SANTA ANA/SAN FRANCISCO – In an effort to educate employers about the importance of industrial ergonomics as a preventative measure for employee injuries, State Compensation Insurance Fund will hold a two-day “Industrial Ergonomics Workshop” in Santa Ana on August 14 and 15. The seminar - offered to any State Fund policyholder, at no charge - 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 repetitious and may require a worker to stand or sit for extended periods of time, leading to back pain or muscle injury.

The seminar 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 employees’ risk of developing ergonomic-related injuries.

“The seminar will show attendees how to create safer work environments and prevent injuries through good work practices and awareness of ergonomic principles,” said Senior Ergonomics Consultant R.J. Banks. “It’s about thinking and acting proactively to insure the health and performance of every employee.”

Seminar highlights include:

• Industrial ergonomics in action through real world examples.
• Explanation of the ergonomics problem solving process.
• Using tools to enable attendees to be a resource for solving industrial ergonomics problems in their organization.
• 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.

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.

The seminar 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 Santa Ana District Office, 1750 E. Fourth St., 1st Floor.

The schedule for the seminar is as follows:

• August 14 – 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• August 15 – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Registration and complimentary continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. on August 14. Lunch and refreshments will be served on both days. Free parking is available. To register, please call Reem Boutros at (562) 402-5577, or send a fax to (562) 402-5550. To register via email, please email, rmboutros@scif.com.

The Santa Ana 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.

Additional seminars in this series of educational programs are also available.

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.