« Determining the cause of slitter blade wear | Main | Why group guiding, spreading, and wrinkling together? »
April 14, 2005
What makes a product ergonomic?
During a recent CMM International exposition in Chicago I was asked "What makes a product ergonomic and how does your new line of products qualify?" Here is my response.
A product is ergonomic, or an ergonomic solution, when it aids employers in matching human capabilities and limitations with the tools they are required to use in the workplace. Use of such products reduce the risk of Work-related Muskuloskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) which is the goal of ergonomic solutions.
Many companies have initiated programs to identify "caution zone" risk factors in their processes. Implementing light weight shafts or products that can be maintained while in the machine provide them with tools that reduce these risks and consequently, the number of incidents of back injuries. Many companies have also reduced the number of shoulder injuries associated with mechanically fastening core locking collars by changing to pneumatic core shafts.
Feedback from many plant managers is that they will spend whatever reasonable dollars necessary to provide ergonomic shafts. The investment is seen as negligible compared to the cost of a workers compensation lawsuit and the cost of lost time by the employee. They also feel it is important to demonstrate that they have done as much as possible to provide a safe work environment. State and federal legislation is also becoming a factor and large companies are very sensitive to this.
That said, it is important to note that smaller companies are responding to the issue of ergonomics, as well. One printer with three employees purchased lightweight shafts because those employees are now mature in age and find the existing steel shafts too heavy to handle. This is by far the norm rather than the exception. Our goal is to provide ergonomic solutions that not only reduce the risk of WMSDs, and increase safety, but fit within any company's budget.
Posted by Sean Craig at April 14, 2005 09:08 AM
Comments
I appreciate your thoughts on this Sean. Factors that are considered by a converting company's management team to determine "what is" and "what is not ergonomic" may include not only the actual weight of the shaft, but also how often that shaft has to be lifted and how easy that shaft is to handle. All too often however, it is only after an injury occurs that they realize an investment in light weight shafts is far less expensive than paying for an injury caused by repetitive or improper lifting.
Posted by: David Sullivan at May 18, 2005 08:37 PM
Too many companies of any size perceive they have the ability to perform their own ergonomic studies. For example taking this light weight shaft issue: Weight is only part of the problem, one has to consider the force necessary to insert the shaft or removal of the shaft. Then there is the movement to displace the shaft to a safe resting location. This usually means twisting and bending and walking. Of course there is the repetitive nature of each and every movement in the shaft handling over a given period of time that has to be studied.
We all want safer work environments and we want it at a budgeted cost that works for us. But we must have sound professional studies of movement, force and energy to determine what is needed, not a perception of what is good. Obtaing an outside source to do your studies, someone independent, you're health care provider is a good start. They will provide an unbiased determination from which you can pick and choose your improvements to match your budget.
Posted by: Bill Hill at June 15, 2005 01:00 PM
