IASP Ergonomics

Course details

The National Association of Safety Professionals is a non-profit membership organisation providing training, consultative services, and third-party certifications that validate knowledge, skills and abilities in the area of workplace safety. The National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) is the United States Division of the non-profit International Association of Safety Professionals (IASP).

Course Objectives

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) result when there is a mismatch between the physical capacity of workers and the demands of the job. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability of people in their working years, afflicting over 19 million workers. One-half of the nation’s work force is affected at some time during their working lives. Statistics show a steady increase in musculoskeletal disorders. Each year thousands of workers in the United States report work related MSDs such as tendonitis, epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back injuries. Many of these are caused or aggravated by work related stressors such as lifting, reaching, pulling, pushing, and bending.
About one-third of all occupational injuries and illnesses stem from over exertion and/or repetitive motion. Cost to the nation in direct work’s comp costs Excavationseed $20 billion. Several high profile studies have been conducted over the last few years by respected scientists from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and others.
Companies, both large and small, have developed ergonomic programs that use a programmatic approach to identify and solve their ergonomic problems. While helpful, outside consultants or experts are often not necessary. The majority of ergonomic problems can be satisfactorily addressed by low cost interventions utilizing in-house resources.

Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to define ergonomics and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), recognize signs and symptoms of MSD injuries, identify risk factors for MSDs, specify controls and practices to eliminate and reduce risk factors and hazards, specify how to report symptoms and hazards, and identify the elements of a successful ergonomics program.