Ergonomic Hazard Control Options

Once ergonomic hazards have been identified, the next step is to select controls that eliminate hazards or reduce workers' exposure to them.

When selecting controls, follow the Hierarchy of Controls. First consider elimination or substitution. If those options are not practical, consider engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE), in that order.

Force: Lifting or lowering

Eliminate the need to manually lift or lower objects by changing work design or processes. If that is not practical, use engineering controls such as hoists, pallet jacks, carts, or conveyors.

Additional control options include:

• Minimize load sizes. For example, work with suppliers to order loads in smaller containers.
• Minimize the distance between loads and workers. For example, use turntables and keep obstructions away from the front of loads.
• Minimize the vertical distance over which loads are lifted or lowered. Optimize work heights to encourage lifting and lowering between knee and elbow heights.
• Avoid tasks above shoulder height by limiting shelf heights and improving storage practices.
• Avoid stooped or twisted postures by situating workstations to minimize twisting.
• Improve grip on loads by providing handles or handholds where feasible.
• Minimize carrying distances by optimizing workflow.
• Change task design where possible. For example, convert a lifting task into a pushing or pulling task.
• Schedule alternate duties and allow micro-pauses so muscles can recover.

Force: Pushing, pulling, or carrying

Eliminate the need to manually push, pull, or carry objects by changing work design or processes. If that is not practical, use engineering controls such as conveyors, hoists, and gravity-fed systems.

Design of work areas

• Minimize the distance workers need to push, pull, or carry loads.
• Avoid placing loads where workers must use awkward postures to start or maintain movement.
• Ensure visibility is not restricted when workers are pushing loads.
• Plan pathways that avoid uneven, sloped, damaged, or high-friction surfaces.

Design of equipment

• Provide equipment that is appropriate for the task and environment. Consider size, material, weight, durability, manoeuvrability, and handling requirements.
• Establish regular preventive maintenance programs.
• Use handles that workers can grasp between waist and elbow height. Vertical or adjustable handles can accommodate workers of different heights.
• Ensure the size, number, and type of wheels or casters are appropriate for the floor surface and load.
• For carrying tasks, use handles that are easy and comfortable to grasp and allow the load to remain close to the body.

Other considerations

• Train workers to push rather than pull and to push or pull rather than carry.
• Secure loads on equipment using belts, clamps, or other devices.
• Avoid awkward postures when moving loads.
• Keep floors clean and free of debris.
• Ensure floors are not slippery.

Force: Gripping or pinching

Reduce or eliminate the need to manually grasp or handle objects where possible. If that is not practical, use tools or equipment that improve grip.

Additional control options include:

• Select tools and equipment that promote a power grip and neutral wrist posture.
• Use boxes with cut-outs or handles that allow workers to use a power grip.
• Consider vibration levels and anti-vibration design features when purchasing tools and equipment.
• Reduce the time workers spend manually gripping objects by rotating tasks where appropriate.
• Ensure gloves fit properly and support safe gripping.
• When vibration-dampening gloves are required, ensure they are ISO approved.

Repetition

Reduce or eliminate repetition by rotating workers to tasks that use different muscle groups, postures, and physical demands throughout the day. If that is not practical, use equipment, tools, or automation to reduce repetition.

Additional control options include:

• Design jobs with a pace that workers can perform safely.
• Increase task variety so workers use different muscles and postures throughout the day.
• Rotate jobs or tasks where appropriate.
• Eliminate unnecessary repetition. For example, reduce the need to scan a grocery item or turn lumber for grading multiple times.
• Schedule regular breaks and encourage micro-pauses.

Work posture

Reduce or eliminate awkward postures where possible. If that is not practical, adjust work heights, reduce reaching distances, or change how the work is performed.

Additional control options include:

• Design workstations so frequently used items are within easy forward reach.
• Use conveyor arms, turntables, or similar equipment to move materials closer to workers.
• Use adjustable workstations to optimize working heights:
  • Above elbow height for precision work
  • Below elbow height for mechanical or assembly work
  • At waist height for heavy work
• Position objects directly in front of workers to reduce reaching and twisting.
• Use tools designed to reduce awkward postures, such as angled-handle tools, longer tools, power tools, or mechanical turners.
• Allow workers to change posture regularly to avoid static positions.
• Use sit-stand desks, footrests, or low stepstools where appropriate.
• Raise work off the floor using lift tables or scissor lifts to reduce stooping, squatting, and kneeling.

Local contact stress

Eliminate or reduce exposure to local contact stress by selecting appropriate tools and equipment or redesigning the workstation.

Control options include:

• Modify equipment to prevent hard edges from digging into the skin. For example, use a long-handled screwdriver that prevents pressure on the palm.
• Modify workstations to remove sharp edges or pressure points by rounding or padding exposed edges.
• Avoid using body parts as tools.
• Use PPE where appropriate, such as knee pads for kneeling tasks or padded gloves when lifting objects with narrow strapping.

Environmental conditions

Consider how vibration, lighting, and hot or cold temperatures interact with other ergonomic hazards and increase MSI risk.

Control options include:

• Select equipment with vibration-damping features or isolate the source of vibration.
• Maintain equipment regularly to reduce vibration exposure.
• Reduce the duration of vibration exposure through job rotation or other administrative controls.
• Improve lighting and reduce glare to prevent awkward postures caused by poor visibility.
• Regulate workplace temperatures where possible.
• For heat, consider controls such as shading, overhead fans, or air-conditioning units.
• For cold, consider controls such as space heaters or exterior doors that close automatically.

Organization of work

Consider how work rate, recovery time, and task variability affect MSI risk.

Control options include:

• Plan and schedule tasks so workers do not use the same muscles repetitively for long periods.
• Use job rotation or job enlargement to reduce repetition.
• Provide recovery breaks for repetitive or demanding tasks.
• Allow for micro-pauses and alternating work postures.
• Ensure work pace allows workers to maintain neutral postures and safe repetition rates.
• Consult workers about the pace of their work.
• Consider how overtime and incentive-based work may increase MSI risk.
• Ensure management provides the resources, training, scheduling support, and communication needed to reduce risk.