3.2. SR 02-14-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Department of Labor and Industry - The leader ifrPromotingworl<place solutions at rSPOL.~ luqnap.). W1UU620-t:s: D6b94wGU-t: rn DATE: December 6,2004 TO: Dave Berggren, MMUA FROM: Jolyn T. Crum, MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation PHONE: 651/284-5343 SUBJECT: Ergonomics Visit - Elk River Public Utilities, Senior Center and Streets Department, E ~/.i.... P.. \ V ~ (!.., '-tv; He, II The following correspondence will detail the individual workstation visits at the Elk River Utilities building, Senior Center and Streets Department as well as provide general ideas for ergonomic- related improvements to the facility. Although, at present time, there is no specific Minnesota or Federal ergonomics regulation, an employer has an obligation under the General Duty Clause to correct recoRnized ergonomics hazards which are causing or likely to cause injury. General Issues . Employee Involvement Employee involvement is recognized as an important part of an effective ergonomics program. This incorporates the knowledge, insights and preferences of the people who actually perform the specific tasks of concern, as well as their ownership into any changes made Employee involvement may take the form of a standing ergonomics committee, an ergonomics steering committee, or an ergonomics subcommittee to the established safety committee. Involvement might also be structured as temporary task or project teams established to address specific tasks, issues, or concerns. Where an issue may involve re-design or re-adjustment of an existing workstation, appropriate staff should be involved in these activities to incorporate their expertise such as maintenance, safety and purchasing, as well as the employee who occupies the station. Senior Center Senior Computer Workstation - The workstations for seniors is a fixed height with fixed computer keyboard drawers. Several different chairs are available for use, most of which are adjustable to some degree. However, if residents have difficulty reaching adjustment handles or have difficulty moving/adjusting the chairs, they won't so they may require assistance from employees before working at the stations. Senior Program Director's Office - This office has a computer "cubby" (pre-fabricated cupboard style computer station). The employee's computer monitor was very close to the user and could not be moved back due to the limited space in the monitor section of the "cubby". The section has a piece of board on the back that could be cut out to allow for better placement of the monitor. The keyboard was placed on a keyboard drawer that was not adjustable in any way, restricting the height and angle at which an employee could type. The office had several other pieces offumiture within it that restricted overall employee movement. The room layout could be redesigned with the use of ...ith...r nr::lnh n~np.r or CAD drawinas.