Administrative Improvements

Administrative improvements include changing work practices or the way that work is organized. They often require management approval and continual feedback to ensure their effectiveness, and they may not address the contributing risk factors. Administrative controls can be used alone or in conjunction with engineering controls.

Some examples of administrative controls include the following:

• Job variety - this practice reduces overexertion and limits the amount of time an employee is exposed to contributing risk factors. Variety can be achieved through job rotation, which rotates employees through different jobs, or job enlargement, which combines two or more jobs or adds tasks to a particular job. To be effective, job variety must ensure that the varying job tasks differ in the muscles used, the working postures, the amount of repetition, the pace, the amount of exertion required, and the environmental conditions.
• Adjusting work schedules and pace - this control limits the amount of time for which an employee performs a task. For example, new employees or employees performing difficult tasks may need to work at a slower pace.
• Providing recovery time - adding in recovery time can prevent fatigue and decrease the risk of injury. Even short recovery times can be effective if used on a regular basis.

Some examples of administrative controls include the following (continued):

• Modifying work practices - any changes that can make a task easier on the worker can also help to reduce ergonomic hazards. Work processes should be designed so that the work is performed at a mid-range, comfortable posture, and lifting tasks should be performed in the lifting safety zone. Other work-practice improvements include minimizing the distance objects must be carried, pushed, or pulled; organizing work to provide gradual increases in exertion or pace; tagging heavy or unstable loads; and replacing manual tasks with automated tasks when possible.
• Ensuring regular maintenance of workspaces, tools, and equipment - regular housekeeping to remove clutter and waste from workstations can reduce reaching, bending, or twisting when handling materials, tools, and equipment. The regular maintenance of tools and equipment can eliminate work hazards, as well. For example, properly sharpened cutting tools reduce the amount of force exerted. Fixing broken handles on power tools can reduce vibration and awkward posture.
• Encouraging exercise - studies have shown that long-term exercise has many benefits, which include better health and reduced injuries. Regular exercise can also improve energy levels, alertness, and coordination.

To learn more about Labor & Industry Ergonomics visit our Labor & Industry Ergonomics Online Training web page.