Gathering And Examining Evidence Of Wmsds

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Ergonomic program.

Vision mechanical

By: David Watson

1. LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF WMSD’s

This is the first and foremost step in the ergonomics program. It involves

looking for signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.

1. Reports of MSD signs, symptoms taking in all

Recommendations and opinions from employees and foremen.

2. Review of safety records on file and OSHA 200 logs for WMSD’s and

MSD hazards.

3. Routine inspections by management and supervisors.

4. Conducting surveys with employees.

Employee Information

For existing and new employees in jobs at risk for WMSD’s this information will be accessible:

1. The recognition of signs and symptoms of WMSD’s.

MSD – SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Joint Pain

Stiffness

Pain, tingling, or numbness in hands, palms, feet or other areas

Loss of muscle function

Swelling or inflammation

Difficulties performing daily activities

Burning sensation

Shooting or stabbing pains in arms and legs

Difficulties in moving body parts

Decreased range of motion

Redness/loss of color

Cramping

2. Hazards that cause or contribute to WMSD’s at Vision Mechanical.

MSD RISK FACTORS

1. Repetition hammering

2. Poor lifting and posture

3. Poor gripping practices

4. Vibration Driving

5. Impact Hand tools

6. Working overhead for long periods of time

7. Cold working outdoors, working

in refrigerated areas

8. Work-rest ratio Overtime

9. Repetitive gripping

3. Reporting signs and symptoms of WMSD’s and hazards, and recommendations.

1. Information sheets

2. Verbally through the chain of command

3. Surveys

4. Workstation assessment sheets

2. SETTING THE STAGE FOR ACTION

Establish a Hazard Policy Statement.

Policy Statement: Feedback from employees is the most important means of identifying and correcting ergonomic hazards. When a WMSD hazard is identified, the supervisor will provide a response from upper management, and recommended action within 8 hours of receiving the notification.

Upper management’s part:

1. Direct and communicate responsibilities to employees for adhering to

and developing the ergonomics program so Foremen, Lead men, and

Workers know what is expected of them, and the accountability of their

responsibilities to this program.

2. Provide all employees involved with the authority, resources, information,

and training to uphold their responsibilities.

Inform all foremen to:

A. Respond promptly to reports about workplace hazards and symptoms of

MSD hazards also to listen to employee recommendations.

3. Communicate on a weekly basis with all employees involved in the

program about WMSD hazards in the shop or in the field. This will be

completed with safety committees, postings on employee bulletin boards,

weekly management meetings and weekly toolbox talk meetings for all

field workers and shop workers.

Employee Involvement:

Employees will be provided:

1. A means to notify their immediate supervisor of signs and symptoms

relating to MSD hazards, and make recommendations about how to

control them. Employees may also use the ergonomic suggestion forms,

and medical management forms. If any one of these methods are used it

will require further action on the part of the upper management.

2. Upper management will provide prompt responses to employee reports

and recommendations. Response time will be 8hrs for reports of MSD’s

and MSD hazards.

3. All employees will receive a copy of the ergonomics policy upon hire and

may request a copy at anytime during their employment.

4. All employees must complete training in safety and ergonomics videos

upon hiring with the company within 24 hours. After that the training will

be done on a monthly basis. Feedback from new hires and existing

employees on how they can apply the quality and usefulness of the

ergonomic training will be fielded by the safety officer and considered for

use at future training to improve the program.

3. TRAINING

Training is as follows:

1. Employees in problem areas, and employees in similar jobs.

2. All new hires

3. All persons involved in the ergonomics program.

4. All employees must complete monthly training in ergonomics and safety.

Training will also focus on these major areas:

1. The premise of ergonomics is to fit the job to the person rather than

making the person fit the job.

2. Cumulative trauma or repetitive motion injuries.

3. Other work-related stresses such as vibration, heat and cold, poor lighting,

and static positioning.

4. Early symptoms of ergonomically-related injuries.

4. GATHERING AND EXAMINING EVIDENCE OF

WMSD’s

The Job Hazard Analysis of Vision Mechanical is to identify WMSD risks, providing information of different job related risks, and to pinpoint the causes of various problems. When WMSD’s are identified, a Job Hazard Analysis will be performed and steps will be made to eliminate the risk.

