WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance

Course Syllabus

Course:                AT 3600: Ergonomics for Health and Safety
Credit:                  Two (2) Semester Hours
Class Schedule:    One two-hour Meeting per Week
Prerequisites:        PE SI 3500: Kinesiology, or consent of Instructor
Instructor:             Dr. Molly Smith, SB 125H, 626-7361, mmsmith1@weber.edu

Course Description
    This course examines and analyzes the effects of the workplace on employees and adaptations of the work environment to suit the individual.  The focus is on the interaction of work and people, i.e. physiological and environmental stresses with the primary intent to establish ways to reduce injuries, accidents, and fatigue, and to improve human performance of work.

Course Goals:  At the completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental causes, prevention, and treatment of common work-related cumulative trauma disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

  2. Scientifically analyze the anthropomorphic characteristics of the worker to identify risk factors that can cause or aggravate musculoskeletal disorders.

  3. Scientifically analyze the demands of job tasks to identify risk factors that can cause or aggravate musculoskeletal disorders.

  4. Scientifically evaluate the safety of the work environment.

  5. Research and evaluate the effectiveness of a Personal Protective Ergonomic Device and make an oral presentation of research findings.

Evaluation

Assignments  Points
Study Questions and Problems 100
Ergonomic Risk Factor Evaluations (3 x 75) 225
Mid-Term Examination 100
Product Awareness Project & Presentation 100
Final Examination 100
Total Points 625

Required References

  1. Smith, Molly. 2011. Ergonomics for Health and Safety, 4th ed. Ogden: UT: FedEx Office. 

Secondary References

    1.    Floyd, R. T. 2009. Manual of Structural Kinesiology. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
    2.    National Safety Council. 1993. Ergonomics: A Practical Guide, 2nd ed. Chicago: National Safety Council.

Ethical Conduct
    The Weber State University policy regarding all forms of academic dishonesty, including cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism will be strictly enforced.  Penalties for academic dishonesty may include failure from the course.  The policy can be found online at: http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm

Students with Disabilities
    Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in Room 181 of the Student Service Center.  SSD can arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

Topical Outline
Unit Topic Reading Week
1 Introduction: Definitions and Scope Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 1 1
2

Government Regulations
Ergonomic Program Standard
Lawsuit Avoidance

OSHA Website, www.osha.gov
Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 2

 2
3

Common Ergonomic Injuries
  Cumulative Trauma Disorders
    *Injury Response & Healing Process
    *Types of CTDs
  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    *Anatomy & Causes
    * Prevention & Treatment
  Elbow Pain
    *Anatomy & Causes
    *Prevention & Treatment
  Eyestrain from Video Display Terminal
  Neck Pain
    *Anatomy & Causes
    *Prevention & Treatment
 - Massage Therapy
  Low Back Pain
    *Anatomy & Causes
    *Prevention (posture) & Treatment
- Pilates Instructor

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 3

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 4

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 5

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 6

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 7

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 8

3

4

5

6

7
  Mid-Term Examination, Exam Clarification   8
4 Analytical Methods for Pathological Motion
  Passive Surveillance
  Surveys and Questionnaires
  Active Surveillance		 Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 9
 9
  Risk Factors Inherent in the Worker
* Demographic
* Anthropomorphic Measures
* Work Capacity, Muscular Fitness		 Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 10
 10
  Risk Factors Inherent in the Task
* Awkward Postures, Forceful Exertions
* Repetitive Movements, Contact Trauma
* Segmental Vibration, Heavy Exertion
Worksite Visitation		 Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 10
RF Assignment #1		 11
 

Risk Factors Inherent in the Environment
* Temperature: hot, cold
* Lighting, Noise
* Whole body vibration, Air Quality
* Psychosocial
Ergonomic Risk Factor Evaluation #1 Due

 Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 10
RF Assignment #2		 12
5

Controlling Risk Factors & Preventing Injuries
* Engineering Controls
* Management Controls
Ergonomic Risk Factor Evaluation #2 Due
Implementing Controls
Ergonomic Risk Factor Evaluation #3 Due

Ergonomics H & S, Ch. 11
RF Assignment #3

 13
6 Ergonomic Product Awareness Presentations   14
7 Ergonomic Product Awareness Presentations   15
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Weber State University

Ogden, Utah 84408