Ergonomics

Overview

Ergonomics (also referred to as human factors) is the applied science of designing tasks, equipment, tools, technology and the work environment to suit the diverse physical, cognitive and emotional capabilities and limitations of the workforce. Ergonomics enriches human and system performance, including health, safety, efficiency, productivity and quality.

The principles of ergonomics aim to prevent occupational injuries by reducing exposure to awkward postures, high force exertions, task repetition, static positions, vibration and other risk factors such as temperature, lighting, noise, fatigue and stress. The Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Guide for Mining is a comprehensive resource for workplaces to learn more about ergonomic risk factors and realistic interventions to address common ergonomic hazards in mining.

Why Ergonomics?

There is strong and consistent evidence that putting controls in place to eliminate or reduce worker exposure to ergonomic hazards promotes the prevention of workplace injuries and worker fatalities. Controlling ergonomic hazards in the workplace also reduces aggravation of pre-existing conditions and increases return to work success.

Worker response to ergonomic risk factors in the workplace is individualized. Certain tasks may injure one worker, while other workers performing the same tasks may not experience injury. Like occupational disease, injuries are often the result of prolonged exposure to physical, cognitive or organizational risk factors over time. As such, it is crucial that all workers understand how to reduce exposure to ergonomic hazards in the workplace and it is important that employers respond to reports of discomfort, fatigue and/or stress in order to reduce the risk of injury.

Proactive injury prevention is less expensive than taking a reactive approach after an injury occurs. One of the best ways to prevent occupational injuries and fatalities is to incorporate prevention through design (PtD) to eliminate ergonomic hazards in the design of work environments, tasks, processes and work scheduling, as well as in the procurement of tools, equipment and technology.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most common type of workplace injury or illness in B.C. Successful implementation of an ergonomics program in the workplace promotes the protection of worker health and safety and advances overall worker well-being.  Healthy workers who are free from discomfort can perform their jobs more effectively. Employers also experience improvements in:

• Enhanced quality, productivity and efficiency;
• Reduced turnover of experienced, knowledgeable and skilled workers;
• Decreased worker injuries, lost time and worker compensation costs;
• Increased timely return to work after an injury; and
• Improved worker satisfaction, morale and motivation.

Methods

Using the ‘RACE’ process is an effective way for employers to address ergonomic hazards. This approach uses hazard recognition (R), risk assessment (A), control implementation (C) and follow-up evaluation (E). Hazard recognition is typically performed using screening tools, ergonomic checklists, worker feedback and monitoring of occupational injuries. Risk assessment entails a more detailed evaluation to identify hazards and weigh the risk, involving more advanced tools such as biomechanical, cognitive, and/or organizational task analysis and manual material handling tables. Control implementation involves identifying, choosing and applying ergonomic solutions using the hierarchy of controls. Follow-up evaluation determines the ongoing effectiveness of actions taken to check that use is as planned, correct and consistent, in order to effectively eliminate or mitigate ergonomic hazards to prevent occupational injury.

Before using the RACE process, the employer should determine a plan to identify jobs with ergonomic hazards. Employers should have methods in place to collect lagging indicators such as injury and near-miss data. In addition, employers should collect leading indicators to focus on future safety performance and continuous improvement, such as discomfort surveys, focus groups, production data as well as absenteeism and turnover rates. Both types of indicators can be used as a benchmark in the follow-up evaluation. Other important elements include incorporating a participatory approach involving workers as the ‘experts’ at each stage, involving the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) and keeping records of the process.

Incident Investigations

When a workplace incident occurs, the cause is often initially determined to be ‘human error’, meaning the worker made a bad decision, wasn’t paying attention or didn’t follow the rules. However, workplace incidents often occur as the result of a variety of factors and require further investigation. Workers make decisions and take actions that make sense to them at the time, given their goals, knowledge and focus of attention. It is important that incident investigations attempt to understand the sequence of events from the workers' point of view to focus on the workplace factors that influenced the worker’s decisions and actions in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring. Simply retraining or disciplining a worker involved in an incident is typically not the best way to prevent reoccurrence, as hazards will often remain within the system.

Refer to the Health and Safety Resources section for additional information about how to implement a successful ergonomics program, the process to effectively address ergonomic hazards and guidance for completing incident investigations using a systems approach.