ERGONOMICS

RULES, GUIDELINES AND ENFORCEMENT

Department of Occupational Safety and Health Johor

1

Noor Azurah Hj Abd Rahman

SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Introduction to Ergonomics Principles of Ergonomics Ergonomics Risk Factors Legal Requirements Conclusions

JKKP Malaysia

OBJECTIVES
Understand the principles of ergonomics and its application to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Understand the rules and guidelines related to ergonomics

JKKP Malaysia

INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS

JKKP Malaysia

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
ERGON + NOMOS = Ergonomic
WORK LAW OF SURROUNDING (natural law)

LAW OF WORK
(GREEK TERM)

The science of fitting the task and working environment to the worker Study of human capabilities in relationship to work demands
5

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
Adoption of the job and workplace to the worker by designing tasks depending upon:

workers capabilities limitations

fitting the task/job and work environment to workers

JKKP Malaysia 6

JKKP Malaysia

WHY WE DONT EXPECT PEOPLE TO FIT TO THINGS?

Demands and stresses imposed could leads to: discomfort errors lower productivity dissatisfaction injuries accidents

hassle

pain

WMSDs
8

WMSD Workplace MusculoS usculoSkeletal Disorders

PRINCIPLES OF ERGONOMICS

JKKP Malaysia

THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF ERGONOMIC

Adapt and shape things, machinery, jobs, tasks, environments to fit people Do not expect people to adapt or shape to fit things
JKKP Malaysia 10

11

Aim of Ergonomics Principles

to maximize health and safety, productivity, satisfaction of human needs and wants.

JKKP Malaysia

12

WORPLACE ERGONOMICS RISK FACTORS

JKKP Malaysia

13

Workplace Ergonomics Risk Factors

Risk Factor due to work activities/task which can lead to fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) symptoms and injuries or other types of problem:
Physical risk factors

Environmental factors
JKKP Malaysia 14

Physical Risk Factors

Awkward or static postures Forceful exertions Repetitive motions Contact stresses/ pressure point Vibration

JKKP Malaysia

15

Environmental Factors
Temperature hot/ cold Noise Lighting

JKKP Malaysia

16

PsychoPsycho -social Factors

Feeling stress, fatigue Feeling overloaded, too much work Monotony, bored, too little stress Lack of control, machine pacing job security and satisfaction Morale: poor profits, poor supervisor, poor management

Human needs and wants

JKKP Malaysia 17

3. What are Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD)??

Musculoskeletal system
Muscles Tendons (connection of muscles to the bones) Ligaments (connection between bones and bones) Bones Joints (junction between bones and bones) Nerves Blood vessels Spinal discs (cartilage between vertebrae body)

Body Musculoskeletal System

Continue
tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs that are result of exposure to ergonomics risk factors over time Work related indicates that they occur in relation to certain activities performed routinely on the job Other terms used : Cumulative trauma disorder, Repetitive motion disorder, Repetitive strain injuries and overuse syndrome

MSD - Disorders of muscles, nerves,

LEGAL REQUIREMENT

JKKP Malaysia

20

OBJECTIVES of Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA ) 1994

To secure the safety, health and welfare of persons at work To protect person (other than person at work) at place of work To promote the occupational environment adaptable to the persons physiological and psychological needs To provide the means towards a legislation system based on regulation and industry code of practice in combination with the provisions of the Act.
JKKP Malaysia 21

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA ) 1994

Section 15

Employers

must ensure the safety, health and welfare of their employees. To comply, employers must Provided or maintain equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risk to health. Ensure that equipment and substances are used, stored and transported safely and without risks to health. Provide information, instruction, training and supervision that ensure the safety and health of employees. Maintain their place of work in a safe condition including entrances and exits. Employers must also ensure the safety and health of visitors to the places of work.
JKKP Malaysia 22

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA ) 1994 Section 24

Employees must Cooperate with their employers in their efforts to maintain the required level of safety and health. Take reasonable care of the safety and health of one-self and others.

