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Ergonomics Experiential Exercise -The Ergonomic Checklists

• A checklist is useful for somebody who does not know where to start. For the manager, often there is not enough time to consider the finer points when completing an investigation.
• The checklists will serve to remind you of various aspects of work where ergonomics can be of assistance.
• Each checklist should consider the risk factors of force, duration, and repetition.
• After completing the checklist. The analyst should be able to prioritize risk factors.
• Remember a checklist is not complete but covers most circumstances. It should be of a length to be usable in practice, utilizing the proper application of ergonomics.

Assignment: Prepare ergonomic checklists for a manufacturing production worker (trade of your choosing) , a construction worker (craft of your choosing), and an office worker [3 separate checklists].   You can any of the checklists referenced which might be found on-line.  I am looking for some thoughtful insight and not just a direct copy a published list.  Some of you may use ergonomic checklists in your organization which may serve as additional guidelines.  Many factors may be included in all three lists, but don't try to create a "one size fits all" approach.

Ergonomics Interim Assignment

1. Four solution techniques for minimizing idle capacity are given for minimizing fixed costs. Give the four and an example of each.

2. Discuss why it is beneficial to begin with the "ideal" design before addressing the "feasible" design that is based on constraints. (That is, what "should" it be before what "could" it be.)

3. Discuss why additional "benefits" (i.e., retirement program, health insurance, educational assistance, etc.) do not generally attract low-wage employees?  What are alternatives to attracting and retaining entry level workers?

4. Outline the administrative approaches to reduction of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).  Give examples.

5. What part of the body is injured in carpal tunnel syndrome?  Give some examples of how wrist joint deviation can be reduced. How might job rotation actually increase the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome? Include in your answer the concepts of individual differences in susceptibility to the disorder and why the disorder is referred to as "cumulative."

6. Explain primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of cumulative trauma disorders.  Give an example of each.

7. What is the recovery/work ratio for a worker who performs a task that lasts one minute 450 times per shift, five days per week?

8. Demonstrate how job enlargement modifies repetitive motion frequency.

9. Back injuries still are a major cause of on-the-job injuries.  Squat lifting is usually recommended instead of bend lifting. Why don't workers accept squat lifting?  What might be done to encourage proper lifting techniques?

10. A manual material handling situation involves operators picking up a 25-pound box of textbooks from a shelf and placing it on a conveyor. Both the shelf and the conveyor are directly in front of the operator. The distance from the operator's ankles to the center of the load when it is on the shelf is 10 inches. The handles on the box are at 10 inches above the floor when the box in on the shelf. When the box is set on the conveyor, the operators' hands are 30 inches in front of their body. The hands are at a height of 36 inches when the box is placed on the conveyor. The task is performed for ten minutes, four times a day. Calculate the recommended weight limit (RWL) and the lifting index (LI) for this task. What recommendations would you make to reduce the lifting index? What would be the difference in the RWL and LI if the box was filled with eggs, rather than textbooks?