SOP 2.11: Ergonomics



SOP 2.11: Ergonomics

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Regulatory and contractual requirements 1

3. Safety and health requirements 1

4. Worksite analysis 2

5. Hazard control recommendation plan 2

Attachment A: Ergonomic-related Hazards and Controls 3

1. Introduction

This Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility shall implement an ergonomics program to prevent temporary or permanent staff injury. This can occur when incorrect or repetitive body motions are performed during normal operations. This Facility shall establish a process for developing task specific guidelines to assist in recognizing and controlling potential ergonomic hazards.

2. Regulatory and contractual requirements

Ergonomic requirements are established in OSHA 29 CFR General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1). For information on ergonomics see doer.state.mn.us/ei-safih/ergo.htm.

3. Safety and health requirements

3.1 The person designated to ensure that proper ergonomic techniques are implemented for this HHW Program is the Facility Manager. This person shall:

1. recognize the potential of ergonomic stressors that could adversely impact Facility staff health and safety.

2. implement corrective actions to reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to ergonomic stressors (establish controls such as addressing proper work-related techniques or provide on the job training).

3. ensure staff reporting ergonomic-related symptoms are referred to the nearest medical facility for surveillance or treatment,

4. perform worksite analysis or surveys to validate whether efforts to eliminate or reduce ergonomic risk factors have been effective to the extent feasible,

3.2 Each staff handling HHW shall participate in safety and health trainings (initial and annual) offered through the State, or may attend equivalent training courses.

3.3 All new staff shall receive additional job specific training in accordance with this Facility’s written training program; see SOP 1.4 HHW Training Requirements.

4. Worksite analysis

Be aware of common contributing ergonomic-related problems or conditions at other HHW facilities as they may also be a concern for this Program (SLTC/ergonomics/common_contrib.html). Ergonomic worksite analysis shall emphasize an evaluation of work place practice controls and operational tasks. These may include the following questions:

• Did this Facility strive to keep the workplace free of hazards?

• Do hazards exist which may cause death or serious physical harm?

• Have potential hazards been recognized?

• Is there a feasible means of abatement for those hazards?

• Is staff reporting ergonomic-related symptoms?

• Does staff ensure proper ergonomic improvements are implemented in their specific work area(s)?

• Does staff consistently follow suggested ergonomic improvements?

4.1 Review injury and illness records

If access is available, the designated Program staff person responsible for maintaining health and safety records shall review staff injury and illness records for potential ergonomic-related problems. These records may include:

▪ Workers’ compensation claims

▪ Group health insurance records

▪ First aid logs

▪ Absentee and turnover records

▪ Records of staff complaints or grievances

▪ First report of injury/OSHA 300 log

4.2 Identify potential musculoskeletal disorders

After review of the above information sources, identify entries that may indicate the presence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). While there is no single diagnosis for MSDs, the conditions identified below are commonly included in the range of conditions that potentially constitute an MSD.

▪ tendonitis

▪ tenosynovitis

▪ epicondylitis

▪ carpal tunnel syndrome

▪ bursitis

▪ deQuervain’s disease

▪ ganglion cyst

▪ thoracic outlet syndrome

▪ sprains, strains, or tears

▪ pain

4.3 Categorize hazards

Once recognized, categorize the MSD cases as related to work tasks to pinpoint where patterns or trends exist.

4.4 Seek staff input

Request information from staff about the existence of ergonomic problems related to particular jobs or tasks. This will be accomplished by:

• speaking with staff

• conducting symptom surveys

• providing staff with questionnaires

• ensuring effective housekeeping to minimize the potential for slips, trips, and falls

5. Hazard control recommendation plan

If ergonomic hazards are identified, draft a written hazard control plan and update it as needed, including:

• descriptions of specific jobs

• details of all potential hazards associated with the job task; see Attachment A of this SOP

