Ergonomics

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Ergonomics is a process that matches the job to the worker and the product to the user. A poor match can result in musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). These conditions can be brought on by:

  • Poor work environment design, including workstation and lighting;
  • Long periods of sitting or standing;
  • Working in awkward positions;
  • Manual handling tasks, involving pulling, pushing, carrying, lifting, reaching; and
  • Other factors such as vibration or the use of tools.

This topic provides information and tips to help identify ergonomic hazards and to implement control measures to help prevent injuries.

Employer duties

Employers have a duty to take every reasonable precaution to protect the occupational health and safety of persons at or near the workplace. This duty includes that workers are made familiar with the proper use of all safety features or devices, equipment, and clothing required for their protection. [OHS Act, S. 12]

To reduce ergonomic risks, the employer should:

  • Identify ergonomic risk factors in consultation with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative.
  • Evaluate the risk to workers by consulting with the workers affected by signs or symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and those who do similar work.
  • Put safe work procedures in place.
  • Provide appropriate lighting.[OHS General Regs., S. 6.1][OHS General Regs., S. 6.2]
  • Provide seating and footrests designed to minimize MSIs.
  • Provide equipment to assist with heavy or awkward loads.
  • Adjust the workload, pace, or tasks as needed.
  • Educate and train workers to identify risk factors, the early signs and symptoms of MSI, and the correct use of control measures.
  • Make sure that workers are trained in the use, limitations, and maintenance of any Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) which may be needed when other measures are not sufficient to reduce the risk of injury. Instruction must happen before workers begin using their PPE. [OHS General Regs., S. 45.3]
  • Ensure workers’ apparel does not expose the worker to unnecessary and avoidable hazards. [OHS General Regs., S. 45.1]
  • Monitor the effectiveness of control measures.

Ergonomic Assessment

An ergonomic assessment is a systematic approach to identify risk factors of MSI and develop a strategy for how to reduce or eliminate the risks, based on the individual’s abilities and needs. These solutions can range from coaching that will help change body posture to redesigning the work area. Common areas that should be assessed include:

Workplace Design: Many components such as work surfaces, seats, flooring, tools, equipment, environmental conditions, etc. influence how the worker can perform their tasks. If the workplace design does not meet the workers’ physical needs, it can create the risk for discomfort, aches and pains, fatigue, and MSIs. On the other hand, in a well-designed workplace, where items are placed within reasonable reach, the work station is adapted to the worker, and the worker has the opportunity to choose from a variety of well-balanced working positions and to change between them frequently, work can be carried out with less risk of injury.

Working Body Posture: Any body position can cause discomfort and fatigue if it is maintained for long periods of time. Assess tasks where workers must hold their body in a fixed position, or if they must bend or maintain awkward postures. Design or reorganize the work area so the worker can keep their back straight and, if possible, place the work or task to a comfortable level. Keep elbows close to the body, and reduce the need to stretch the arms overhead or out in front of the body. Tool extensions can help where it is difficult to reach the object of work. Using a stepladder or step-stool can improve the working body position where the task requires elevating the arms above the shoulder.

Encourage workers to change positions often. If sitting, try standing. If standing, distribute weight between the feet. Where possible, use a footstool or rail to rest the legs, and shift from one to the other periodically.

Pace of Work: The pace of work determines how much time working muscles have for rest and recovery between movements. Monitor the pace of work to avoid repetitive strain injuries. The faster the pace, the shorter and less productive the recovery times become. Frequent and appropriate breaks and performing stretches will help relieve muscle tension.

Tools: Tool selection is important for user safety, comfort, and health. However, even the best tool will not transform a poorly designed workstation into a safe and comfortable one for the operator. Be sure to:

  • "Bend" the tool, not the wrist; use tools with angled or "bent" handles, when appropriate.
  • Minimize the amount of force needed to activate trigger devices on power tools.
  • Reduce excessive gripping force or pressure.
  • Avoid high contact forces and static loading.
  • Avoid extreme and awkward joint positions.
  • Avoid twisting hand and wrist motion by using power tools rather than hand tools.
  • Avoid repetitive finger movements, or at least reduce their number.
  • Avoid or limit vibration.

Worker duties

Workers must: [OHS Act, S. 16]

  • Work safely and follow health and safety rules.
  • Follow all instructions, safe work practices and procedures to ensure the safe handling of the equipment.
  • Participate in training, or hazard assessments, where appropriate.
  • Properly and consistently wear required PPE.
  • Report any ergonomic hazards and early signs and symptoms of injury to the supervisor or employer.
  • Use equipment in a safe manner and for the purpose for which it was designed.

