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Identify the elements of the law |
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Identify the training requirements |
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Define ergonomics and its benefits |
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Recognize signs and systems of early injury |
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Identify work activities that can lead to injury |
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List examples of ergonomic principles that
reduce risk of injury |
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MRSA Title 26 – Labor and Industry |
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Chapter 5 – Health and Safety Regulations |
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Sections: 251 and 252 – Video Display Operator |
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Effective date: January 1, 1992 |
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Bureau – Bureau of Labor Standards |
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Employer – Uses 2 or more terminals |
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Operator – Four consecutive hours daily |
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Terminal – Video display terminal |
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(Does not apply to television, oscilloscopes,
cash registers, or money typewriters) |
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Training requirements |
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Under 5 employees MAY be only written |
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6 employees or more MUST be oral and written |
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Training schedule |
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Within the first month of hire |
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Annually thereafter |
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Notification of rights by posting the law and
poster that explains these rights and duties in plain language. (available
from Bureau of Labor standards – 624-6400) |
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Explanation of the proper use of the terminals |
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Protective measures to avoid symptoms |
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How to achieve and maintain proper posture |
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How to adjust your workstation equipment |
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Ergonomics: It is the science and practice of
designing jobs and workplaces to match the capabilities and limitations of
the human body. |
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Ergonomics means: fitting the job to the worker. |
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Ergonomics helps to prevent injuries |
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Ergonomics has other benefits: |
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Improved quality of work |
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Improved quality of life |
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Reduced fatigue and discomfort |
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Education on injury prevention is an important
part of safety and health |
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There are thousands of injuries, known as
WMSD’s, in Maine each year |
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(WMSD: Work-related Musculo-Skeletal Disorders) |
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Also known as: |
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Cumulative Trauma Disorders |
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Repetitive Strain Injuries |
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Overuse Injuries |
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Usually develop gradually, but sometimes can
appear suddenly |
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Can be serious, if not taken care of early |
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Discomfort, pain, dull ache |
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Decreased range of motion, tightness |
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Numbness, tingling |
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Change of color |
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Swelling of joint or limb |
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Decreased grip strength |
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Repetitive motion |
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Forceful exertion |
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Awkward posture |
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Mechanical pressure |
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Cold temperatures |
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Stress |
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Nutritional deficiencies |
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Poor lighting |
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Prolonged standing in one place |
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Sitting (poor posture) |
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Working with neck flexed |
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Age |
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General health |
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Heredity |
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Posture |
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Diet |
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Activities |
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Duration of exposure (how long) – usually need
hours of exposure before risk factors become a concern. |
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Frequency of exposure (how often) |
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Intensity of exposure (how much) |
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Combinations of factors |
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Foot rests, shifting weight |
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Well designed, adjustable, supportive seating |
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Work surfaces at appropriate height |
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Change positions frequently |
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Routine stretch breaks |
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The right size |
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Lumbar support |
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Proper height |
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Armrests (removable) |
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Pan |
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Good foundation |
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Adjustable while sitting or seated |
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The monitor should be directly in front of you |
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Top of screen should be eye level |
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A copy stand should be adjacent to or in front
of the monitor |
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Adjust brightness and contrast |
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Spread keyboard work throughout the day |
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Use macros for common functions |
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Take stretch pauses |
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Improve your posture and move around as much as
possible |
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Bright lighting may “wash out” the image making
it hard to see which will cause eye fatigue. |
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Lighting should be indirect or “task lighting”
should be used to reduce wash out or glare. |
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Screen 90o angle to window |
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Drapes or blinds |
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Avoid bright lights |
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Screen hood |
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Walls, work surfaces non-reflective |
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Keep screen clean |
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Adjust color, contrast, and brightness |
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Recognize and report symptoms |
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Get involved in ergonomics |
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Perform an Ergonomic Risk Assessment |
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Identify the Hazards – use the attached
checklist. |
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Assess the Risk – how often do you do your job,
your health, posture, workstation evaluation (attached). |
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Control the risks – Adjust your workstation to
fit your ergonomic needs. |
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Report symptoms if: |
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Pain is persistent, severe or worsening |
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Pain radiates |
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Symptoms include numbness or tingling |
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Symptoms keep you from sleeping at night |
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Chronic symptoms can lead to disabling injuries,
even surgery |
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Early treatment is more successful |
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Even
when the workstation design and environmental factors are at their best, a
worker can suffer discomfort and injuries from factors related to the work
process. |
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Ergonomics can help you on your job and at home |
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WMSD’s can happen in jobs with risk factors |
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Risk factors can be reduced and WMSD’s prevented |
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Reporting symptoms early is important |
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You can help by following good ergonomic
practices |
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Your supervisor |
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MDOL/Bureau of Labor Standards |
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Telephone No. 624-6463 |
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Fax No. 624-6449 |
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http://www.state.me.us/labor/bls/saftwkrs.htm |
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Feeling Good On Your Job - Publication |
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OSHA – http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html |
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OSHA – www.OSHA.gov |
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