CLICK to view past issues and articles in the NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE . . .

September / October 2009

Job Analysis or Ergonomic Job Position Evaluation:

What’s the difference? Which one is appropriate for my situation?

Job Analysis

A functional Job Analysis (JA) is performed onsite within the regular work environment where the job tasks occur. The purpose of a Job Analysis is to determine the physical requirements of a job and assign a Physical Demand Level to the position. A good JA should include the following:

Specific description of body positions used and why (such as sitting, standing, climbing, kneeling, forward bending, reaching, grasping, etc).
Weights and sizes of objects lifted and carried, height ranges objects are lifted in, distances objects are carried, and frequency of lifting and carrying.
Force measurements required for pushing and pulling.
Determination of essential and non-essential functions of the job.
Frequency of all task completion.
Digital pictures as well as video to support the written report in order to enhance an individual’s (doctor, rehab nurse, etc) ability to interpret what the job entails.

Once developed, the Job Analysis can then be used as a job description for anyone performing the job and is considered ADA compliant. The JA can be used for any of the following:

To determine if an injury claim is work related.
To assist with safe return to work following an injury by ensuring that a worker is able to perform all of the critical physical demands of the job.
To develop job descriptions for all positions within a company.
To assist with the hiring process by providing accurate information to a potential candidate as to what the job will require physically.
To provide a basis for developing post offer screening tools to ensure new hires or transferring employees are capable of performing the critical physical demands of the job.

Ergonomic Job Position Evaluation

The Ergonomic Job Position Evaluation (EJPE) can be known by many different names, including Work Risk Analysis, Ergo Analysis or Evaluation, Safety Analysis, or Job Safety Analysis. Similar to the JA, the EJPE will also be performed onsite within the regular work environment where the job tasks occur. However, the purpose of an EJPE is to assess a specific job position for potential injury/risk factors and provide recommendations for improvement to the employee and the employer. A good EJPE should include the following:

Identification of potential injury/risk factors with an explanation of why it is an injury risk and with what job task it occurs.
Recommendations to the employee for work technique modifications, including such things as stretching, position changes, and alternate task performance methods.
Recommendations to the employer to consider related to equipment, job design, or procedures (i.e. job rotation).
Realistic solutions that can be implemented quickly with minimal cost to the employer and with no impact on production.
Alternatives for long term solutions to higher level risk factors.
Digital pictures that support identification of risk factors and recommended solutions in order to enhance an individual’s ability to interpret the written report.

The EJPE can be requested for a variety of purposes. Here is a list of potential uses:

Assessment of a specific individual performing their regular work tasks with the goal being to eliminate current discomfort through identification of risk factors and recommendations for alternative work techniques/equipment.
Assessment of multiple individuals performing a specific job with the goal being to improve the overall ergonomic make up of the job for all who are assigned to it.
Assessment of all jobs within a company to assist with development of JSA’s (Job Safety Assessments).
Performed as a standard part of all CIS onsite Physical/Occupational Therapy treatment plans.

In summary, a Job Analysis will determine the critical physical demands of a job, for any individual assigned to it. An Ergonomic Job Position Evaluation will determine the potential injury/risk factors of a job and offer recommendations to resolve those issues. If you are still not certain as to which is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact Jim Panozzo at CIS onsite for more detailed information at (866) 298-1312 or jpanozzo@cisonsite.com..

CLICK to return to top

What’s Hot in Ergonomics:

Postural Guide to Working at your Computer Workstation

Always check your working position when using a computer. To avoid unnecessary discomfort, make sure the following key principles are in place.

Neutral Neck Position:

When looking at your work, keep your neck in a neutral or aligned position. Position the monitor directly in front of you to avoid turning your neck to the side.
Position the monitor screen so that you do not have to bend your neck up or down to see the screen. The top of the screen should be approximately 2-3" below seated eye level.
Place the monitor at least 20 to 30 inches away from you (slightly more than an arm’s length). Adjust as needed for your visual comfort.
If you must use a telephone simultaneously with the computer, use a headset. Never try to hold the handset between your shoulder and ear. If you chose to use a telephone handset, position the telephone close to you to avoid over-reaching.

