HomeMy WebLinkAbout700-29POLICY & PROCEDURE
Subject: Ergonomics Program Index: Human Resources and Risk
Management
Number: 700-29
Effective Date:
5/28/2024
Supersedes:
n/a
Page:
1 of 3
Staff Contact:
Kim Gilman
Approved By:
1.0 PURPOSE:
This policy supports a safe and hazard-free environment for City of Renton employees
by establishing an ergonomics program. The purpose of an ergonomics program is to
apply ergonomic principles to the workplace to reduce the number and severity of
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), thus decreasing workers’ compensation claims and,
where possible, increasing productivity, quality, and efficiency.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
All departments/divisions
3.0 REFERENCES:
City of Renton Policy 700-02, Hazard Reporting
City of Renton Policy 700-05, Accident Prevention Program
Appendix A: Risk Spotting Checklist
Appendix B: Job Hazard Analysis
Appendix C: Simple Solutions Checklist
Appendix D: Hazard and Solution Tracking Worksheet
Appendix E: Ergonomic Assessment Tools
Appendix F: Job Risk Priority Worksheet
All appendices are also available on the City of Renton Risk Management SharePoint.
4.0 POLICY:
This policy establishes the City of Renton Ergonomic Safety Program, which is part of
Policy 700-05, Accident Prevention Program. The program includes the minimum
requirements for an integrated, effective, and sustainable process to protect employees
700-29 Ergonomics
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from the risk factors which cause work-related MSD injuries. This program is a
collaborative effort that includes all employees.
5.0 DEFINITIONS:
Ergonomic Stressors: Ergonomic Stressors are defined as conditions that pose a
biomechanical stress to the human body associated with an increased risk for
development of MSDs. These stressors include but are not limited to repetition, force,
extreme postures, static postures, quick motions, contact pressure, vibration, and cold
temperatures.
Ergonomics: The science of fitting jobs to people. It is accomplished at the City of
Renton using a systematic process for anticipating, identifying, analyzing, and
controlling MSD hazards.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. MSDs do not include disorders caused by
slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or other similar accidents.
6.0 PROCEDURES:
6.1 Training
6.1.1 Employees receive training on ergonomics as part of new hire
orientation; refresher training on a regular basis depending on job
assignment; and retraining when changes are made to work processes,
equipment, or tools.
6.1.2 Topics covered in training include:
• Basic ergonomic principles,
• Risks of MSDs specific to employee work,
• Work methods and proper use of tools and equipment to reduce the
risk of injury,
• How to report hazards and make suggestions for improving jobs, and
• Early symptoms of MSDs and how to report them.
6.1.3 Training records with the date, trainer, topics covered, and attendees
must be kept.
6.2 Hazard Identification
6.2.1 Supervisors and employees are encouraged to identify and report
ergonomic hazards using workplace walkthroughs, team discussions,
700-29 Ergonomics
p. 3
and/or Job Hazard Analysis. See Appendix A, Risk Spotting Checklist, and
Appendix B, Job Hazard Analysis.
6.2.2 If an identified hazard has an obvious solution, the affected employee is
encouraged to mitigate the hazard directly whenever possible using their
knowledge, skills, and training. Consultation with immediate supervisors
is advised to ensure the mitigation is appropriate, does not increase
other hazards, is cost effective, and can be shared across the workplace
when and where appropriate. See Appendix C, Simple Solutions Checklist.
6.2.3 Ergonomic hazards and solutions should be tracked using Appendix D,
Hazard and Solution Tracking Worksheet.
6.2.4 If the identified ergonomic hazard cannot be immediately mitigated by
the employee, the supervisor should be informed. Use of the hazard
reporting process in Policy 700-02, Hazard Reporting, is encouraged.
6.3 Hazard Assessment
6.3.1 When an identified hazard requires a more detailed assessment, a
specific Ergonomic Assessment Tool may be useful. See Appendix E,
Ergonomic Assessment Tools, or request an assessment by contacting
Risk Management.
6.3.2 If there are several jobs with potential hazards, use Appendix F, Job Risk
Priority Worksheet, to decide which ones to address first.
6.4 Hazard Solutions
6.4.1 Ergonomic stressors should be dealt with on a departmental basis
whenever possible.
6.4.2 Upon request, Risk Management will work with the requesting
department in minimizing, or eliminating, when possible, the hazard. If
necessary, Risk Management can assist in recommending appropriate
professional services and or consultations for an evaluation.
6.4.3 Employees should be retrained on any changes to processes, equipment,
or tools, even if the change is providing a solution.
6.4.4 Ergonomic hazards and solutions should be tracked using Appendix D,
Hazard and Solution Tracking Worksheet.
700-29 Ergonomics
p. 4
6.5 Evaluation of Solutions
6.5.1 After Two to Four Weeks: Supervisors should check-in with employees to
ensure that the solution is working and is not creating any new hazards or
other problems.