General Regulations
EC180/87

Part 6 ILLUMINATION

Section 6.1 Lighting

6.1 Every employer shall provide, while workers are present, lighting sufficient and suitable for work to be done in every workplace.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 6.2 Illumination of work areas

6.2 All work areas shall be illuminated with a minimum lighting intensity, measured in lux at a point 762 mm (30 in.) above the floor, as follows:

GENERAL LIGHTING

(a) Seldom Used Areas 100 lux (10 f.c.)

(When repair or maintenance work is to be done in such areas, temporary supplementary lighting will be necessary.)

(b) Frequently Used Areas 300 lux (30 f.c.)

(When repair or maintenance work is to be done in such areas, temporary supplementary lighting will be necessary.)

(c) Continuously Used Areas 500 lux (50 f.c.)

(These may include hallways, aisles, areas around moving machinery, etc.)

(d) Offices 650 lux - 750 lux (65 f.c. - 75 f.c.)

(e) For specific areas other than as mentioned above an officer shall determine the required illumination.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

Emergency lighting shall be provided in places of employment normally used during periods of darkness. Such emergency lighting shall provide a minimum level of 10 lux (1 f.c.) at all means of egress from the place of employment.

Part 45 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Section 45.1 Wearing apparel

45.1 The employer shall ensure that the personal wearing apparel of a worker shall be of a type and condition that will not expose the worker to any unnecessary and avoidable hazards.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 45.3 Instruction

45.3 Every employer shall ensure that every worker who is required to use personal protective equipment shall be given pre-job instruction by the employer to understand its use, its limitations, and its maintenance requirements, as far as these relate to its correct use by the worker.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. O-1.01

Section 12 Duties of employers

12. (1) An employer shall ensure

(a) that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the occupational health and safety of persons at or near the workplace;

(b) that any item, device, material, equipment or machinery provided for the use of workers at a workplace is properly maintained, and is properly equipped with the safety features or devices, as recommended by the manufacturer or required by the regulations;

(c) that such information, instruction, training, supervision and facilities are provided as are necessary to ensure the occupational health and safety of the workers;

(d) that workers and supervisors are familiar with occupational health or safety hazards at the workplace;

(e) that workers are made familiar with the proper use of all safety features or devices, equipment and clothing required for their protection; and

(f) that the employer's undertaking is conducted so that workers are not exposed to occupational health or safety hazards as a result of the undertaking.

(2) An employer shall

(a) consult and cooperate with the joint occupational health and safety committee or the representative, as applicable;

(b) cooperate with any person performing a duty or exercising a power conferred by this Act or the regulations;

(c) provide such additional training of committee members as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(d) comply with this Act and the regulations and ensure that workers at the workplace comply with this Act and the regulations; and

(e) where an occupational health and safety policy or occupational health and safety program is required under this Act, establish the policy or program.

(3) An employer shall establish and implement as a policy, in accordance with the regulations, measures to prevent and investigate occurrences of harassment in the workplace.

[S.P.E.I. 2018, c. 45, s. 3]

Section 16 Duties of worker

16. (1) A worker, while at work, shall

(a) take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker's own occupational health and safety and that of other persons at or near the workplace;

(b) cooperate with the employer and with the other workers to protect the worker's own occupational health and safety and that of other persons at or near the workplace;

(c) wear or use such individual protective equipment as is required by this Act and the regulations;

(d) consult and cooperate with the committee or representative, if any;

(e) cooperate with any person performing a duty or exercising a power conferred by this Act or the regulations; and

(f) comply with this Act and the regulations and any policy or program established by an employer pursuant to this Act or the regulations.

(2) Where a worker believes that any item, device, material, equipment or machinery, condition or aspect of the workplace is or may be dangerous to the worker's occupational health or safety or that of other persons at or near the workplace, the worker

(a) shall immediately report it to a supervisor;

(b) shall, where the matter is not remedied to the worker's satisfaction, report it to the committee or the representative, if any; and

(c) may, where the matter is not remedied to the worker's satisfaction after the worker reports it in accordance with clauses (a) and (b), report it to an officer.

(3) Clause (2)(b) does not apply in respect of a complaint of harassment in the workplace.

[S.P.E.I. 2018, c. 45, s. 4]