Supported Spine:

Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest if necessary.
Your chair should provide you with good back support. Maximize the contact of your back with the chair back using chair adjustments or cushions as needed.
Set the back tilt in a slightly reclined position, approximately 100-110 degrees.
If your chair has an active recline mechanism, use it to change your position throughout the day.
It is often useful to have armrests. However, they should be adjustable in height and width to allow for resting the arms with your shoulders in a relaxed position.
The chair seat depth should be sufficient to support your thighs while providing a small space between the edge of the chair and the back of your knees.

Arm/hand Positions:

The keyboard and pointing device should be positioned at a height to allow for a slightly open elbow angle. Elbows should be at a 100 to 110 degree angle. If you cannot adjust your keyboard height, raise your chair and use a footrest, or elevate your table on blocks as necessary.
If you sit in an upright position, your keyboard should be placed in a slight negative tilt so that the wrists can be placed in an aligned or neutral position. Your hands should be slightly lower than your elbows with your fingers pointing toward the floor. (Note: If you recline back in your chair, you might not need to tilt the keyboard. Check the alignment of your wrist, and then set the angle of the keyboard as needed. Your sitting posture will affect how you adjust your keyboard and pointing device.)
If you use a keyboard tray, it should be wide enough for your pointing device.
If you use a wristrest, use it to support your palms only when pausing between keying. Do not place your wrists on the rest and turn your wrists from side to side to key. This increases the strain on your wrist.
Your pointing device should be positioned within easy reach. Over-reaching can result in shoulder and/or arm discomfort. If you are reaching out to use your pointer, elevate it on a mousebridge, platform or small book to bring it within closer reach.

Adopted from www.ergonomics.ucla.edu

CIS onsite is able to provide a variety of onsite wellness services, including Physical and Occupational Therapy, Early Intervention Programs, and Injury Prevention Trainings. If you would like additional information on how we can help you set up an onsite health clinic, contact CISonsite at (866) 298-1312 or jpanozzo@cisonsite.com.

CLICK to return to top

Think Safe!

What your heart rate can tell you .

Adopted from Consumer Reports onHealth

Taking your pulse is an established way to gauge the intensity of your workout. But growing research now suggests that your resting heart rate might also provide information that can help you and your doctor assess your risk of a heart attack.

Heart rate and heart attack

A low resting heart rate often indicates a healthy heart muscle that requires fewer contractions to supply the body with blood. A high rate may encourage the growth of artery-narrowing plaque deposits by damaging the arterial walls. And it could dislodge those deposits, triggering blockages and heart attacks. A normal resting heart rate for adults is usually considered to be under 80 beats per minute. But some research now suggests that heart-attack risk begins to rise once the rate is over 60, especially when it gets over about 80 or 90.

Lower your rate

Regularly getting your heart pumping moderately hard is the best way to lower your resting heart rate. But meditation and other relaxation techniques can also slow the rate and may protect the heart.

Feel the beat.

To check your resting rate, sit for 5 minutes. Then place your index and middle fingers on the thumb side of your wrist or the side of your neck under the jaw. Count the pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two. A rate over 90 isn’t necessarily a problem, though several such measurements can warrant checking with your doctor. If it’s over 120 or accompanied by dizziness, shortness of breath, or sweating, get too an emergency room or call 911, since that can indicate a heart attack.

Gauge your workout.

You can estimate how hard your heart is working while exercising by monitoring your breathing. If it’s harder than normal but you can still talk, it’s moderate; if it’s hard to get out a sentence or two, it’s vigorous. That’s easier than calculating your target heart rate (60 to 80 percent of 220 minus your age) and then stopping to take your pulse.

Easier still is using a commercially available heart-rate monitor. Such monitors can keep track of your heart rate, as well as, measure how quickly your rate returns to normal. That’s good to know; if it takes longer than several minutes, you should talk with your doctor, because that can indicate heart problems.

If you've missed any of our previous newsletters, check the Archives

CLICK to return to top

Our programs assist employers in reducing their OSHA recordables and Worker’s Compensation claims, cost and injuries. We offer a variety of customized programs to fit each employer’s unique needs.

Learn More»

Our mobile therapists come directly to your facility, by treating the worker onsite. the therapist can directly observe the physical demands of the worker’s job and design a treatment program that specifically addresses these demands.

Learn More»

Our case managers work with employers and insurance companies to proactively manage the care of an injured worker through the entire case management process from injury to return to gainful employment.

Learn More»