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MODULE 4: ERGONOMICS JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

Efforts to identify jobs or tasks having known risk factors for musculoskeletal problems can provide the groundwork for changes aimed at risk reduction. Even without clear medical evidence, screening jobs for musculoskeletal risk factors can offer a basis for early interventions.

An effective identification method is the Ergonomics Job Hazard Analysis which breaks a job into its various elements or actions, describes them, measures and quantifies the ergonomics risk factors inherent in the elements, identifies conditions contributing to the risk factors, and determines corrective measures.

Job analyses are usually done by persons with considerable experience and training in these areas. While most job analyses have common approaches, such as a focus on the same set of risk factors described above, no "standard" protocol exists for conducting a job analysis to assess ergonomic hazards.

Most job analyses have several common steps:

A complete description of the job is obtained.
Employees are often interviewed in order to determine if the way the job is done changes over time.
During the job analysis, the job is divided into a number of discrete tasks.
Each task is then studied to determine the specific risk factors that occur during the task.
Sometimes each risk factor is evaluated in terms of its magnitude, the number of times it occurs during the task, and how long the risk factor lasts each time it occurs.

The tasks of most jobs can be described in terms of:

the tools, equipment, machinery and materials used to perform the job
the workstation layout and physical environment
the task demands and organizational climate in which the work is performed

More definitive procedures for collecting information on these components can include the following:

Observing the workers performing the tasks in order to furnish time-activity analysis and job or task cycle data; videotaping the workers is typically done for this purpose
Still photos of work postures, workstation layouts, tools, etc., to illustrate the job
Workstation measurements (e.g., work surface heights, reach distances)
Measuring tool handle sizes, weighing tools and parts, and measuring tool vibration and part dimensions
Determining characteristics of work surfaces such as slip resistance, hardness, and surface edges
Measuring exposures to heat, cold, and whole body vibration
Biomechanical calculations (e.g., muscle force required to accomplish a task or the pressure put on a spinal disc based on the weight of a load lifted, pulled, or pushed)
Physiological measures (e.g., oxygen consumption, heart rate)
Special questionnaires, interviews, and subjective rating procedures to determine the amount of perceived exertion and the psychological factors influencing work performance

Setting Priorities

Jobs associated with cases of musculoskeletal problems deserve the highest consideration in follow-up efforts to identify ergonomics risk factors and implement control actions. Jobs in which current cases have been identified should receive immediate attention, followed by those in which past records have noted a high incidence or severity of MSDs despite the lack of current cases.

Priority for job analysis and intervention should be given to those jobs:

in which most people are affected or in which work method changes are going to be taking place anyway.
associated with worker complaints of fatigue and discomfort.
where screening efforts suggest the presence of significant risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders.

There you have it! I hope you've gained a better understanding of the ergonomics job hazard analysis process and how to prioritize corrective actions. Time for the review quiz, so let's go.

Module Quiz

16. The ergonomics job hazard analysis does all of the following except:

a. identifies conditions contributing to risk factors
b. measures and quantifies ergonomic risk factors
c. breaks down task into individual steps
d. excludes employee involvement in the analysis

17. While most job analyses have common approaches, such as a focus on the same set of risk factors described above, no "standard" protocol exists for conducting a job analysis to assess ergonomic hazards.

a. True
b. False

18. Which of the following procedures is not one listed for collecting information on the ergonomic components of a job?

a. videotaping
b. observation
c. investigation
d. measurements

19. Jobs in which current cases have been identified should receive ____________ attention, followed by those in which past records have noted a high incidence or ________ of MSDs despite the lack of current cases.

a. planned, probability
b. some, number
c. immediate, severity
d. primary, type

20. Priority for job analysis and intervention should be given to those jobs:

a. employees complain of discomfort
b. in which most people are affected
c. significant risk factors exist
d. all of the above

Good work on Module 4! Conducting the job hazard analysis doesn't have to be rocket science. Keep it simple and keep people involved. Continue on to Module 5 to learn more about how to control ergonomics risk factors. If you have any questions or comments, just drop me an email at monique.e.schmidt@state.or.us.

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