OXNARD/SAN FRANCISCO -- In an effort to educate employers about the importance of industrial ergonomics as a preventative measure for employee injuries, the State Compensation Insurance Fund will hold a two-day “Industrial Ergonomics Workshop” in Oxnard on May 16 and 17. The workshop is designed to help employers recognize poor ergonomic design and reduce ergonomic injuries at their worksites.

Featured speakers include State Fund’s Senior Ergonomist R.J. Banks and State Fund Ergonomics Consultant Ryan Horton.

Industrial work settings such as those found in manufacturing, warehouse operations, and construction are among the most at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to the physical demands of these types of jobs. Workers may be required to lift, push, pull and handle heavy loads. Some tasks are repetitive and may require a worker to stand or sit for extended periods of time.

The workshop is designed to provide the basic information needed to recognize WMSD signs, symptoms, and risk factors. It addresses the key components of an ergonomics program, and also provides information to assist employers, supervisors, safety directors and human resources personnel how to minimize risks to employees’ physical health and how to make necessary workplace modifications before injuries occur. 

“The seminar will benefit attendees from a variety of industries by showing them how to create safer workplaces and prevent injuries before they occur,” said Banks. “It’s about thinking and acting proactively to insure the health and performance of every employee.”

Highlights of the seminar include:

• Examples of industrial ergonomics in action through real world examples.
• Explanation of the ergonomics problem solving process.
• Using tools that enable attendees to be a resource for solving industrial ergonomics problems in their organizations.
• Applying ergonomic intervention strategies to common industrial ergonomics problems.
• Understanding the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and identifying contributing factors in the industrial workplace.
• Prioritizing ergonomic improvements to maximize return on investment (ROI).

Health and safety professionals, safety program leaders, employers, managers, supervisors, human resources personnel, purchasers, and others involved in the ergonomics process are encouraged to attend this workshop.

The workshop will be held on consecutive days and requires a full two-day commitment on the part of the attendees. The seminar will be held at State Fund’s Oxnard District Office, 2901 N. Ventura Road in Oxnard.

The schedule for the seminar is as follows:

May 16 – 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
May 17 – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Registration on May 16 begins at 8:30 a.m. and a complimentary continental breakfast will be provided. Lunch and refreshments will be served on both days. Free parking is available.

The Oxnard seminar is part of a series of educational programs State Compensation Insurance Fund is holding throughout the state in order to help employers create safe workplaces. State Fund has the largest safety and health services program among California workers’ compensation insurance carriers.

Register now for this or other available seminars.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Established by the California Legislature in 1914, San Francisco-based State Compensation Insurance Fund is a self-supporting, nonprofit, fairly competitive public enterprise that provides workers’ compensation insurance coverage at cost to California employers.