alliance occupational medicine 1 __ _ _ _ ___...

ALLIANCE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

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Ergonomic Ergonomic Solutions for the Solutions for the

Aging Aging WorkforceWorkforce. .

Val Kshirsagar PT, OCS, CHT, CEAS

Physical TherapistAlliance Occupational

Medicine


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• Working population demographics.

• Need to keep the older worker employed.

• Relevant Aging Changes.• Strategies.


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According to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Between 1977 & 2007

• 65 & over increased by 101% compared to 59% total employment

• Men over 65 by 75% and women by147%


BLS

• Over 75 increased by 172%, a small 0.8% of the employed.

• This growth will continue • By 2016, 55-64yrs increase

by 36.6%• 65-74 and over 75 by 80%.


Baby Boomers

• 76 million start retiring beginning 2011

• They make up about 1/3 of the US workforce

• Not enough skilled workers to take their place


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By 2010By 2010

• Workers aged 35-44 will Workers aged 35-44 will decrease by 19%decrease by 19%

• 45-54 will increase by 21%45-54 will increase by 21%

• 55-64 will increase by 52%55-64 will increase by 52%


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Changes WorldwideChanges Worldwide

• Germany: 35-44 age Germany: 35-44 age group will decrease by group will decrease by 27%27%

• UK by 19%UK by 19%• Italy by 9%Italy by 9%• Japan by 10%Japan by 10%• China by 8%China by 8%


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Research Shows:Research Shows:

• Learning AbilityLearning Ability• IntelligenceIntelligence• ProductivityProductivityDo Not Necessarily Decline with Age

Employer Surveys show older workers have less job turnovers, less absenteeism and higher job satisfaction


Relevant Aging Changes Relevant Aging Changes And ResultsAnd Results

EYES: Lens stiffens, becomes denser, yellows. Number of nerve cells decrease-depth perception affected. Less fluid dry eyes.

• Need for brighter lights, larger font Need for brighter lights, larger font size.size.

• Changes with color perception: Changes with color perception: Difficulty reading black letters on a Difficulty reading black letters on a blue background or blue letters.blue background or blue letters.


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Relevant Aging Changes Relevant Aging Changes And ResultsAnd Results

Did you know: Most 60 year olds need 3 times more light than 20 year olds?

Arial 36 vs. Times New Roman 12

Instructions on Labels and Dial in Instructions on Labels and Dial in Arial at 3 times the size.Arial at 3 times the size.


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Aging changes contd.Aging changes contd.• HearingHearing Changes: High pitched Changes: High pitched

sounds harder to hear, sounds harder to hear, consonants-k, t, s, p, ch. Alarms consonants-k, t, s, p, ch. Alarms need to accommodate for that. need to accommodate for that.

Articulating consonants more clearly helps more than speaking louder


Aging changes contd.Aging changes contd.

Hearing Loss: Difficulty w / sound discrimination or speech especially in noisy environments-misunderstand communication, miss important safety

warnings.Increased effectiveness of Warning

Alarms when combined with visual signals.


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Aging Changes Contd.Aging Changes Contd.• Skin Changes: Thinner, Skin Changes: Thinner, less elastic, tears more less elastic, tears more easily.easily.

• Decreased # of sweat Decreased # of sweat glands and blood vessels-glands and blood vessels-heat dissipations affected.heat dissipations affected.

• Bone less dense, weaker-Bone less dense, weaker-reduce trip hazards like reduce trip hazards like cords, wet/oily floors.cords, wet/oily floors.


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Aging changes contd.Aging changes contd.

• Joint changes: Thinner Joint changes: Thinner cartilage, decreased cartilage, decreased flexibility more susceptible flexibility more susceptible to injury.to injury.

•Ligaments and Tendons: Ligaments and Tendons: Weaker, less elastic-more Weaker, less elastic-more susceptible to wear and tear susceptible to wear and tear and injury. and injury.


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Aging changes contd.

•Muscle Mass and Strength decrease. Starts at 30 and continues throughout life. By age 75 at 50% of young adulthood.

•Regular exercising can partially overcome or significantly delay the loss.


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Stretch BreaksStretch Breaks

Wrist Flexor StretchKeeping elbow straight, grasp left hand and slowly bend wrist back until stretch is felt. Try this with fingers pointing down. Hold 10-15seconds. Relax.Repeat 3-5 times per set. Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Wrist Extensor StretchKeeping elbow straight, grasp left hand and slowly bend wrist forward until stretch is felt. Hold 10-15 seconds.Relax.Repeat 3-5 times per set. Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Shoulder Shrugs:Shrug shoulders up and down, forward and backward. Try rolls.Repeat 5-10 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Upper Trapezius Stretch:DO NOT USE THE HAND ON THE HEAD. Gently bend your head towards the leftshoulder while graspingyour seat with your righthand or while bending yourright arm behind you. Youshould feel a gentle stretchin your upper shoulder.Hold for 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Levator Scapula StretchPlace left hand on same side shoulder blade. Gently turn your head to the opposite side anddown. Hold for 10-15 seconds. DO NOT USE THE HAND ON YOUR HEAD.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.

Do 2 sessions per day.


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Neck Rotation:Turn head slowly to look over one shoulder, then the other. Hold each position 1-2 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times per set. Do 1 sets per

session. Do 2 sessions per day.


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Neck Retraction:Pull head straight back, keeping eyes and jaw level, AND LOOK UP. Repeat 3-5 times per set. Do 1 sets per session.

Do 2 sessions per day.


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Pectoral stretch: Standing inthe DOORWAY stepforwards till you feel a gentlestretch in your chestmuscles. Hold for 10-15seconds. SECOND ARMPOSITIONS-ELBOWS ATSHOULDER HEIGHT ANDFOREARMS ON THEDOOR FRAME.Repeat 3-5 times per set.

Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Posterior Capsule Stretch:Gently pull on right forwardelbow with other hand untilstretch is felt in shoulder.Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Inferior Capsule Stretch:Gently pull on right raisedelbow with other hand untilA gentle stretch is felt in the shoulder. Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Chest Stretch:Lace fingers behind backand squeeze shoulderblades together. Slowlyraise and straighten arms.Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Lower Cervical / Upper Thoracic Stretch:Clasp hands together in front with arms extended. Gently pull shoulder blades apartand bend head forward.Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Thoracolumbar Side-Bend: Hands clasped, reach overhead and bend to left side untilstretch is felt. Then go tothe other side. Hold 10 seconds in each position. Relax.Repeat 2-3 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 1-2 sessions per day.


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Gastroc Stretch:Stand with left foot back,leg straight, forward legbent. Keeping heel on floor,lean into wall until a gentle stretchis felt in the calf.Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Quadriceps Stretch: (Standing)Pull right heel toward buttock untilstretch is felt in front of thigh.Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Hamstring Stretch: (Standing)Place right foot on stool.Slowly lean forward, KEEPING BACKSTRAIGHT until stretch is feltin back of thigh.Hold 10-15 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


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Backward Bend (Standing):Arch backward to makehollow of back deeper. Stay in the comfortable range.Hold 2-3 seconds.Repeat 3-5 times per set.Do 1 sets per session.Do 2 sessions per day.


Lower Back Stretch (Sitting):Sit in chair with knees spread apart. Bend forward to floor. A comfortable stretch should be felt in lower back. Hold 5-10 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times per set. Do 1 sets per session. Do 1-2 sessions per day.


Piriformis (Supine):Cross legs, right on top. Gently pull other knee toward chest until stretch is felt in buttock/hip of top leg. Hold 10-15 seconds. CAN BE DONE IN SITTING TOO. Repeat 3-5 times per set. Do 1 sets per session. Do 2 sessions per day.


Stretching: Piriformis (Supine)Pull right knee toward opposite shoulder. Hold 10-15 seconds. Relax. CAN BE DONE IN SITTING TOO. Repeat 3-5 times per set. Do 1 sets per session. Do 2 sessions per day.


Strategies For Employers


Strategies For Employers

•Proactive ergonomic changes

•Educating employees

• Mandatory micro stretch breaks

•Watching work hours and days

•Encouraging and enabling healthy habits-gyms, yoga classes


Ergonomics


Risk Factors InvolvedRisk Factors Involved

• I. Force – pushing/pulling/gripping • II. Awkward posture – head forward, rounded

shoulder• III. Repetition – continual typing/mousing• IV. Duration – long days• V. Contact Stress – resting forearms or wrists

affecting circulation


Force


Proper PostureStanding in one place

– Rest a foot on stool or low box

– Switch feet often– Wear good shoes

Driving – Sit close enough to the

wheel, keep knees slightly bent

– Fully support low back

Walking– Stand tall, walk with head up– Wear good shoes

Sitting– Feet flat on the floor or foot

rest.– Support low back

Sleeping– Sleep on side or back– Don’t sleep on stomach


Avoid Awkward Postures

• Awkward postures stress joints and tissues encouraging injury– Keep wrist in neutral position– Keep elbows close to the body– Maintain 90 to 100 degree bend at the elbow– Minimize reaching over shoulder height– If reaching over shoulder height, keep shoulders

back and down– Minimize forearm rotation– Minimize wrist side to side movements– Maintain correct sitting posture– Avoid bending forward at your back; use your legs!


OFFICE OFFICE ERGONOMICSERGONOMICS


SMALL TOOL USESMALL TOOL USE• FOAM ON FINGER

CONTACTS

• USE VARYING FINGERS, WHOLE HAND GRIP, OR TWO HANDS

• ALTERNATE HANDS

• KEEP OBJECTS CLOSE


LABLAB

Use a footstool if working close to the ground or to lessen need for standing while performing a long task


Other FactorsOther Factors• Aerobic fitness • Muscular strength• Flexibility • Coordination• Excessive volume of activity • Inadequate recovery time • Chronic Illness (diabetes, low thyroid)• Smoking


What Else Can You Do?What Else Can You Do?Stay Healthy!Stay Healthy!Eat nutritious mealsExercise regularlySleep until you’re

rested (7-8 hours)Manage stressDon’t let hobbies

and work tasks compete for your energy and recovery time


BMW Plant In Dingolfing, Germany

• Production Workers-Aging -“Silver Tsunami”. 21.6% over 65 by 2020

• Experience, patience, skill

• Less flexibility, strength and vision

• Could force workers to retire-BUT not the solution-Social Contract!+ Not enough younger worker to replace them


BMW

• Turned one assembly line older- average age 47- projected average in 7 yrs.

• Worker input for improvement• Feet hurt- put in wooden floors and

special shoes• Some place to sit- modified

Hairdresser’s chair


BMW

• Some tools improved, bigger type on computer screens

• About 70 small changes-to cut errors and reduce Physical Strain

• Cost about $50K including lost time• Productivity went up7%, absenteeism

below plant average, defect rate down to ZERO


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Thank YouThank You

Any Questions?Any Questions?

Val Kshirsagar PT,CHT,OCSPhysical Therapist

Alliance Occupational Medicine315 South Abbott Ave., Milpitas2737 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara

alliance occupational medicine 1 __ _ _ _ ___...

Documents

hearing changes

place slide

louder slide

skin changes

aging workforce

higher job satisfaction

blue letters

black letters

alliance occupational medicine 1 ________ ________ ___ ___ ____ ________ ________ ________ ___ ___...

alliance occupational medicine 1 __ _ _ _ ___...