Identifying Problems

It is important for employers to periodically review the jobsite and the activities of employees to identify possible ergonomic issues. Employers can obtain information about existing problems from a variety of sources, including analysis of OSHA 300 and 301 injury and illness recordkeeping information, workers' compensation records, and employee reports of problems. Observations of workplace conditions and work processes, job analyses, workplace surveys, and employee interviews are also important in identifying ergonomics-related risk factors.

The following types of employee behaviors may indicate the presence of ergonomics-related problems:

• Employees shaking their arms and hands, or rolling their shoulders, due to discomfort
• Employees voluntarily modifying their workstations and equipment to increase comfort
• Employees bringing their own ergonomic products to the worksite (such as wrist braces)

To learn more about Ergonomics visit our Shipyard Ergonomics Online Training web page.