Safety and Health Topics: Ergonomics

	Safety and Health Topics
	Ergonomics

Announcements

OSHA publishes Final Ergonomics Guidelines for Shipyards [More...]
OSHA Protocol for Developing Industry and Task Specific Ergonomic Guidelines [More...]
OSHA Publishes Dow Chemical Company Ergonomics Case Study. [More...]

Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Effective and successful "fits" assure high productivity, avoidance of illness and injury risks, and increased satisfaction among the workforce. Although the scope of ergonomics is much broader, the term here refers to assessing those work-related factors that may pose a risk of musculoskeletal disorders and recommendations to alleviate them. Common examples of ergonomic risk factors are found in jobs requiring repetitive, forceful, or proplonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of heavy objects; and prolonged awkward postures. Vibration and cold may add risk to these work conditions. Jobs or working conditions presenting multiple risk factors will have a higher probability of causing a musculoskeletal problem. The level of risk depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the exposure to these conditions and the individuals' capacity to meet the force of other job demands that might be involved.

What guidelines does OSHA provide?
Poultry Processing | Retail Grocery Stores | Nursing Homes | Shipyard Employment

How do I look for conditions that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders?
Review of Injury Records | Job Analysis

How do I find examples of possible solutions for ergonomic problems?
OSHA Ergonomic eTools | Additional Resources | Success Stories

Where do I find additional assistance?
eTools | Cooperative Programs | Training and Education | OSHA Contact Information

In Focus

Hot Topics

OSHA Publishes Final Ergonomics Guidelines for Shipyards. OSHA. Also available as a 1 MB PDF, 56 pages.
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topic.
Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-131, (2007, April), 3 MB PDF, 68 pages. Offers suggestions for managers and supervisors to improve the handling of rectangular, square, and cylindrical containers, sacks, and bags.

eTools

Computer Workstations. OSHA. Identifies hazards and ergonomic controls for computer workstations.
Ergonomics: Solutions for Electrical Contractors. OSHA. Describes common hazards that electrical contractors may encounter and possible solutions for these hazards.
Ergonomics in the Printing Industry. OSHA. Provides information based on the experience of others with the hope of making the process of hazard minimization easier. This eTool is divided into the following process pages that correspond to the major styles of printing: Lithography, Flexography, and Screen Printing