The requirements of an ergonomics program

The requirements of an ergonomics program

The requirements of an ergonomics program include the following elements. First is employee participation and management leadership which is vital for the success of an ergonomics program. The employees are shown the significance of ergonomics in their work environment. The reports to implement ergonomics program depends on the employee. Employees should report any noted hazards and even the related conditions of the musculoskeletal system associated with equipment used for a long time when working or doing operational activities. Then the job is analyzed to identify the hazards and control (Straub, 2017). Training the employees is also necessary to be aware of the work associated risks like for Myah in our case. Evaluation is also necessary to know if the program is successful and helping the employees. The history of OSHA in the contribution to ergonomics is a lot but I will highlight the key issues in the history of OSHA. November 2000 an ergonomic standard was promulgated by OSHA and it was involving the control programs in job categories for the employees in case the related work musculoskeletal disorders. Back in 1996, OSHA had developed a formula for addressing ergonomics using the program that was based on four issues and was taking more time; they include education, outreach activities and training (Maxwell, 2017). Enhancing rules could make it better to reduce hazards related to working conditions to reduce the incidences of MSDs. The ergonomics program monitored by OSHA benefits the employees from being exploited by no regulations and exposure to hazards related to ergonomics. When the employees are well educated and trained can easily report the issues when detected so that it is managed the early stages before it progresses. The ergonomic program is good for the employees as well as the business in aiding in increased protection and attracting people.

Part 2

Purpose and worksite analysis

In our case, Myah starts by experiencing pain in her wrists and hands. Still, she is a new employee and she doesn’t say anything she experiences regarding the symptoms. After nine months the hand cannot function well and therefore go to see a doctor. Even here the ergonomic program should be put in places like this to increase the awareness of the employees in reporting any issues they develop when at the workplace. When developing an ergonomic program the first thing is stating the purpose for example to reduce the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders related to work especially the upper extremities, the back, and lower extremities. The program needs varied strategies combined together, for example, informing the employees on the musculoskeletal disorders as well as the risk factors aggravating the disorders. The workplace needs a continuous ergonomic protection (Chapman, 2019). You should find the designs that can help in reducing the exposure to the risk factors. Innovation and technological advancements in the operations could also assist to aid in ergonomic protection. We will also ensure that before implementing the ergonomic program the leadership of the organization has set it a priority and needs to implement it. In this case already the company managers have decided they need to implement this and it will be much easier in funding the project. The employees should also participate as they are the source of the information in this program. In the class case Myah took a lot of time to realize that the pain in the hands could progress to cause malfunctioning. Therefore their involvement is vital to know all the corners to be touched by the program. Furthermore the health care committee for example the providers, safety committee and supervisors of ergonomic program intends to monitor the program.

During the program some of the activities to be performed include: the assistant of program manager and consultant or supervisor performing a hazard analysis in the area they take care of and the risk factors should be established. The employee questionnaire and ergonomic checklist are used to get the information from the employees and recorded. On various occasions or intervals based on the decision the risk factors are evaluated. Reviewing the OSHA log helps determine if any musculoskeletal disorders have occurred within the organization for the past two years. The results can be used for further analysis in that if any condition has occurred the information for the risk factors that might have caused that are evaluated (Morejon, Wadeson, White, Zhang & Kaber, 2018). The risk factors being investigated include performance of similar motions in a given pattern and for how long for example typing. The frequency and time taken per shift must be determined and if the performance of the task is sporadic or continuous. Is there shifts with the other workers during the shift or the individual operates for the full required time of the shift. The postures during the operation is related to musculoskeletal problems for example bent wrist and tent back. Are the movements of the employee restricted or not?

Control actions

The next thing is determining the roots and causes of the related musculoskeletal disorders, analyzing the issues and take control actions.in order to eliminate the hazards some of the things to do include ensuring engineering controls are designed by the qualified ergonomist for example changing the method of working and also redesigning the work station, handle redesign and tool. The objective is to ensure job fitness of the employee. Proper work techniques should be adopted and the conditioning for the employees improved (Straub, 2017). The administration should also evaluate the frequency, duration and exposure to ergonomic stress plus the severity. (PPE) personal protective equipment are appropriate and should be used especially of the employees are not adequately trained and reducing the incidences of ergonomic injuries is the only solution as they are reluctant to embrace the change.

Employee involvement and training

Training on awareness of ergonomics is important in managing the disorders and early identification. The employees need to know that it is their life they are protecting. The symptoms and early signs issues related to ergonomic are explained to both the employees and the supervisors. A qualified health provider is responsible for such a training and therefore the organization needs to organize for that as well.

Medical management

A program for medical management is also established and is monitored by a qualified health professional. The health care team are aware of prevention measures, evaluation and early recognition as well as the record keeping requirements of OSHA. The healthcare providers evaluate the organization occasionally at intervals to observe any changing conditions. The health care professionals also compile a list of duties that are light and can be performed by the employees having problems or are at risk.

Evaluation of the program

The program manager therefore evaluates the program of ergonomic protection. It is also evaluated by the safety committee to assess, identify and reduce the ergonomic hazards at workplace. The findings are directly reported to the CEO.