much lighting is also a risk factor. Why?
a. $100 billion. b. $100 million.
a. It interferes with the computer screen. b. It produces glare and causes headaches.
c. $20 billion. d. $20 million. 2. The goal for a company implementing an ergonomics plan is typically what? a. Reducing the cost involved with workers’ compensation insurance. b. Reducing the number and severity of injuries. c. Preventing further injuries, and reducing the indirect costs associated with the injuries. d. All of the above. 3. According to OSHA, the following things should be included in a job hazard analysis: a. A review of accident history. b. A list, rank, and set priorities for hazardous jobs. c. An involvement of employees. d. All of the above. 4. What is NOT considered a risk factor? a. Awkward postures. b. Internal or external contact stresses. c. Poor lighting. d. Engaging the core, using the legs and pivoting while lifting. 5. When considering appropriate lighting, evaluators should look for: a. Motion sensors. b. Glare. c. Solar lights. d. None of the above.
c. It causes depression. d. None of the above. 7. To help prevent eye strain, an effective exercise intervention is to: a. Take a nap. b. Cover eyes and then refocus on something at least twenty feet away. Repeat three to five times. c. Wear bifocals. d. Purchase a pair of reading glasses. 8. What is generally the simplest and cheapest intervention for improvement to reduce workplace risks? a. Retraining employees. b. Buying foot rests, anti-fatigue mats to reduce lower extremity fatigue, or anti-vibration gloves. c. Implementing exercise programs. d. Changing the environments or workstations to better fit the employee, such as lower the top of the computer level to eye level. 9. Why does the frequent use of use of tools that vibrate (dental tools, grinders, drills, etc.) present risk factors? a. They can cause pain. b. They irritate muscles from repetitive motions. c. The constant movement causes stress on the tissues and joints by reducing blood flow and affect the nerves. d. None of the above. 10. The _________ __________ are obtained when there is a support of ergonomics from the employer, as well as buy-in from the employee.
a. Best results. b. Rest breaks. c. Injury analyses. d. Equipment modifications.
Course Code: PTGA02WE
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