Elements of Ergonomics Programs A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders

University investigators, in partnership with NIOSH, undertook a case study of an ergonomics team approach in implementing control measures to reduce WMSDs at a meatpacking plant. In all, five joint management-labor teams representing different departments, each consisting of 7 to 9 members, were formed. Team-building training consisted of sessions designed to enhance the members' abilities to work together. Team-building activities included

• defining a team,

• determining the goals of an ergonomics team,

• establishing group meeting rules and team roles,

• reviewing guidelines for effective group discussion and constructive feedback, and

• practicing brainstorming exercises and techniques for consensus building.

Consistent with the approaches advocated by experts in team building, the training emphasis throughout was about the way to develop task-oriented skills and positive, interpersonal processes. Forms for documenting team members' responsibilities, records of meetings and actions taken, and other handouts served to reinforce these points.

The ergonomics training given to the teams included using videotaped instruction and practice in job analysis techniques to identify and prioritize jobs needing intervention. The video analysis used a rating technique to determine the extent of hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder movements, as well as the positions of the backs and necks of workers while they performed tasks in their departments. Job analyses used OSHA log entries, observations of job tasks, and worker input about ways to ease the difficulty of those job operations presenting the most stressful problems [Gjessing et al. 1994].