6.5.2 After Three to Six Months: Risk Management will contact the supervisor
and/or employee to conduct a follow-up worksite evaluation to measure
the effectiveness and/or implementation status of the
recommendation(s).
6.5.3 Annually: Risk Management will review injury reports to make sure that
solutions have prevented MSDs and will look at how effective solutions
have been in improving employee well-being, productivity, and work
quality.
Instructions for the Risk Spotting Checklist
0 Washington State Department of
Labor & Industries
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
•Walk through your workplace and watch employees as they work.
•Check off risks as you see them, and write down the jobs or activities where they happen.
•Talk to supervisors and employees about any risks that are part of the job that you may not have
seen during the walk-through, and mark those down too.
Risks Explained
Risk Look for:
Lifting Heavy items; frequent lifting; lifting from below the knees, above the
shoulders, while reaching or twisting; one-handed lifting
Carrying Heavy or bulky items; carrying more than 25 feet
Pushing/Pulling Obvious effort; pushing or pulling more than 25 feet
Gripping Using hand tools; holding parts; gripping with the whole hand with obvious
effort
Pinching Holding small tools or parts between the tips of the fingers and the thumb
Repetitive Making the same or similar motions several times per minute; frequent or
movements constant movement of the hands and arms
Wrist bending Obvious bending at the wrist -toward the palm, toward the back of the hand,
or side-to-side
Hands overhead Holding the arms up with the hands at or above the head; repeatedly reaching
up with the hands at or above the head
Reaching Reaching forward or to the side from the shoulder with little or no bend in the
elbow; reaching behind the body
Neck bending or Tipping the head down; tipping the head back to look up; tilting the head with
twisting the ear toward the shoulder; twisting to look to the side
Back bending or Bending or stooping forward or to the side; bending backwards; twisting at the
twisting waist
Kneeling/Squatting Getting down on one or both knees; squatting down without something to sit
on
Vibration from hand Using tools with a medium to high amount of vibration -sanders, drills,
tools circular saws, grinders, reciprocating saws, chainsaws, breakers, and so on
Vibration from Driving trucks, buses, off-road equipment, forklifts, passenger vehicles, and so
driving on
Pressure points Contact between a soft part of the body and a sharp edge or hard surface;
using a hand tool with narrow, unpadded handles; carrying something by
holding a narrow handle or sharp corner; kneeling on a hard floor or the
ground
Other risks Write in any injury risks that you notice that aren't covered in the rest of the
checklist
Instructions for the Risk Spotting Checklist
Appendix A
Appendix B: Job Hazard Analysis
Job:
. (Company name and address ) Department or location:
JHA by:
Date:
Task or Step Hazards Controls Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Instructions:
Use this basic form “as is” to identify hazards, controls, and PPE at the job task (or step) level. You can modify the form to meet any
additional needs of your workplace. JHA hazard information can be used to develop separate safe work procedures for employee use.
Job: You need to first select a job (or main activity) to observe and analyze.
Tasks or Steps: List tasks or steps that are part of the job you selected in the “Task” column.
Example: “Operating a table saw” would be the job while “Installing a blade” and “Ripping” would be separate tasks.
Hazards: Note any condition in the workplace that can potentially cause occupational injury, death, or disease. Assume that no
personal protective equipment is being worn- even if it is because hazards could persist if PPE isn’t used. You may choose to add detail
about how injuries could occur due to the hazard.
Examples of hazards include: working at heights, slippery surfaces, exposed moving machinery parts, fire, explosion, noise,
electricity, toxic emissions, corrosive chemicals, low oxygen, repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, infectious Bloodborne pathogens,
assault, and homicide.
Examples of how injuries can occur: work at height can result in falls that can result in broken bones, paralysis, or death; noise
exposure can cause permanent and severe ringing in the ears and hearing loss; exposure to corrosive chemicals can cause
permanent skin damage and blindness; and working in low oxygen areas can lead to sudden suffocation, unconsciousness, and
death.
Controls: Note how you will eliminate or minimize the hazard. This doesn’t include PPE.
Examples of controls include: Using a safer tool or equipment or chemical, adding safeguards to machinery, using safer work
practices, using local exhaust ventilation for toxic emissions, and enclosing noisy equipment or moving workers away from such
equipment to reduce exposure levels.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Detail what type of PPE is needed for each hazard that can’t be eliminated or minimized using
controls.
Simple Solutions Checklist
Use this checklist to find problems and make a plan to fix them.
You can review the Simple Solutions here.
Store it off the floor
Where
can we
do this?
Who will
take care
of it?
By when?
Push, don't pull
Where
can we
do this?
Who will
take care
of it?
By when?
Keep it close
Where
can we
do this?
Who will
take care
of it?
By when?
Appendix C
.,-Washington State Department of U Labor & Industries Hazard and Solution Tracking Worksheet
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Use this worksheet to record the hazards you find and track the progress made to find and implement solutions.
Job Problem Solution Person responsible Taraet date Completed
Appendix D
Appendix E: Ergonomics Assessment Tools
Appendix F: Job Risk Priority Worksheet