Guides & Toolkits

6 800-ARM-01-IMOT © 2019, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | wsps.ca "When it comes to addressing ergonomic issues," says WSPS ergonomist Mike Lanigan, "small business employers tell me they face three big challenges: cost, time, and resources. These are very real challenges for businesses of any size," continues Mike, "but low-tech, low-cost solutions exist." Mike shared with WSPS six tactics that can help people work more comfortably and efficiently, and require little "talk, time and resources" to implement. 1. Observe and communicate. One of the first things I encourage when I do a walk-through at a workplace is to visually observe job tasks and identify potential musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards. Are people hunched over their work? Lifting awkwardly? Reaching above their shoulders? If so, adjust the work surface, racking and working heights, positioning to help workers maintain a neutral posture and reduce reach. 2. Provide a lifting or carrying device if the work involves a lot of manual material handling – lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying. Use a dolly or cart to move boxes, which can significantly reduce the amount of lifting and carrying required. Also, implement a two-person lift for slightly heavy or awkward loads. 3. Add ergonomics to decision-making when modifying or purchasing tools and equipment. For example, when purchasing a hand tool take into account the weight, amount of vibration, and grip required, to reduce the amount of effort and strain on the arm or wrist. Involve management and/or workers who use the equipment. They use the equipment daily and may have great advice and suggestions on how to perform the job tasks more efficiently and comfortably. 4. Train supervisors and the health and safety representative on how to recognize, assess and control MSD hazards, and if resources allow train all workers. With a small business you have a smaller workforce, so it wouldn't take long to train one or two people or even all employees. Have the training focus on the workplace's primary MSD hazards and common tasks. MSDPrevention.com is a great free resource to accomplish this. 5. Provide everyone with basic awareness training on ergonomics (e.g., how to recognize awkward postures, high forces or repetition) to establish a baseline understanding of the hazards, and so that people will feel comfortable identifying MSD hazards and be able to watch out for themselves and each other. 6. Check out products at trade shows, especially if the vendors have ergonomic expertise. Trade shows are a great hands-on opportunity for testing products and asking questions. Often the shows have low or no entrance fees. Send workers (i.e., the users) as well as supervisors, who will have a broader sense of how well products or solutions would fit their workplace. 6 Low-Tech, Low-Cost Ergo Solutions for Small Business WSPS.CA

• Cover