Introduces the application of ergonomic principles to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Topics include: work physiology; anthropometry; video display terminals; and risk factors, such as vibration, temperature, manual handling, repetition, and continuous keyboard use. Industrial case studies cover analysis and design of work stations and equipment; laboratory sessions focus on manual lifting and OSHA’s proposed ergonomic protection standard.

By the end of this course, each participant will be able to:

• Discuss the current medical characteristics of cumulative trauma disorders associated with employee exposure, incidence, and symptoms.
• Describe the impact of workplace design and tasks on ergonomic disorders.
• Identify environmental, physiological, and work station characteristics recognized to have the potential to contribute to acute injury or cumulative trauma disorders.
• Recommend improvements to work practices to reduce risk factors.
• Recommend improvements to work stations to reduce risk factors.
• Recommend improvements to equipment (design) to reduce risk factors.
• Analyze manual lifting tasks and estimate reasonable lifting limits.
• Describe the limitations of personal protective equipment for ergonomic risk factors.
• Describe the essential elements of an effective ergonomic program if given management support.
• Discuss current emphasis of OSHA with respect to enforcement policy.