Overview:

This three-day workshop introduces you to basic ergonomics principles and addresses topics such as: musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and other ergonomics-related problems, identifying and prioritizing ergonomic stressors, determining root causes, analysis techniques, developing appropriate control measures, and design criteria. This workshop prepares you to conduct both industrial and office assessments for the control of ergonomic stressors that could potentially lead to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The course mixes lecture and “hands-on” laboratory sessions to allow you to apply techniques that will facilitate feasible, effective and justifiable solutions.This course is offered in conjunction with the Ergonomics Center of North Carolina.

What You Will Learn:

• Describe elements of a successful ergonomics process and how individual employees can support it.
• Define ergonomics and why it is important.
• Define MSDs and give examples.
• List MSD symptoms and explain the importance of early reporting.
• Identify risk factors (stressors) that contribute to WMSDs.
• Explain the importance of working in neutral postures and how it affects fatigue.
• Appropriately prioritize jobs based upon risk factors present, injury data, and interviews with employees/supervisors.
• Use the Washington State Assessment Tool to perform general ergonomics evaluations.
• Use the Strain Index and RULA Assessment Tools to analyze jobs with ergonomics risk factors associated with the upper extremities.
• Use the NIOSH Lifting Guidelines and Manual Materials Handling Tables to analyze jobs with ergonomics risk factors associated with the low back.
• Develop appropriate intervention strategies for the reduction of WMSD risk factors.
• Conduct office assessments and develop recommendations.