Day 1: Ergonomic Foundations, Risk Factors, and Program Development
By the end of Day 1, participants will be able to:
- Define ergonomics, anthropometrics, and the role of injury prevention within industrial and manufacturing environments
- Apply OSHA principles, current research, and evidence-based practices to establish an effective ergonomics program
- Develop an injury prevention and participatory ergonomics program that supports organizational safety goals
- Identify physical, environmental, psychophysical, and psychosocial risk factors that contribute to workplace injuries
- Utilize anthropometric principles to improve workstation design, tool selection, and worker fit
- Differentiate between job site analysis, job demands analysis, job safety analysis, and ergonomic assessment methods
- Select appropriate ergonomic evaluation tools based on workplace demands and injury risks
- Recommend engineering, administrative, work practice, training, and medical management controls to reduce risk
- Perform ergonomic cost-benefit analysis and develop practical job modification recommendations
- Conduct job demands analyses and job safety analyses to identify workplace hazards and opportunities for improvement
Day 2: Low Back Ergonomics and Manual Material Handling
By the end of Day 2, participants will be able to:
- Explain the biomechanical and epidemiological factors associated with low back disorders and workplace injury risk
- Evaluate common occupational risk factors contributing to low back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders
- Apply evidence-based low back ergonomic principles to improve workplace safety and employee performance
- Assess lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tasks using accepted manual material handling methodologies
- Select and implement ergonomic controls that reduce manual material handling injury risk
- Analyze the effectiveness of lifting techniques, body mechanics, and movement strategies during material handling tasks
- Perform ergonomic evaluations for push, pull, and carry activities using objective assessment criteria
- Evaluate sitting and standing work environments and identify interventions that reduce postural stress
- Interpret and apply NIOSH lifting guidelines and other recognized low back ergonomic assessment tools
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to minimize low back injury risk and improve worker tolerance
Day 3: Upper Extremity Ergonomics and Advanced Ergonomic Assessment Tools
By the end of Day 3, participants will be able to:
- Identify ergonomic risk factors associated with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive motion injuries
- Evaluate hand-intensive and repetitive work tasks using evidence-based ergonomic assessment methods
- Apply upper extremity ergonomic evaluation tools including RULA, REBA, Strain Index, ACGIH TLVs, and related methods
- Interpret ergonomic assessment findings to prioritize workplace risks and intervention opportunities
- Select engineering, administrative, and work practice controls that effectively reduce upper extremity injury risks
- Perform comprehensive industrial ergonomic evaluations in manufacturing, warehouse, and production environments
- Develop practical ergonomic recommendations that improve safety, productivity, and employee comfort
- Document ergonomic findings and prepare professional reports that support organizational decision-making
- Demonstrate competency using internationally recognized ergonomic evaluation tools through hands-on application
- Integrate ergonomic assessment results into a complete workplace injury prevention strategy