The Workplace Ergonomics Program

Active Surveillance

Active Surveillance is the solicitation of information before the occurrence of an event which would precipitate a complaint. Active surveillance can be conducted at two levels of specificity.

Level 1. Active Surveillance is less detailed.

a. Periodic Walkthroughs. A walkthrough is useful in increasing the visibility and accessibility of ergonomic team and health and safety professional. It also acquaints health care and safety staff with various areas.

b. Surveys. The symptoms survey is a widely-used tool in active surveillance. It is useful in early identification of problems as well as for assessing the effectiveness of interventions. There are other such survey tools e.g., fatigue surveys, back history surveys.

c. Hazard Evaluations. Service unit ergonomics teams evaluate jobs. Use of checklists facilitates this process. The purpose is to observe, document and assess risk factors present.

Level 2. Active Surveillance is more detailed.

a. Health Interviews and Physical Examinations. To assure effective medical management, it is necessary to establish an approach which incorporates a baseline evaluation, a postconditioning period evaluation and a periodic assessment. These are in the form of health interviews and physical examinations. The target population is asymptomatic employees already in or being placed in high risk jobs, as well as symptomatic employees.

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF JOBS

Job AnalysisJob Analysis in an ergonomics program is a systems approach to identify work activities that may result in or contribute to overexertion injuries and disorders of the back and upper extremities, often referred to as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). The objective is to identify work activities that may result in or contribute to overexertion injuries and disorders of the back and upper extremities, often referred to as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). The systems approach identifies generic risk factors such as forceful exertions, awkward postures, localized contact stresses, vibration, temperature extremes, and repetitive motions or prolonged activities which may contribute to injury/illness. The process involves documentation and study of the work by service unit ergonomics teams. It includes the worker, the supervisor, and specialists trained and experienced in recognition and assessment of ergonomic risk factors. Completion of the job analysis results in identification of ergonomic stresses, design of interventions and follow-up evaluation of the interventions.

There are two levels of job analysis. They are:

Surveys/Walkthroughs (Level 1) are a basic method of identifying risk factors associated with the performance of work. Service unit ergonomics teams, in consultation with health care and safety professionals, conduct the surveys. Checklists are useful in completion of the survey/walkthrough. Other resource material is available in Safety Services.

Analysis (Level 2): Ergonomics team members conduct detailed job analysis in work areas after determining and prioritizing those jobs that warrant analysis. All personnel conducting ergonomic job analysis must have received specific training in ergonomic job analysis and intervention techniques. The job analysis process identifies and ranks specific risk factors, documents job attributes, and assesses ergonomic stress factors.

a. Documentation: The following constitute documentation of the job analysis:

(1) Position description: The official position description permits the analyst to compare job function to the intended goal/objective. It is possible that the findings of the analysis may support changes in position descriptions.

(2) Direct observation: Risk factors in a job or work area studied can be determined by direct observation. The analysis includes, as necessary, upper extremity repetitive measurements for total hand manipulations per cycle, cycle time and total manipulations or cycles per shift. Where appropriate force measurement determinations are needed these can be estimated as an average effort or peak force. Force measurements can be obtained using appropriate test equipment (if available).

(3) Supervisor/employee interviews: Staff, including labor organization representatives, provide a broad knowledge base regarding job history and problems. All job analysis includes on-site interviews with employees, supervisors, and labor organization representatives.

(4) Videotaping is the preferred method of documenting a specific job analysis, in most cases. It helps the analyst understand the task demands on the worker, and how each worker accomplishes the task. Videotaping requires the presence and activity of the worker. Use of a checklist aids in accurate documentation of conditions present during the analysis. Where videotape equipment is not available use of a checklist is even more important.

b. Assessment of Ergonomic Stresses: During the detailed analysis, some specific actions and/or potential stressors are evaluated for impact on the worker. There are four specific stressors for which the analyst should be alert. They are noted below.

(1) Repeated and sustained static exertions: Does the performance of work, required in the position description, require these exertions, or do they result from a work practice?