In ergonomics our objectives are to prevent injuries to people at work, improve productivity, increase effectiveness of services, control costs and exposure of the company and be a catalyst for change in management's attitude and involvement and the workers performance and satisfaction.
Currently we view ergonomics as: well designed tools and equipment, an efficient layout of the workplace, a mechanically sound work organization, positive behavior of the worker towards self-care and a proactive leadership/management team. In other words, ergonomics is a blending of the worker with their work environment.
Another issue that we must now address in ergonomics is the increase of older workers that remain or rejoin the current United States workforce.
In 1972 the average age of a worker in the US was 28. Currently it is around 46. There are 18.2 million workers 55 and older. By 2010 there will be 25.6 million workers over the age of 55. Extensive research has found no relationship between age and on the job performance. Maturity does work. However, aging of the body does produce issues that increase susceptibility to musculoskeletal disorders.
The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning between bones, changes with age. With less water content the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As cartilage degenerates osteoarthritis can develop. Ligaments and connective tissue between bones become less elastic reducing a person's flexibility. As muscles age they can begin to shrink and lose mass. This is a natural process but a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate it. The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus it takes muscles longer to respond in our 50's than in our 20's. The water content of tendons decreases as we age. This will make tissues stiffer and less able to tolerate stress.
How does aging effect ergonomics? Aging effects hearing, eyesight, strength, flexibility, reflexes, hand-eye coordination, endurance, stamina, balance and sleep patterns. All of these issues may increase risk for MSDs and slow down recovery. Older workers are 30% less likely to be hurt severely enough to miss work but will take longer to recover.
Simple accommodations for older workers will help all workers. Provide tools and workstations that avoid extremes in motion and postures. Larger knobs, switches, dials and print will decrease errors and increase ease of use. Reducing the force required to perform a job with adaptive equipment for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grip and pinch forces will benefit all from an ergonomics perspective.
Prevention of Ergonomics Injuries Related to Age
Education of management and workers about the issues that face an aging workforce is a necessity. Motivation is also a key component for success. It is important to teach how self-care is a major component of success.
Having control over their tasks and breaks is also important for an older workforce where fatigue is a warning sign of possible injury or development of a musculoskeletal disorder. Change in our work tasks and equipment will continue to occur as noted by the increase in sedentary jobs involving computers. Fatigue will always be a part of physical and mental work activities but the impact can be decreased with ergonomic interventions like Work & Stretch programs.
Design consultation addressing aging workers is part of the process of change. In all reality good proactive ergonomics begins in the design process. Unfortunately, we generally do not involve ergonomics until there is a problem identified. Often ergonomics is reactive. This is much more expensive then building correctly in the first place. This is where Ergonomics Consulting can be applied.
Advocacy is an important element for successful education. This is where we install the Ergo Leader program. Nations Business magazine reported as early as March of 1990 that injury risk at work was only 20% the result of work design but 80% the result of worker habit. One accepted technique of behavioral modification is peer pressure. We call this an Ergo Leader program. In this program first identify areas of high risk for MSDs. Recruit as team members workers from those areas with skills and interest in the job and safety processes. Build a team of both management and workers focused on ERGO health and safety as the primary directive. Bring in or grow your own experts with the authority to propose and effect changes.
Addressing fatigue and the needs of older workers will assist ALL workers in maintaining a health body. The result is a win-win for all parties involved. Let us begin to recognize an AGING WORKFORCE as a positive incentive for applying ergonomics principles to all work and home situations.
Ergonomics Consultants
Ergonomic Certifications
Currently we view ergonomics as: well designed tools and equipment, an efficient layout of the workplace, a mechanically sound work organization, positive behavior of the worker towards self-care and a proactive leadership/management team. In other words, ergonomics is a blending of the worker with their work environment.
Another issue that we must now address in ergonomics is the increase of older workers that remain or rejoin the current United States workforce.
In 1972 the average age of a worker in the US was 28. Currently it is around 46. There are 18.2 million workers 55 and older. By 2010 there will be 25.6 million workers over the age of 55. Extensive research has found no relationship between age and on the job performance. Maturity does work. However, aging of the body does produce issues that increase susceptibility to musculoskeletal disorders.
The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning between bones, changes with age. With less water content the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As cartilage degenerates osteoarthritis can develop. Ligaments and connective tissue between bones become less elastic reducing a person's flexibility. As muscles age they can begin to shrink and lose mass. This is a natural process but a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate it. The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus it takes muscles longer to respond in our 50's than in our 20's. The water content of tendons decreases as we age. This will make tissues stiffer and less able to tolerate stress.
How does aging effect ergonomics? Aging effects hearing, eyesight, strength, flexibility, reflexes, hand-eye coordination, endurance, stamina, balance and sleep patterns. All of these issues may increase risk for MSDs and slow down recovery. Older workers are 30% less likely to be hurt severely enough to miss work but will take longer to recover.
Simple accommodations for older workers will help all workers. Provide tools and workstations that avoid extremes in motion and postures. Larger knobs, switches, dials and print will decrease errors and increase ease of use. Reducing the force required to perform a job with adaptive equipment for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grip and pinch forces will benefit all from an ergonomics perspective.
Prevention of Ergonomics Injuries Related to Age
Education of management and workers about the issues that face an aging workforce is a necessity. Motivation is also a key component for success. It is important to teach how self-care is a major component of success.
Having control over their tasks and breaks is also important for an older workforce where fatigue is a warning sign of possible injury or development of a musculoskeletal disorder. Change in our work tasks and equipment will continue to occur as noted by the increase in sedentary jobs involving computers. Fatigue will always be a part of physical and mental work activities but the impact can be decreased with ergonomic interventions like Work & Stretch programs.
Design consultation addressing aging workers is part of the process of change. In all reality good proactive ergonomics begins in the design process. Unfortunately, we generally do not involve ergonomics until there is a problem identified. Often ergonomics is reactive. This is much more expensive then building correctly in the first place. This is where Ergonomics Consulting can be applied.
Advocacy is an important element for successful education. This is where we install the Ergo Leader program. Nations Business magazine reported as early as March of 1990 that injury risk at work was only 20% the result of work design but 80% the result of worker habit. One accepted technique of behavioral modification is peer pressure. We call this an Ergo Leader program. In this program first identify areas of high risk for MSDs. Recruit as team members workers from those areas with skills and interest in the job and safety processes. Build a team of both management and workers focused on ERGO health and safety as the primary directive. Bring in or grow your own experts with the authority to propose and effect changes.
Addressing fatigue and the needs of older workers will assist ALL workers in maintaining a health body. The result is a win-win for all parties involved. Let us begin to recognize an AGING WORKFORCE as a positive incentive for applying ergonomics principles to all work and home situations.
Ergonomics Consultants
Ergonomic Certifications
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