According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) resulting from overexertion in lifting, accounted for 31 percent (356,910 cases) of the total cases for all workers. BLS.gov (Nov. 2016)
The good news is that those statistics are down from prior years, however, most MSDs occur in private industry where work included laborers and freight, stock, and material movers. Workers in the age group of 45-54 had the highest number of days away from work cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2020, a quarter of all workers will be 55 or older, making occupational safety and health a priority for many industries.
OSHA recommends that employers evaluate their ergonomic hazards in the workplace and implement a systematic plan to resolve them:
The good news is that those statistics are down from prior years, however, most MSDs occur in private industry where work included laborers and freight, stock, and material movers. Workers in the age group of 45-54 had the highest number of days away from work cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2020, a quarter of all workers will be 55 or older, making occupational safety and health a priority for many industries.
OSHA recommends that employers evaluate their ergonomic hazards in the workplace and implement a systematic plan to resolve them:
1) Commitment by Top Management
The Employer’s commitment is necessary to integrate an ergonomics program and carry it out with managers, supervisors, and employees.
The Employer’s commitment is necessary to integrate an ergonomics program and carry it out with managers, supervisors, and employees.
2) Written Program
The written program should establish clear goals and objectives and have dates of completion for each program element.
The written program should establish clear goals and objectives and have dates of completion for each program element.
3) Employee Involvement
The program should allow employees to bring safety concerns forward to be evaluated and corrected without fear of reprisal.
The program should allow employees to bring safety concerns forward to be evaluated and corrected without fear of reprisal.
4) Regular Program Review and Evaluation
Procedures and mechanisms should be developed to evaluate the implementation and progress of the program on a regular basis.
Procedures and mechanisms should be developed to evaluate the implementation and progress of the program on a regular basis.
5) Onsite Analysis
All areas should be evaluated as to existing hazards and if the risk hazards can be reduced or eliminated by using different equipment.
All areas should be evaluated as to existing hazards and if the risk hazards can be reduced or eliminated by using different equipment.
For the full report of ergonomic guidelines, go to: OSHA.gov.
Do you need assistance with ergonomic equipment for your workplace? WiscoLift is a leading material handling distributor for ergonomic lifting devices. For your free consultation, please call our office at 800-242-3477 or email us at smartlift@wiscolift.com.
Remember, Working Safe is Working Smart.
#ergonomics #safety #materialhandling #wiscolift
