Ergonomic Hazards in General Industry

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify the six primary ergonomic risk factors: force (lifting, gripping, pushing), posture (bending, reaching, twisting), repetition (same motion repeated frequently), contact stress (hard edges pressing against tissue), vibration (hand-arm and whole-body), and static position (sustained posture without movement).
• Assess workstation ergonomics for office, manufacturing, and laboratory environments: monitor height and distance, chair adjustment, keyboard/mouse positioning, work surface height, tool presentation, and the workstation design principles that accommodate the 5th to 95th percentile worker population.
• Apply the NIOSH Lifting Equation at awareness level: recommended weight limit, lifting index, the six multiplier factors (horizontal, vertical, distance, asymmetry, frequency, coupling), and how the equation determines whether a manual lifting task poses acceptable risk.
• Apply ergonomic assessment tools: RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment), Strain Index (upper extremity repetitive tasks), and the selection criteria for choosing the right assessment tool for each task.
• Design ergonomic controls using the hierarchy: engineering controls (adjustable workstations, mechanical lifting aids, tool redesign, anti-vibration), administrative controls (job rotation, micro-breaks, task variety), and the control selection that addresses the specific risk factor identified in assessment.
• Design and manage an ergonomic programme: management commitment, worker involvement in hazard identification, systematic assessment, control implementation, training, programme evaluation, and the continuous improvement that reduces MSD incidence over time.

Core Curriculum Topics

• MSD Types and Mechanisms: back injuries, CTS, tendinitis, rotator cuff, trigger finger, thoracic outlet syndrome
• Ergonomic Risk Factors: force, posture, repetition, contact stress, vibration, static position
• Workstation Ergonomics: office, manufacturing, laboratory, adjustability, anthropometry
• Manual Material Handling: NIOSH Lifting Equation, pushing, pulling, carrying, team lifting
• Upper Extremity Ergonomics: hand tools, keyboards, assembly, grip force, wrist posture
• Ergonomic Assessment Tools: RULA, REBA, Strain Index, NIOSH Lifting Equation
• Engineering Controls: adjustable workstations, mechanical aids, tool redesign, anti-vibration
• Administrative Controls: rotation, micro-breaks, task variety, work-rest scheduling
• Ergonomic Programme Design: commitment, involvement, assessment, controls, training, evaluation
• ROI Analysis: MSD reduction, workers’ comp savings, productivity gains, justifying investment

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Safety officers responsible for ergonomic hazard assessment and control
• Supervisors in manufacturing, warehousing, and office environments
• Occupational health nurses managing MSD prevention and early intervention
• HR managers managing workers’ compensation for MSD claims
• Facility managers designing or modifying workstations
• Industrial engineers involved in workspace and process design

• Ergonomic Hazards in General Industry — YOU ARE HERE
• Ergonomic Hazards in Construction Industry (construction-specific ergonomics)
• Introduction to Industrial Hygiene (includes ergonomics as one hazard category)
• International Diploma in Industrial Safety Management (ergonomics at diploma depth)