• possible approaches to controlling the hazard

• descriptions highlighting the effectiveness of each control approach

Attachment A

Ergonomic-related Hazards and Controls

The following is a list of HHW tasks, potential ergonomic hazards, and possible control methods. Note: not all hazards have been identified. Some solutions may work for multiple situations, but may not always work for each task or individual.

|Receiving and unloading containers from vehicles |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Lifting, repetition, |Slide waste load toward edge of tailgate/trunk, closer to |Rotate staff to reduce time spent lifting |

|twisting, or carrying|body |Request assistance for large or awkward loads |

|waste loads |Use proper lifting technique |Use a hook to slide containers toward the back of trunks or |

| |Do not twist with the load, move your feet |truck beds |

| |Reduce the size of the load |Use a two-wheel cart |

| |Have cart located near the vehicle to reduce carrying |Use back belts |

| |distance |Have the participant unload their own vehicle |

| |Utilize top cart shelf to avoid physically lowering the |Ensure adequate numbers of staff are available |

| |load | |

| |Take frequent breaks | |

|Sorting |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Standing, trips, |Elevate receiving container |Rotate staff and tasks |

|twisting, or bending |Anti-fatigue, anti-static, or rubber mats |Smaller, shorter/lower gaylord height |

| |Minimize twisting or sharp movements |Hook in gaylord to reach containers |

| |Adjust table heights |Gaylords with sides that open |

| |Platforms or stools |Roller or conveyer system |

| |Shoe inserts |Wrist support |

| |Have table and cart at the same height |Take adequate breaks |

|Transferring containers to gaylords or lab packing |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Bending, lifting, |Purchase or create gaylords that open on one side |Restrict time on each task |

|lowering waste loads,|Hoist or scissor platform (spring) inside the gaylord |Hook in gaylord to reach containers |

|or contact stress | | |

|Lifting/transferring large objects and car batteries to bins or gaylords |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Lifting loads, |Training on proper lifting techniques |Forklift to move pallet closer to storage bins (vs. |

|repetition, twisting |Elevating battery storage bins |transferring one battery at a time) |

| |Back belts |Pneumatic lift or platform |

| |Have the participant unload their own items | |

| |Use more people to assist | |

|Lifting 5-gallon containers |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Lifting, repetition, |Proper lifting techniques (correct posture, wrist and arm |Transfer waste into smaller containers prior to final |

|twisting, or pouring |placement) |bulking procedure |

|waste |Proper lifting device (hoist, pulley, forklift, platform) |Allow someone else to lift the container Auto-siphons |

| |Ensure an adequate number of staff is available to assist |Low profile funnel |

| |Have gradual work heights to lift from floor height |Ensure working surfaces are at the same height as the |

| |Tilt can to empty (vs. lift) |container receiving waste |

| |Back belts | |

|Opening and bulking paint cans |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Repetition, awkward |Avoid screwdrivers to open containers |Limit number of cans to process (open only newer cans for |

|wrist angle, lifting,|Paint can opener, hatchet or vice grip for opening containers|reuse) |

|bending, stirring, |Switch hands to reduce fatigue |Wrist supports |

|and long periods of |Re-engineer design of can openers |Loosen lid with hammer |

|standing |Reduce work time |Ship un-bulked in gaylords or lab packs to avoid opening |

| |Rotate the job task and shifts |Can crusher, puncturing device or pneumatic opener |

| |Hire additional staff |Crown punch or machine to cut container tops out |

| |Mounted scraper | |

|Moving Large Containers or 55-gallon Drums |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Repetition, lifting, |4-wheel cart/or 4-wheel base |Drum-righter tool |

|bending |Secure the load |Back belts |

| |Forklift with drum grabbers |Use additional staff while moving containers on ramps |

| |Move containers on smooth, flat surfaces vs. gravel |Drum dolly (use two staff to tip) |

|Respirators |

|Issues |Prevention |

|Neck strain |Take breaks and limit the amount of use time |Change cartridge type from dual to chemical cartridge with|

| | |a pre-filter |

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