**183.1 PURPOSE** This chapter defines policy, scope, and objectives for
BPA's Ergonomics Program. It provides clarity of roles and
responsibilities for successful program implementation. This document
identifies program elements for the prevention of work-related
cumulative trauma disorders.

**183.2 POLICY** The Ergonomics Program is a part of BPA's overall
employee safety and occupational health program. The Ergonomic Program
provides resources necessary to assess employee's physical environment,
make recommendations, and implement changes to work processes.
Consistent with Delegation Order No. 0204-161, signed by the Secretary
of Energy on October 7, 1996, BPA has been granted delegated authority
for any related Department of Energy issuance for DOE EO 210.1,
Performance Indicators Program; DOE O 231.1, Safety and Health Reporting
Requirements; DOE O 440.1, Worker Protection.

**183.3 SCOPE** BPA's Ergonomic Program applies to all BPA Federal
employees. Contract employees are not covered within the scope of this
program. Contract employees are covered as stated in their individual
contracts.

# **Objective** The objective of BPA's Ergonomic Program is to provide a physical work environment that optimizes individual efficiencies and work processes. The program establishes resources necessary to support and maintain employee health and well being.

# **183.5 DEFINITIONS**

A.  **Ergonomic Assessment /Job Hazard Analysis:** An ergonomic review
    of the work area to evaluate tasks, equipment, furniture, tools and
    physical behaviors. An ergonomic assessment includes analyses and
    recommendations for adjustments regarding postures, work techniques,
    tools and equipment in order to reduce symptoms relating to
    cumulative trauma disorders.

B.  **Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD):** The result of physical trauma
    caused by repetitive motion or stress over a period of time; unlike
    acute, traumatic injuries such as slips, trips, or falls. Cumulative
    trauma disorders may occur in the upper or lower extremities as well
    as in the spinal column and its supporting musculature.

C.  **Ergonomic Assessment Database:** A knowledge bank of BPA ergonomic
    assessments and recommendations.

D.  **Ergonomics:** The science of relating people, their work, and the
    physical work environment in such a way as to optimize work
    procedures, practices, and efficiency while maintaining employee
    health and well being.

E.  **Ergonomic Risk Factors:** Potential causes of cumulative trauma
    disorders. Examples include force or overexertion, awkward posture,
    static positions, repetitive motions and vibration.

    F.  **Evaluator:** A person qualified and trained to conduct
        assessments, make recommendations and perform follow-ups as
        needed.

    G.  **Ergonomic Furniture, Equipment and Tools:** Furniture,
        equipment and tools that are adjustable and adaptable to best
        fit the physical needs of the employee.

    H.  **OWCP -** Office of Workers\' Compensation Program.

# **183.6 PROGRAM ELEMENTS**

A.  **Ergonomic Assessments** are classified in one of three categories:

-   Standard Ergonomic Assessment

-   Symptomatic Employee Assessment (discomfort, temporary injury,
    over-use etc.)

-   Reasonable Accommodation Assessment (permanent medical Issue,
    disability, job injury)

> Assessments for both Standard and Symptomatic Employees are provided
> through Office Facilities. The recommendations of the assessments are
> implemented by Office Facilities.
>
> Assessments for Reasonable Accommodation are provided through
> Personnel Services. The recommendations of the assessments are
> implemented by Office Facilities.

B.  **Ergonomic Program Evaluation.** The Safety Office conducts
    ergonomic program evaluations through questionnaires, observations,
    inspections, and annual reviews of accident reports and OWCP data.

C.  **Reporting Requirements.** Cumulative trauma disorders shall be
    reported by employees to their first line supervisor. They shall be
    reported through the BPA accident/illness reporting system.
    Supervisors shall complete and submit an Individual
    Accident/Incident Report (BPA F 5480.01e) for all CTDs through
    supervisory channels, to the Safety Office within six days of
    notification by the employee of an incident. Supervisors shall also
    submit the appropriate forms to the Personnel Office as needed for
    OWCP processing.

