Ergonomic Improvements: NIOSH Study Takeaways

A new National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health study provides employers a starting point for developing ergonomic safety standards. 

Safety managers at a large logistic agency requested a health hazard evaluation at one of their Georgia facilities after determining musculoskeletal was a primary area of concern. 

Specifically, leaders were concerned about logistics employees performing general warehousing and forklift operations.

The nearly 500 people working at the facility are assigned to various tasks including picking, packing, processing, storing, loading, and unloading. 

Key Findings, Recommendations

NIOSH officials observed work at the facility, measured workstations, and interviewed dozens of employees. 

Officials said most workstations were not ergonomically designed to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the most common potentially work-related pain employees reported was in their back and shoulders. 

The recommendations are based on a widely-accepted hierarchy of controls approach that groups actions by their likely effectiveness in reducing or removing hazards. 

“Our ergonomic evaluation identified potential hazards related to these job tasks, including heavy lifting and the double handling required when unloading items from conveyor lines into the triwall container,” officials noted. 

NIOSH officials outlined a number of recommendations to reduce heavy lifting and ensure appropriate ergonomic design of workshops.

The recommendations are based on a widely-accepted hierarchy of controls approach that groups actions by their likely effectiveness in reducing or removing hazards. 

Risk Reduction

Officials said the best way to prevent and control work-related musculoskeletal disorders is through design. 

Within the facilities, NIOSH officials recommended the company ensure hand working heights on conveyors range from 38 to 49 inches. 

Officials said the best way to prevent and control work-related musculoskeletal disorders is through design. 

“Consider where the employee handles the load, that is, at the top, middle, or bottom of the item,” officials wrote. 

They also suggested reorganizing stock and placing all large items on pallets to make it easier for employees using material handling equipment. 

Additionally, they suggested providing anti-fatigue mats for employees who stand as part of their job. 

Input and Encouragement 

Beyond specific equipment adjustments, NIOSH recommended the company get regular input from employees about workplace safety and health issues and in turn, use the input to improve work conditions. 

This can be done by creating a specific committee with management, employee, and union representatives to gather input and determine best practices on a regular basis. 

Officials said it is also important for the company to encourage employees to report health concerns they think are work related because recognizing symptoms early can reduce the severity of an injury. 

NIOSH acknowledged personal factors can impact a worker’s susceptibility to MSDs, but concluded that personal factors are small compared to those caused by occupational exposure.