1. “Workplace Athlete” Model
for
MSD Prevention
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

2. INTRODUCTION
Established 1989
Overview: A “Best Practice” Approach to Workplace
MSD Prevention and Cost Containment
Mark Middlesworth MS, ATC, CEES
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

3. MSD PREVENTION PROCESS - OVERVIEW
 MSD Definition & Causes
 MSD Prevention Philosophy
 E+ System – How it works
 Workplace “Athletic Trainer”
 Roles & Responsibilities
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

4. MSD Musculo-Skeletal Disorders
or
Movement System Disorders
Other terms used for MSDs include:
 Repetitive Motion Disorder
 Repetitive Strain Injury
 Repetitive Trauma Disorder
 Overuse Injury
 Ergonomic Injury
Ergo Plus MSD Definition: Movement System Disorders
or MSDs are injuries and disorders that affect the
human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

5. MSD COSTS
 MSDs represent 40% of claims and 68% of costs.
 Direct costs are estimated at 300 billion per year in US.
 Indirect costs such as lost productivity and quality from
MSD costs US companies $60 billion each year.
 High human cost - unnecessary pain & suffering.
 The average person who suffers a disabling MSD loses
40% of their income over five years.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

6. MSD Musculo-Skeletal Disorders
or
Movement System Disorders
 Muscle/Tendon Strain  Radial Tunnel Syndrome
 Tendonitis  Digital Neuritis
 Ligament Sprain  Trigger Finger/Thumb
 Tension Neck Syndrome  DeQuervains Syndrome
 Thoracic Outlet Compression  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 Rotator Cuff Tendonitis  Mechanical Back Syndrome
 Epicondylitis  Degenerative Disc Disease
 Radial Tunnel Syndrome  Rupture/Herniated Disc
MSDs are caused by exposure to a number of different risk factors over a period of time,
leading to chronic muscle/tendon fatigue outpacing the human body’s ability to recover. If
fatigue outruns recovery over time… inflammation, discomfort, pain, and lost function is
the result.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

7. MOVEMENT SYSTEM HEALTH
IF FATIGUE = RECOVERY… …BALANCE IS ACHIEVED
FATIGUE VS. RECOVERY BALANCE
WHEN BALANCE IS ACHIEVED… …OPTIMAL HEALTH IS MAINTAINED
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

8. MOVEMENT SYSTEM DISORDER
IF FATIGUE OUTRUNS RECOVERY… …AN IMBALANCE OCCURS
FATIGUE VS. RECOVERY BALANCE
WHEN IMBALANCE OCCURS… …HEALTH IS COMPROMISED
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

9. FORMATION OF MSD
PEAK HEALTH
AVERAGE
FATIGUE
DISCOMFORT
PAIN
LOST TIME
INJURY
LOSS OF FUNCTION
TIME
RESULT: In this case, fatigue and discomfort eventually led to a musculoskeletal disorder – a
lost time injury, OSHA recordable, doctor visit & possibly surgery or prescribed medication.
www.ergo-plus.com

10. CAUSE OF MUSCLE FATIGUE
Just as your car burns fuel for the energy needed to move it,
muscle energy (ATP) is produced by the burning of fuel…
glycogen.
Just as your car produces toxic waste from this fuel burning
for energy, your body’s muscles also produce a toxic waste
product called lactic acid.
Lactic Acid accumulation causes muscle fatigue and will
eventually prevent the muscles from contracting if not
removed.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

11. MSD PREVENTION
DECREASE FATIGUE:
 Ergonomics
 Proper Body Mechanics
 Proper Lifting Techniques
 Pre-shift Stretching
 Reverse Stretching
INCREASE RECOVERY:
 Proper Hydration
 Good Nutrition
DECREASE FATIGUE  Vitamin Supplements
&  Good Physical Fitness
 Proper Sleeping Habits
INCREASE RECOVERY
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

12. MSD Risk Factors?
Not everyone with ergonomic exposures at work
develops a MSD, and not everyone that develops an
MSD has ergonomic exposures at work.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

13. E+ System
 Establishment
 Education
 Early Intervention
 Ergonomics
 Evaluation
A comprehensive “whole person” strategy is needed for effective injury and MSD prevention. Why?
Because a variety of risk factors are involved. Some of these risk factors are the responsibility of the
workplace, while others are the responsibility of the worker.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

14. PREVENTION OF MSD
PEAK HEALTH
AVERAGE
FATIGUE
EARLY
INTERVENTION
DISCOMFORT
PAIN
LOSS OF FUNCTION
TIME
RESULT: In this case, as the worker began to experience fatigue & discomfort they employed
the tools provided to them by their injury prevention specialist to prevent the MSD from occurring.
www.ergo-plus.com

