Industry: Manufacturing - SIC Code: 2591

Employees: 850

Success Brief:

Work station evaluations and adjustments reduced injuries from keyboard and telephone use at Spring Windows Fashions, a participant in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.

The Problem:

Each year, the company received 30 to 40 complaints and 10 to 15 compensable claims for neck, shoulder, and back pain from customer service representatives working at computer stations.

The Solution:

The company's ergonomics committee developed an Ergonomics Workstation Evaluation Form that is used to evaluate each computer work station for proper fit to the employee to be working there. If problems develop, the work stations are reevaluated, adjustments are made, and a follow-up evaluation is performed to determine if the changes were effective.

The Impact:

In the past year, there have been no compensable claims from musculoskeletal injuries related to work at the computer work stations. Due to the success of this program, a similar Ergonomics Workstation Evaluation Form has been developed and is being used to evaluate work stations on the company's manufacturing floor.

Source:

• Dell Pratt, Safety and Security Manager (April 2003).