D.  **Training.** The Safety Office shall coordinate and provide
    training to employees and supervisors regarding cumulative trauma
    disorders, risk factors and prevention in the work place.

> Training will be provided for all levels of management and all BPA
> employees. The training will include: ergonomic principles, anatomy
> and physiology, cumulative trauma disorder symptom recognition, and
> work management practices for prevention.

# **183.7 RESPONSIBILITIES**

A.  **The Senior Vice President for Employee & Business Resources** is
    designated as the management official in charge of occupational
    safety and health programs. The occupational safety and health
    staff, safety programs, and employee and workplace services are
    under this line authority.

B.  **Vice Presidents** are responsible for promoting safety and health
    practices and programs consistent with the mission, organization
    size, and the work environment of their respective organizations.

C.  **Organizational Managers** with line responsibility are responsible
    for administering safety and health programs within their respective
    organizations.

> **Manager/Supervisor**

##### Ensures a safe and healthy work environment for employees.

##### Ensures that all current and new employees are aware of the BPA's Ergonomic program.

##### Participates in BPA ergonomic training program and supports employee ergonomic training.

(a) Ensures that employees who report cumulative trauma disorders
    receive a comprehensive ergonomic assessment and recommendations are
    implemented in a timely manner.

(b) Reports CTDs to the Safety Office and Personnel

##### Employee

(a) Reports symptoms to the first line supervisor/manager.

(b) Participates in recommended ergonomic training classes and applies
    ergonomic principles to work habits.

(c) Follows guidance and recommendations as identified through the
    ergonomic assessment. If moving to a new workstation, employee shall
    discuss prior ergonomic recommendations with the supervisor.

##### 

##### Safety Office Responsibilities

##### 

(a) Establishes ergonomic policy and performs program oversight.

(b) Provides technical expertise to BPA regarding ergonomic practices
    and principles.

(c) Sets criteria for qualified ergonomic evaluators to conduct job task
    analysis and ergonomic assessments.

(d) Develops and coordinates ergonomic training and educational
    curriculum including supporting materials and literature. Identifies
    qualified trainers to present training.

(e) Evaluates effectiveness of BPA's ergonomic program policies and
    implementation.

(f) Industrial ergonomic assessments will be conducted by the Safety
    Office.

> **Office Facilities Responsibilities**

(a) Assigns and directs resources to effectively manage ergonomic
    assessments, workstation modification and follow-ups.

(b) Selects qualified ergonomic evaluators to conduct assessments and
    implement recommendations for office ergonomic changes.

(c) Provides ergonomic assessments.

(d) Communicates and coordinates with Personnel Services regarding
    ergonomic cases that may need referral to the reasonable
    accommodation program.

(e) Acquires, installs and maintains approved ergonomic chairs, computer
    accessories and furniture system-wide.

(f) Maintains inventory of products to assure recommendations from
    ergonomic evaluators can be implemented in a timely fashion.

(g) Assures that installers are adequately trained to perform
    workstation modifications.

(h) Maintains record-keeping system to track modifications made to
    employee workstations as a result of the ergonomic assessment.

> **Personnel Services Responsibilities**

(a) Ensures that ergonomic assessments are provided for employees who
    have sustained a work-related (OWCP) cumulative trauma disorder.

(b) Ensures that qualified disabled employees who are covered under the
    Reasonable Accommodation Plan will receive ergonomic services as
    outlined in\
    Personnel Letter #900-2.

# **183.8 REFERENCES**

A.  Occupational Safety and Health Act, General Industry Safety and
    Health Regulations 29 CFR 1910, General Duty Clause; 29 CFR Part
    1960 Basic Program Elements for Federal Occupational Safety and
    Health Programs.

B.  [BPA Manual Chapter 180](../00000180.doc)

C.  [Personnel Letter
    900-2](http://webip1/EBR/PersonnelServices/Letters/PL900-2.doc), BPA
    Reasonable Accommodation Plan

D.  [BPA Safety and Health Program
    Handbook](http://webip1/EBR/Safety/dsftybook.htm)