15. ELIMINATION OF MSD
PEAK HEALTH
AVERAGE
FATIGUE
DISCOMFORT
PAIN
LOSS OF FUNCTION
TIME
RESULT: When the components of an effective injury prevention program are properly
executed, maximum productivity & performance are achieved.
www.ergo-plus.com/empoyee-workbook

16. WORKPLACE “ATHLETIC TRAINER”
Football Teams
 Head Coach
 Coordinators
 Position Coaches
 Team Captains
 Special Teams
 Athletes / Players
 Athletic Trainer
Workplace
 CEO / Plant Manager
 Operations Managers
 Process Managers
 Group Leaders / Team Leads
 Safety / Ergonomics Team
 Athletes / Employees
 Athletic Trainer
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

17. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CEO / Plant Manager
 Communicates and demonstrates management's leadership and commitment.
 Provides authorization of adequate resources.
Health & Safety Manager
 Facilitates and monitors the implementation of the MSD prevention process..
 Works with athletic trainer to identify methods of reducing exposure to MSD.
 Assists in educating and communicating to all levels of the facility.
 Conducts periodic trend reviews and program evaluation.
Supervisors
 Facilitate the implementation and direction of the MSD prevention process within manager's
area or responsibility.
 Encourages early reporting of excessive fatigue, discomfort, or MSD signs and symptoms.
Responds appropriately and promptly when an employee reports.
Safety Team
 Attend MSD prevention & ergonomics training programs.
 Identify opportunities for reduction or elimination of known job-related MSD risk factors .
 Assist in the investigation, prioritization, and solution development for ergonomic improvement
opportunities that have been identified.
 Assist in communication and education about MSD risk factors and ergonomics to all employees.
 Work with management to insure that all new job tasks and processes are designed with
ergonomics in mind.
Employees
 Report any early signs and symptoms to department managers to initiate early intervention.
 Provides suggestions for controlling ergonomic risk factors.
 Accepts responsibility for personal risk factors related to MSD.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

18. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Athletic Trainer
Establishment
 Works with management to determine goals, objectives, and structure of the MSD prevention
process.
 Assist with review and identification of priority departments and jobs.
 Review MSD prevention process with safety and/or ergonomics teams.
 Work with management to develop and implement a best practice pre-shift stretching
program.
Education
 Conduct training programs as needed for supervisors & team leads.
 Conduct training programs as needed for safety/ergonomics team & engineers.
 Conduct general MSD prevention & wellness training for employees by area on priority basis.
 Conduct work methods and body mechanics training with employees.
Early Intervention
 Address team member early reports of fatigue/discomfort as they appear.
 Provide self-care counseling of team members regarding any fatigue/discomfort.
 Provide at least weekly follow-up with team members reporting fatigue and document
compliance with self-care program elements.
Ergonomics
 Perform job demands and ergonomic analysis by area on an priority basis.
 Document ergonomic improvement opportunities and work with management and
safety/ergonomics team to cost justify and implement practical solutions.
 When engineering controls are not practical, work with management to determine whether
administrative controls such as job rotation would be effective in reducing MSD risk while
maintaining quality and productivity objectives.
 Measure and document effectiveness of implemented controls.
Evaluation
 Evaluate MSD process components to ensure they are effective.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

19. Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

20. LIFESTYLE DISEASE CAUSES
 Dehydration
 Malnutrition
 Inflammation
 Fatigue & stress
 Poor physical fitness
 Poor health habits
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

21. BUILDING WELLNESS PRINCIPLES
 Accept Responsibility
 Water & Hydration
 Rest & Recovery
 Nutrition
 Exercise
 Fat Loss
 Workplace
 Lifestyle Habits
 Building a Wellness Plan
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

22. BUILDING BLOCKS
 Face the Truth
 Identify the Reasons
 Decide
 Study Wellness
 Set Goals
 Plan for Wellness
 Keep Score
 Win the Inner Battle
 Execute the Plan
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

23. E+ System
 Establishment
 Education
 Early Intervention
 Ergonomics
 Evaluation
A comprehensive “whole person” strategy is needed for effective injury and MSD prevention. Why?
Because a variety of risk factors are involved. Some of these risk factors are the responsibility of the
workplace, while others are the responsibility of the worker.
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus

24. Any Comments or Questions?
 765.384.4499
 www.ergo-plus.com
Ergonomics Plus System Overview www.ergo-plus.com @ErgoPlus