Workplace Ergonomics Specialist Classroom

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) result when there is a mismatch between the physical capacity of workers and the demands of the job. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability of people in their working years, afflicting over 19 million workers.

After completion of this training, the student will have acquired the knowledge, skills and abilities to:

• Define ergonomics and identify different types of musculoskeletal disorder injuries (MSD) to recognize the importance of ergonomics in the workplace.
• Identify the signs, symptoms, and significance of MSD injuries in the workplace to better understand the industry recommendations and guidelines for ergonomics.
• Identify important events and decisions in the history of ergonomics to recognize changes in attitudes and actions concerning ergonomics in the workplace.
• Identify ergonomic risk factors inherent in the employee, job, and environment to be able to evaluate these risks in the workplace.
• Recognize risk factor controls that best suit the level of risk identified in the workplace so that MSD injuries can be prevented.
• Describe the elements of an effective ergonomics program so that these elements can be implemented in the workplace.
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of employers, employees, and medical providers in an ergonomics program so that the program can be implemented effectively.
• Describe best practices in ergonomics for a variety of environments and industries in order to prevent MSD injuries in specific workplaces.
• Use the Strain Index and RULA Assessment Tools to analyze jobs with ergonomic risk factors associated with the upper extremities.
• Use the NIOSH Lifting Guidelines and Manual Materials Handling Tables to analyze jobs with ergonomic risk factors associated with the low back.
• Determine post-injury management best practices.