To root out ergonomic injuries you must be proactive. The first step is to do a record review and create a "snapshot" of worker injuries so you can analyze causes and identify trends. We'll show you how to do an effective records review. We've also given you a model form you can use to organize your review that you can access in Tools if you're a SafetyXChange member.

Who Should Do a Review?

Use a team approach. Make the person in charge of safety at the site (be it a safety director, risk manager, HR head or somebody else) who's most familiar with the records your team leader. Include workers on the team. Consider bringing in an outside ergonomics consultant to guide team efforts, especially at the beginning stages.

When Should You Do a Review?

Do a review right away if you've never done one, and at least once a year thereafter. More frequent reviews may be necessary if you experience a spike in the number of ergonomic injuries to workers. You should also do a review whenever you make significant operational changes, move locations and/or begin implementing different equipment or procedures.

Which Records Should You Review?

Review all records from the previous year that might contain data on ergonomically-related injuries, including:

• OSHA injury logs and summaries;
• Accident reports including results of internal investigations;
• Workers' compensation claims;
• Equipment maintenance records;
• Safety committee minutes and reports;
• Workplace audit results; and
• Safety-related complaints by workers and others.

What Should You Look For?

The team should go over the records with an eye to spotting patterns or trends in ergonomic injuries, such as:

• Recurrence of particular kinds of injuries;
• High incidence of injuries to workers who perform similar functions or use the same equipment; and
• High incidence of injuries to workers in particular locations or departments.

What Should You Do With Your Findings?

It's crucial to document your findings in a clear and organized fashion to facilitate analysis and corrective action. That's why ergonomics experts and safety directors familiar in the ways of ergonomic record reviews recommend creating a special form that team members can use to record their findings.

How to Create a Form

There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all form. Still, if you're a SafetyXChange member, you can look at the Model Form in Tools and use it to create a document that's workable for your site. Like our Model Form, yours should list:

Reviewers' ID: The team leader and individual team members who did the review should list their names, phone numbers and department so you can follow up directly with them if you have any questions or concerns about the findings.

Review Date: This is critical information that enables you to verify the accuracy of the data reviewed.

Records' ID: This should include the name, position and department of the injured worker or the record number if the record has to be kept confidential. The person filling out the form should also list the type of record reviewed, e.g., workers' comp claim, and date of review.

Injury Information: List the date and type of injury (including body part affected) as well as what part of the site the injury occurred in, the activity the injured worker was engaging in and the kind of device, equipment or workstation she was using.

In Part 2 of this series, we'll show you how to evaluate the results of the review and decide on corrective action.

NBA EAR WHACKS

Now that the NBA playoffs have tipped off, here's a neat little nugget:

15,000 crazed fans brandishing cowbells at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA, during a Kings-Mavericks NBA playoff game created what are reported to be the loudest sustained noise levels ever recorded at an indoor sporting event in the U.S. Not coincidentally, the highest sound levels were right behind the Mavs' bench. How high were they?

1. 106 dB
2. 116 dB
3. 126 dB
4. 136 dB

Answer: c.

By way of comparison:

• A lawnmower is about 90 dB;
• A helicopter is about 102 dB;
• A dance club is about 110 dB;
• A rock concert is about 120 dB; and
• Firecrackers are about 150 dB

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