JKKP Malaysia

23

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA ) 1994 Section 20

Designers, Manufactures and Suppliers of equipment and substances must Ensure that products are safe and not a risk to health when properly used. Provide clear information about the safe use of their products. Make available information about research and testing.
JKKP Malaysia 24

Factories and Machinery (FMA) Act 1967

Section 12
No person shall be employed to lift load so heavy so as to cause bodily injury to him

25

Factories and Machinery (FMA) Act 1967

Section 24 - Personal Protective Clothing and Appliances
Where in any factory persons are exposed to a wet or dusty process, to noise, to heat or to any poisonous, corrosive or other injurious substances which is liable to cause bodily injury to those persons The provision and maintenance for use of those persons suitable and adequate personal protective clothing and appliances including where necessary goggles, gloves, leggings, caps, footwear and protective ointment and lotion

*Factories and Machinery (Safety, Health & Welfare) Regulations 1970, Regulations 32 (a) to (i)
26

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970

Regulation 13(1)

Confined Spaces

Where any work has to be done inside any chamber, tank, vat, pit, pressure or other vessel or other confined space in which dangerous fumes are liable to be present to such an extent as to involve risk to any person being overcome thereby, such confined space shall, unless there is other adequate means of egress, be provided with a manhole; such manhole may be rectangular, oval or circular in shape, and shall not be less than sixteen

inches wide or not less than eighteen inches in diameter if circular.

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970

Regulation 23 - Hygiene Facilities Keep them clean Leave them in the same condition as you would like to find them

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970 Regulation 24 - Work space for each worker >400ft3

29

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970 Regulation 25 - Securing and maintaining adequate ventilation
> 10 air changes for clean process > 20 air changes for process where there is a lot of fumes, smoke and heat

30

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970

Regulation 29 - Lighting

Securing and maintaining suitable lighting

Must Allow NO Eye Strain Eliminate GLARE AND REFLECTION

31

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970

Regulation 28 - Temperature Extremes securing and maintaining temperature

Environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold can place stress on tissues. Extreme cold constricts blood vessels and reduces sensitivity and coordination of body parts. Excessive heat can result in increased fatigue and heat stress.

32

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970

Regulation 30 (1) in every factory where persons employed have in the course of their employment, reasonable opportunities for sitting without detriment to their work, there shall be provided and maintained suitable and sufficient seating facilities for their use.

FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1970

Regulation 30 (2) a) there shall be provided and maintained for any person employed in that work a seat of a design, construction and dimensions suitable for him and the work, together with a foot-rest if necessary to support his feet in order to reduce fatigue; and b) the arrangement shall be such that the seat is adequately and properly supported while in use for the purpose for which it is provided.

2003

GUIDELINES RELATED TO ERGONOMICS

Under Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA ) 1994 Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health In The Office 1996 This guide outlines minimum standards for the Occupational Safety and Health for workers in the office. office environment & health safety in the office keyboard equipment rest breaks & exercise legal requirement

35

2003

Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health For Standing At Work 2002 importance of proper standing workstation risk identification and assessment control measures for standing works standing workstation principles

36

2003

Guideline On Occupational Safety And Health For Seating At Work 2003 These guidelines explain how suitable seating contributes to the safety and health of people at work, for example by helping to prevent back pain seating workstation general principle design of seating selection of seating seating in use example of seating & workstation layout

37

2003

Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health For Working With Video Display Units (VDUs) 2003
This guidelines provides explanation of questions that are most commonly asked about VDUs and its also suggests simple adjustment that can be made to the workplace to make it more comfortable and minimized.

VDU work management VDU workstation design Potential adverse health effects

38

2003

Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health For Occupational Vibration 2003

assessment for vibration measurement of vibration control measures for vibration

39

CONCLUSIONS

JKKP Malaysia

40

Benefits of Ergonomics
Decreased injuries, illnesses, and workers compensation costs Increased efficiency at work Increased physical well being Decreased absenteeism and turnover Increase in employee morale

41

JKKP Malaysia

42