Industrial Ergonomic Evaluation Details

 

Industrial ergonomic evaluations encompass a review and analysis of any job task performed outsideof the office/computer workstation environment.  This includes but is not limited to: 

 

  • Laboratory work (pipetting, microscope, etc.) 
  • Custodial work 
  • Manual materials handling (lifting, pushing, pulling) 
  • Animal care & handling 
  • Shipping & Receiving Operations (mail handling) 
  • Food service & Preparation 

 

Any  job or set of job tasks performed by a CSU employee should ideally be evaluated for ergonomic risk. Much as is the case in office ergonomics, the primary goal of industrial ergonomic evaluations is the identification and elimination of ergonomic risk with the implementation of proper ergonomics control strategies. Rather than a chair or keyboard, this might be a lift table, conveyor, or hoist. With the proper changes, the risk for injury can be reduced, along with a reduction in absenteeism, lost time, etc. as well as an increase in productivity, efficiency, and employee morale.  

 

After submitting the online ergonomic evaluation request form, a qualified member of the CSU ergonomics team will be in touch to coordinate a time and day for the ergonomic evaluation. CSU Office of Risk Management & Insurance Ergonomics Program offers two levels of industrial ergonomic evaluations. 

Ergonomic Evaluation Types

Two types of office ergonomic evaluations are currently offered and differ by the amount of detail provided. If you are unsure which evaluation is appropriate, select  Level 2 – Comprehensive Evaluation.

Level 1 Evaluation (Brief)

An ergonomic specialist will visit the job site and provide a concise/brief ergonomics risk assessment (ERA) of a job and related tasks. The evaluation can be of a single task within a job or all tasks within that job. Shorter, more concise, and qualitative methods to identify if there is an exposure to ergonomic hazards and injury risk factors will be utilized in a Level 1 evaluation. This includes using checklists, obtaining pictures/video, getting a layout of the workstations, environment, asking questions of employees and supervisors, etc. Although qualitative in nature, this evaluation is a quick and simple method to identify potential problems with a task, environment, tool, or process. This evaluation can also be used to help the ergonomics team determine if further more detailed and comprehensive ergonomic risk evaluation (Level 2) is warranted.  

If the Level 1 evaluation indicates that there is exposure to injury risk factors and further investigation is needed, a Level 2 evaluation may follow to quantify the risk and determine where time, resources, and funding is best allocated. A level 1 evaluation may be a starting point for the ergonomics team in order to determine the amount or level of risk present in a job or if there is uncertainty by a requesting supervisor or employee when initially requesting an evaluation. This type of evaluation may also be used as part of training with a potential employee/supervisor ergonomics team.

Although an employee, supervisor, or department may request a Level 1 evaluation initially, it may be necessary for a Level 2 evaluation to follow or replace the Level 1 evaluation if the job tasks performed, workstation layout and design, etc. warrants such an evaluation. This will need to be determined by an ergonomic specialist during the evaluation process. Ultimately, a Level 1 evaluation can help determine if there is a problem to begin with and a Level 2 evaluation can help determine how big the problem is and where to begin.

It is not required to have a Level 1 evaluation prior to requesting a Level 2 evaluation. 

Level 2 Evaluation (Detailed)

An ergonomic specialist will visit the job site and provide a detailed ergonomics risk assessment (ERA) of a job and related tasks. An evaluation may be of a single task or multiple tasks performed within a job. This varies by situation. Comprehensive and quantitative methods to identify the level of ergonomic risk will be mostly utilized in a Level 2 evaluation. (Although some subjective and qualitative measures may also be used).

Prior to the ergonomic risk assessment (ERA), the ergonomics specialist may want to meet with and interview managers, supervisors and/or employees to ask questions about the job, review history of injuries, obtain additional information about the job, its physical demands and requirements, problematic, concerning and/or difficult tasks, known risk factors, etc. After this interview is completed, the ERA will take place. This may be on the same day as the interview or on another scheduled day entirely. The ERA process can be lengthy and can take several hours and potentially several days. This depends on the number, nature, and complexity of the job and its tasks.

The ergonomic specialist will ask the employee(s) to perform regular work in real-time so that observation and analysis can take place. This observation time allows the specialist to identify any exposure to injury risk factors (including but are not limited to force, frequency, duration, awkward posture and contact stress), and gather any other necessary data (e.g., work surface height, reach distance, weights lifted, pushing/pulling forces, pinch/grip force, postures, frequencies, duration, etc.) to determine the level of exposure. Environmental factors such as lighting and noise will also be evaluated (where applicable).

Although the ergonomics specialist needs to see tasks performed in real-time, questions about the tasks, forces, postures, etc. may arise and will be asked when necessary. Employees simply need to answer questions honestly. In order to perform a thorough and accurate ERA, the ergonomics specialist needs to understand the job and its requirements as best they can.

To complete the ERA, the ergonomics specialist will need to obtain both photos and videos. This allows the ergonomic specialist to document posture, frequency and duration, equipment dimensions, and overall work processes performed. Photos/videos are used only for the ERA process and potentially. Photos/video will also be used for the ERA report which will be kept on file at CSU. Photos/video will also be analyzed using an artificial intelligence – motion capture system (where applicable/feasible). This allows for a quicker and more precise determination of postural risk factors.

Once all of the data, information, measurements, photos/video, etc., have been collected, the ergonomic specialist will conclude the observation and evaluation. Analysis of the data and information collected by the ergonomics specialist Reba scoring chartwill be conducted as quickly as possible. After all data has been analyzed, a member of the ergonomics team will be in touch with the appropriate personnel in the department to discuss and review the identified ergonomic hazards and injury risk factors present, review a draft of the evaluation report, and discuss potential solutions which can help minimize the risk for injury. The evaluation report will detail the ergonomic hazards identified, risk assessment scores (which are broken down into 9 areas of the body), the likely cause of risk factor exposure, as well as potential solutions which can help minimize the risk for injury.  The ergonomic evaluation report is commonly provided to the best contact person in the department, whether that be an employee, supervisor, manager, etc. This can then be shared as needed with the appropriate individuals in the department.

One of the primary goals of a quantitative ergonomic risk assessment is to identify risk for injury so that both the ergonomics team and department will understand where risk is present, the level/amount of risk, and tasks that should be given the highest priority for mitigation of risk. (Higher risk job tasks should be given greater focus and attention).


Ergonomic Evaluations for Work-Related Injury

In the case of a report of a work-related of injury, the Level 2 evaluation process from above will be utilized along with similar and related physical demands analysis (PDA). Read more here – Understanding PDA and Ergonomic services

Photos/video will need to be taken as part of the evaluation process (and use of AI/Motion capture) and will be included in the ergonomic evaluation report, which will be provided to the Authorized Treating Physician (ATP), the CSU Workers’ Compensation team and CSU’s insurance company. Wearable equipment such as electrogoniometers may also need to be worn by the employee to gather precise data required for the workers’ compensation claim (this varies on situation and the part of the body reported as injured).

If an injured employee cannot perform their normal/regular job tasks (i.e., due to restrictions given by a physician), a willing co-worker can fill in. However, this individual would need to be okay with being observed for several hours, videotaped, etc. Along with observation, photos and videos, more detailed measurements may also be needed and may include but are not limited to grip force, weight lifted, the force to push/pull, reach distances, heights, etc. 

Please contact the ergonomics manager with questions.

Contact CSU Ergonomics
(970) 491-2724