Occupational Health amp Safety Department of Environmental Health amp Safety Washington State University Ergonomics is the science and practice of designing tasks and workplace considering ID: 1046313
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1. Animal Care ErgonomicsEd Havey, M.S., CEAOccupational Health & SafetyDepartment of Environmental Health & SafetyWashington State University
2. Ergonomics is the science and practice of designing tasks and workplace considering our capabilities and limitations. ORFitting the work to the person UserEquipment/Work SpaceTasksWhat is Ergonomics?
3. Prevention of WMSDs Reduced fatigue and discomfortIncreased productivityImproved quality of workEnhanced quality of lifeBenefits of Ergonomics
4. WMSDs are soft-tissue injuries to muscles,tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels andnerves that usually develop gradually.Can be serious, if not taken care of early.Also know as:Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)Overuse InjuriesWhat are Work-RelatedMusculoskeletal Disorders?
5. WMSDs can occur when demands on tissuesexceed their capacities. Typically they occur in the moving parts of the body like the neck, back, shoulder, elbow, wristand knee.Low Back InjuryCarpal Tunnel Syndrome TendonitisTenosynovitis EpicondylitisDe Quervain’s SyndromeCommon WMSDs
6. Discomfort FatiguePainSwelling Loss of ROMStiff/tight musclesNumbnessTinglingBurning SensationsShooting/Stabbing PainsWeakness in the hands; dropping thingsWMSDs Symptoms
7. Experiencing one or more symptoms does notnecessarily mean a person has a WMSD. However, an Incident Report should be completedand a task evaluated when:Symptoms are associated with specific movements/postures and/or tasksSymptoms are chronicSymptoms appear to worsen throughout the work day & week, with some relief in the evenings and on weekendsWhen are symptoms a concern?
8. Early modifications to work conditions and practices are more successfulEarly treatment is more successfulIgnoring early symptoms can lead to injuries requiring more intensive treatmentUntreated symptoms and injuries might result in permanent disabilityWhy is it important to act early?
9. WMSDs causes are multifactorial. Physical risk factors:Awkward and Static PosturesHigh Hand ForcesHighly Repetitive MotionsMechanical/Contact StressColdVibrationCombinations of factorsWhat Causes WMSDs?
10. Animal Care Tasks –WMSDs RiskCage Handling Small Animal HandlingLarge Animal HandlingCart HandlingFeed and Bedding Bag Handling Water Bottle HandlingMedical & Research Procedures
11. TaskHands/WristsElbowsShouldersNeckBackLegsLifting animals for cage cleaningLifting cage floors and gratingPushing, pulling, rotating full cage cartsCleaning cages with spray nozzle/scrub brushLifting feed bagsDispensing food pellets into wire cagesHigh-Risk Large Animal Tasks: WMSDs by Body Area
12. TaskHands/WristsElbowsShouldersNeckBackLegsTransferring rodents with forcepsHandling containers, wire cages, cage lidsPreparing, transferring, replenishing water bottlesRodent dosingLifting feed bagsPushing, pulling, rotating full cartsHigh-Risk Small Animal Tasks: WMSDs by Body Area
13. Preventing and responding to WMSDsinvolves:Designing or modifying the work environment (engineering controls)Modifying tasks (administrative controls)Task variability (administrative controls)User health/fitnessProfessional Health Care WMSD Prevention & Treatment
14. Engineering controls are the preferred controlmethodErgonomic design specifications should be considered from the inception of all projects to ensure proper facility design and equipment purchases.Specifications can include: rules, checklists or guidelines addressing factors such as reach distances, working heights, forces, and grip dimensions.WMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
15. Good design minimizes exposures to:Awkward and static posturesHigh hand forcesRepetitive motionsMechanical/contact stressProlonged standingGood Design = Desired ActionsWMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
16. Common Engineering ControlsLarge (min. 20 cm) roller bearing casters on movable cagesAutomatic cage waste disposal, dumping & washing systemsVacuum disposal & delivery for cage beddingFeed bags, cages and other items requiring repeated lifting stored 40-50 cm above the floor (or store feed bags on lift and swivel tables)Adjustable footrests for seated work or foot rails with anti-fatigue matting for standing work areasCentrally located feed bags (20kg maximum) and all suppliesWMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
17. Engineering Controls - Large Animal TasksCeiling mounted water systems to reduce lifting forces while spray washing cagesPhase out stainless steel cage floors for lightweight aluminum floors/grating with handholdsCurved shaft mops and cage scraping tools with upper handle gripProvide as much space as possible in animal housing areasWMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
18. Engineering Controls - Large Animal TasksMultiple floor drains in animal rooms with easy access for cleaningSmooth transition between rooms, minimize rampsRemove bumps leading to animal rooms and floor drainsAdvancing back wall (“squeeze”) on cages to minimize animal handlingWMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
19. Engineering Controls - Small Animal TasksHeight adjustable (70-115 cm) bio-containment hoods with kneewell clearanceErgonomic forceps with larger grips to minimize finger fatigue1.2 m maximum shelf height of rodent cagesReplace glass water bottles with plastic or install automatic watering systemsWMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
20. Engineering Controls - Small Animal TasksMinimum of 2 m between racks in rodent rooms to improve cart and equipment maneuverabilityProvide rodent surgeons with adjustable angled rodent tray or support stand for tail bleedingAdjustable extended eyepieces for microscopy workWMSD PreventionEngineering Controls and Facility Design
21. Administrative controls: policies, procedures and practices minimizing exposure of workers to risk.Less effective than engineering controls as they donot eliminate the hazard; however, they:Lessen frequency of exposureLessen duration of exposureAdvantages: cost and feasibilityWMSD PreventionAdministrative Controls
22. General administrative controls include:Broaden or vary job contentDistribute equal workloads among workersRotate workers through several jobsSchedule more breaks for rest and recoveryAdjust work pace to give workers more control of workTraining:Work practices and proceduresRecognize risk factorsRecognize and report WMSD signs and symptomsParticipate in identifying and implementing controlsWMSD PreventionAdministrative Controls
23. Task Development and VariabilityDeveloping or modifying tasksdepends on 3 interacting factorsTask variability offers severaladvantages:Opportunity to change posturesUsers will be more alert and productive Different tasks use different muscle groupsProvides recovery time and pauses for stretchesTasks with highly repetitive motions and high hand forces can be spread out during the day WMSD PreventionAdministrative Controls
24. do you see? risk factorsWMSD Physical Risk Factors What physical
25. Associated Risk Factors:Static PosturesAwkward Postures – neck, head and armsAssociated Health Concerns:Sore feetSwelling of the legsFatigueLow back painNeck painWMSD PreventionStanding Tasks
26. Preventative Measures:Proper shoesChange in postureWalkingFootrestsSit-stand stoolsAnti-fatigue matsWMSD PreventionStanding Tasks
27. Computer workstation ergonomic considerations:UserWorkstation configurationChairDesk & Keyboard/Mouse TrayInput DevicesMonitor – CRT vs. LCDTasksLightingWMSD PreventionComputer Tasks
28. Risk Factors:Health & injury historyLifting, carrying, pulling & pushingAwkward & static posturesObject weightPreventative Measures:Engineering controlsMaintenance programsMinimize weight/forceProper techniquesWMSD PreventionBack Injury Prevention
29. Questions & ConsultationIf you have additional questions or would like toschedule an ergonomic evaluation contact: Ed Haveyhavey@wsu.edu or 5-5311