Course Overview:

The Applied Ergonomics course is designed both for the practicing ergonomist as well as nurses, physical and occupational therapists, safety professionals, occupational physicians, industrial hygienists and for those responsible for health and safety in the workplace.  Prior ergonomics knowledge may be useful but is not required for course comprehension.  The Applied Ergonomics course examines issues related to the upper extremity and the lower back in greater detail than that available from an introductory or short course.  The curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of skill for evaluating the physical stresses of jobs, as well as the presentation of current knowledge pertaining to work related musculoskeletal disorders.  The ultimate goal of the course is to have participants able to identify problem jobs and develop practical solutions that may be easily and effectively implemented.  In the Applied Ergonomics course there is as much emphasis on skill as there is on knowledge.

Course instruction is daily 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with a one hour lunch and two fifteen minute breaks.

Course Instructors:

The Applied Ergonomics Course will be instructed by the following internationally known, highly respected faculty members, each has extensive teaching, research and practical experience:

Dr. Arun Garg, PhD, CPE            Industrial Engineering University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Dr. J. Steven Moore, MD, CIH               Texas A&M University, Texas

Dr. Kurt Hegmann, MD, MPH                University of Utah, Utah

Dr. Phyllis King, PhD, OTR                Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Sharri Falkenburg, MS, OTR, CPE       URS Corporation  Milwaukee, WI

Course Objectives & Benefits:

Learn contemporary methods of job description and analyses, including the use of a computerized Biomechanical Model, Revised NIOSH Guide Lifting Equation, Human Strength Predication Model, psychophysical methods, Strain Index and other job analysis methods available to estimate the demands of work tasks on the upper extremity and low back.

-  Learn to apply different job analysis methods to different situations, such as hazard assessment, job modification and prospective design.

-  Get hands on experience with job analysis methods.

-  Increase awareness and understanding of scientific knowledge and current theories about low back pain and  upper extremity disorders.

-  Learn contemporary concepts about ergonomics programs, including OSHA’s proposed ergonomics program standard.

Part I - Low Back:

Attendees will learn:

- Introduction to low back pain

-  Biomechanical basis for low back pain

-  Risk factors for low back pain

-  Preventive approaches to low back pain:

           1.     Pre-employment strength testing

           2.     Lifting technique

           3.     Back belts and braces

           4.     Physical fitness

           5.     Psychosocial factors

           6.     Ergonomic job design

-  Ergonomics  Assessment - what data is necessary, and how to collect it

-  Guidelines for prevention of low back pain

-  Job analysis methods

-  What method to use, when to use, how to interpret results

           1.        Ratings of Perceived Exertion

           2.        Maximum Acceptable Weights and Forces

           3.        3-D Biomechanical Model for Low Back

           4.        Heart Rate Analysis for Fatigue

           5.        Revised NIOSH Guide for Manual Lifting

           6.        Human Strength Prediction Model

           7.        Analysis of Pushing / Pulling Tasks

           8.        Postural Stress Analysis                       

-  OSHA's Proposed Ergonomics Program Standard

-  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

-  Case studies:

           1.     Lifting bags

           2.     Pushing / pulling carts

           3.     Control of overexertion injuries in a plant

           4.     Warehouse study

           5.     Prevention of injuries to health care workers

-  Real world applications

-  Workshop on job analysis methods

Several case studies will be examined during the course to help attendees determine which analysis method to use to analyze certain types of jobs, as well as to witness how to develop and proceed with an ergonomic investigation within a company.

Part I concludes with a workshop, where attendees will break into small groups so they can practice the use of the ergonomics methods for job analysis, such as Maximum Acceptable Weights, Biomechanical Model, Revised NIOSH Guide Lifting Equation and RPE scales, under professional supervision, ensuring that each attendee leaves the course able to begin application of their acquired knowledge and skill.

Part II - Upper Extremity:

Attendees will learn about:

-  Overview of upper extremity disorders

          1.      Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

          2.      Trigger finger, Trigger thumb

          3.      Epicondylitis

          4.      Peritendinitis

          5.      DeQuervain’s Disease

          6.      Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis

-  Epidemiologic Studies

-  Job analysis methods for repetitive motion disorders

-  What method to use, when to use, how to interpret results

          1.  ANSI's Proposed Standard

          2.  OSHA Checklist

          3.  The Strain Index

-  Case Studies

-  Participatory ergonomics

-  Guidelines for preventing repetitive motion injuries

-  Office ergonomics (VDTs)

-  Work station design

-  Shoulder disorders and job analysis:

          1.  Rotator Cuff

          2.  Bicipital Tendinitis

          3.  Job Analysis for Shoulder Disorders

Emphasis in Part II is placed on creating and modifying job environments such that injuries may be avoided.  Office ergonomics as well as prevention and analysis of CTD’s is covered in great detail.

Several case studies and videotapes will be examined during the course to help attendees determine which analysis method is used to analyze certain types of jobs, as well as to witness how to develop and proceed with an ergonomic investigation within a company.

Impressions from Past Students:

"The course is outstanding!"

    -J. Foster, MD

"Finally a comprehensive  course that has practical application backed by scientific documentation.  I am very excited to apply this information to my consulting.  I appreciated the input from experts working in the real world.” "

-Gina Scheuer, OTR

Part I - Low Back

            Applicability to present / future work     8.9

            Overall course rating                           9.1

Part II - Upper Extremity

            Applicability to present / future work     8.9

            Overall course rating                            8.9

Accredation:

The University of Wisconsin has awarded this course 3.1 Continuing Education units (CEU’s).

 Registration Information:

 The registration fee for this course is:

              Part I                         - June 6-8, 2005                   $ 1,145.00*

  Part II                        - June 9-10, 2005               $  925.00*

 Both Sessions         - June , 6-10, 2005               $ 1,495.00*

If registration is post marked later than 4/29/2005:

              Part I                       - Jun    6-8,  2005                  $ 1,245.00

  Part II                      - June 9-10, 2005                $ 1,025.00

  Both Sessions       - June   6-10, 2005              $ 1,675.00

Please include the registration fee along with the registration form and return to Arun Garg.  Cancellation notification must be received one month prior to the course offering in order to qualify for a refund, less a $75 administrative fee.  Substitute attendees are permitted.  In the unlikely event that this course must be cancelled, the entire submitted registration fee would be refunded without further liability on the part of the organizers.

For further information, please visit:

http://ergonomics.uwm.edu or, call Arun Garg at 414-229-6240 or fax Arun Garg at 414-229-6958; e-mail: arun@uwm.edu

*Group discounts are available, please contact Arun Garg at 414-229-6240 for further information.

Course Location & Hotel Accomodations:

Location:

University Center for Continuing Education,

161 W. Wisconsin Avenue Suite 6000

Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202

Hotel Accomodations:

The University of Wisconsin has special room rates with several hotels in the Milwaukee area.  For a hotel listing, please contact Arun Garg at 414-229-6240 or click on the link below.

Current Hotel Information

Please download a  copy of this form and send it along with the registration fee, made payable to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, to:  

Click on this Link to download the form.

Attn: Arun Garg
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
PO Box 784
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201