WMSD risk steps of Jobsite Analysis.

1. List all:

a. Employees in the problem area

b. Employees who do the same work activities in other jobs.

2. Questioning employees:

a. Are experiencing the signs or symptoms of WMSD’s?

b. Are having problems performing the job?

c. What activities do they associate with the problem?

3. Observe employees working on the job to identify job factors.

4. Evaluate the factors and determine what is causing the problem.

5. DEVELOPING CONTROLS

Control Measures

This is the most positive aspect to prevent problems in the work place. Developing control measures fix the problem by redesigning the workstation and the work habits to eliminate the causes of the WMSD’s. Successful control measures include the following, Engineering, Work Practice, and Administrative.

The Control Measure Process of Vision Mechanical.

1. Identification, and implementation of control measures to control the

MSD hazards.

2. Keeping track of the progression in controlling WMSD hazards.

3. Communication is key, in being informed of the control measures results

coinciding with job hazard analysis in all jobsites of the company who

may have the same WMSD hazard.

4. Identifying all hazards of new equipment. Training is to be conducted on

new equipment.

Control Methods

1. Engineering Controls, control the physical changes to jobsites and the

shop that control the exposure to MSD hazards these are the preferred

methods of Vision Mechanical. Engineering controls work directly on the

source of the WMSD hazard and control exposure to the hazard.

The following are ways of Engineering Controls.

Examples Include:

Work stations

Tools

Jobsites

Equipment

Material handling

2. Work Practice Controls reduce the exposure to WMSD hazards through

changing the manner in the way a job is performed. Work practice

controls also act at the source of the hazard. The protection work practice

controls change is the procedures that upper management, foremen, and

employees follow to perform work methods.

Examples of work practice controls for Vision Mechanical include:

Safety and proper work techniques

Probationary period for new employees

Training in WMSD hazards and work techniques that reduce exposure.

3. Administrative Controls are procedures put in place by upper

management.

Examples of administrative controls for Vision Mechanical include:

Employee rotation

Adjustment of work pace

Redesign work methods

Rest breaks

Continuing Control Process

6. ESTABLISHING HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT

Upper management will make available medical scervices to all employees with signs or symptoms of WMSD. All reports of WMSD’s will be processed to determine if medical management is necessary.

A Risk Management Incident Report should be filed with the immediate supervisor within 24 hours of the employee’s signs or symptoms of a WMSD. Work restrictions, will be established by the companies medical provider.

Reports of WMSD’s:

1. When reports of WMSD’s are reported, employees will be given access to

health care professionals for the proper evaluation, and treatment.

2. Information regarding employee’s job will be provided to the medical

provider to inform the provider of the incident so they can asses the injury

better.

3. Written medical opinion will be given to the employee and the upper

management will be provided with a copy for there records.

7. PROACTIVE ERGONOMICS

A proactive approach focuses on preventing risks of WMSDS that have already been identified, as well as any that may arise. Vision Mechanical has this program in place.

1. Management Leadership: Vision Mechanical is committed to the rules

of this document. Support will be given to the Ergonomics Program

Officer by identifying and controlling WMSD’s. Management will

support an effective WMSD reporting system and will adhere to a

established medical and health care plan. Management will communicate

with employees about the program and any changes to it.

2. Employee Participation: This is essential to the success of the

ergonomics program, employees will be asked for their opinions and

assistance in controlling ergonomic risk factors, jobsite analysis,

creation and use of new and existing controls.

Evaluations of the program as a whole.

Evaluations of the ergonomics program and all its contents will be conducted at the very least once a year, to ensure all employees and upper management is in compliance with the program in this document and any new amendments that have been made to it. We will also strive for monthly training in safety, and ergonomics, company wide.

These procedures will be used at Vision Mechanical to measure the effects of the ergonomics program set forth in this document and on going training.

1. Monitoring of activities to ensure that ergonomics process is functioning

properly.

2. Evaluating the program and controls used, to make sure they

are in compliance with NIOSH and OSHA requirements.

3. Establishing a starting point to provide a measurement of the effectiveness

in the program and its controls.