Industrial Ergonomics
بيئة العمل الصناعية (الأرغونوميا)
- Next date
- Available in-house
- Fees from
- —per delegate
- Formats
- In-house training0 sessions
- Duration
- 5 daysCertificate
Overview
Musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, neck and shoulder problems and repetitive strain injuries are among the most common causes of lost time and long-term ill health in the oil, gas and energy industries. They arise from manual handling, awkward postures, repetitive tasks, vibration, poorly designed equipment and long hours at computer workstations and control room consoles. Good ergonomics reduces these injuries, improves comfort and productivity, and lowers the risk of errors by designing tasks, tools and workplaces to fit the people who use them.
This course provides a practical understanding of industrial ergonomics in plants, workshops, offices and control rooms. Participants learn basic anatomy and the causes of musculoskeletal disorders, the principles of ergonomic design, and how to identify and assess ergonomic risks using recognised tools. The course covers manual handling and lifting techniques, the design of work areas, tools and controls, valve operation and access, vibration and repetitive work, and computer workstation and control room ergonomics. It also explains the link with human error, heat, noise and lighting, and how to build an ergonomics programme with worker participation.
Objectives
- Explain basic anatomy and the causes of musculoskeletal disorders
- Apply ergonomic design principles to tasks, tools and workplaces
- Identify and assess ergonomic risks using recognised assessment tools
- Apply safe manual handling and lifting techniques and controls
- Improve the design of valves, access, controls and work areas
- Set up computer workstations and control rooms ergonomically
- Build an ergonomics programme with active worker participation
Who should attend
HSE professionals, occupational health staff, supervisors, engineers involved in design and maintenance, and members of safety committees.
Training methodology
The course combines explanation of ergonomic principles with practical assessments of real tasks using photographs, videos and recognised tools such as RULA, REBA and lifting equations. Participants assess manual handling, valve operation and workstation tasks, identify risk factors and propose practical improvements. Demonstrations show correct lifting and posture. Participants evaluate their own workstation set-up and control room examples. Case studies show how ergonomic changes reduced injuries and errors. Group exercises reinforce learning, and each day ends with a short quiz and discussion of ergonomic issues at participants' workplaces.
Programme outline
Day1Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Health
- What ergonomics is and why it matters for health, safety and productivity at work
- Basic anatomy of the spine, joints, muscles and tendons relevant to work injuries
- Musculoskeletal disorders: types, symptoms, causes and their cost to organisations
- Risk factors: force, posture, repetition, duration, vibration and individual factors
- Anthropometry and designing for the range of body sizes in the workforce
- Legal duties and standards relating to ergonomics and manual handling
- Practical exercise: identifying ergonomic risk factors in photographs of plant tasks
Day2Ergonomic Risk Assessment
- The ergonomic risk assessment process from screening to detailed assessment
- Using RULA and REBA to assess postures in maintenance and operations tasks
- Lifting equations and push-pull guidance to assess manual handling tasks
- Assessing repetitive work and exposure to hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration
- Involving workers in identifying ergonomic problems and suggesting practical, low-cost solutions
- Prioritising risks and selecting controls using the hierarchy of control
- Practical exercise: assessing a maintenance task using RULA and REBA methods
Day3Manual Handling and Workplace Design
- Safe manual handling principles and correct lifting, carrying and team lifting techniques
- Mechanical aids such as hoists, trolleys and vacuum lifters to reduce handling risks
- Valve operation, valve location and the forces needed to operate large valves
- Access to equipment, platforms, ladders and the design of maintenance access
- Hand tools, power tools and the design of grips to reduce strain and vibration
- Workplace layout, working heights and reach zones for standing and seated tasks
- Practical exercise: redesigning a manual handling task to reduce injury risk
Day4Offices, Control Rooms and Environment
- Computer workstation set-up: chair, desk, screen, keyboard and mouse positions
- Control room ergonomics: console design, screen layout and operator comfort
- Alarm displays, human-machine interface design and their effect on operator errors
- Lighting, glare, noise and thermal comfort in offices, workshops and control rooms
- Heat stress in outdoor work and the ergonomic design of rest and cooling facilities
- Breaks, task rotation and the prevention of fatigue and visual discomfort
- Practical exercise: assessing and improving a computer workstation or control room console
Day5Ergonomics Programmes and Human Factors
- The link between ergonomics, human factors and human error in industrial operations
- Integrating ergonomics into design reviews, projects and management of change
- Early reporting of symptoms, occupational health support and return to work
- Building an ergonomics programme with training, champions and worker participation
- Measuring results through injury data, assessments completed and improvements actually implemented
- Group exercise: developing an ergonomics improvement plan for a maintenance workshop
- Final assessment and discussion of ergonomic challenges at participants' workplaces
Dates and fees
There are no scheduled dates for this course at the moment. Request it as in-house training, or ask us about the next date.
Certificate
Every delegate who attends the full programme receives a Harfard Technology certificate of completion stating the course title, duration, dates and venue.
Frequently asked questions
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