Washington State's Ergonomics Ideas Bank (EIB). Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDS) is Feasible by Making Ergonomics Principles Available to Employers

Abstract

The state funded workers' compensation insurance in Washington State receives more than 50,000 claims a year (40% of all claims) from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The annual direct cost of those claims is $410 million, and with additional indirect costs, the economic losses total over 1 billion dollars. The hazards that cause WMSDs must be controlled and reduced in workplaces. Business and labor working together need to decide on the implementation of ergonomics principles to reduce hazardous exposures. A survey of Washington State employers revealed that their biggest difficulty in implementing ergonomics was finding solutions. This presentation describes the Washington State Ergonomics Ideas Bank (EIB), a web-based service that can be accessed by employers and employees to search for ideas to help reduce WMSD hazards. Preliminary data indicate that the Bank is being used and user feedback is positive. It continues to grow as the public deposits ideas.