Sprains and strains are public enemy #1 in most work environments. They are also a tough nut to crack especially when you consider that the same risk factors that lead to occupational injuries also exist off-the-job. It takes education, training and team work to effect change.
The Disney team and Safety in Motion delivered a great presentation at ASSE's Safety 2014 in Orlando, FL, on how they are cracking that nut. The panel identified three common causal factors including:
- high force;
- awkward posture;
- extreme fatigue that drives injury exposure.
The panel shared animated training that demonstrates the effects of these causal factors and the use of a common language to communicate key ergonomic principles with their “cast members" (folks most of us call employees). Terminology such as green zone, yellow zone and red zone to indicate levels of risk related to body posture increases the likelihood that trainees will understand important training techniques. The presenters also shared the performance alignment model they use to implement their ergonomics program.
- Identify what behavior we want.
- Document source content such as ANSI, ASTM and ASME.
- Develop training, guides and other tools.
- Conduct assessments to ensure compliance with the desired behavior.
- Reinforce key training techniques through accountability and refresher training.
Ergonomics can be a highly technical and complicated field, but Disney’s structured approach, easy-to-understand yet focused training and staff ergonomics expertise to identify engineering controls is a recipe for cracking that nut.
If sprains and strains are your Public Enemy #1, I'd love to hear what you are doing to crack the nut.
Patrick J. Karol, CSP, ARM, is manager, safety and risk control with Aramark in Philadelphia, PA.
If sprains and strains are your Public Enemy #1, I'd love to hear what you are doing to crack the nut.
Patrick J. Karol, CSP, ARM, is manager, safety and risk control with Aramark in Philadelphia, PA.
