Physical Human Factors and Ergonomics (ERG120)

Now Registering for August 5 - September 29, 2024 (Online).

Learn how to identify the components of occupational tasks that can contribute to musculoskeletal injury and/or fatigue, quantify the risks associated with those components using the most relevant ergonomics assessment tools, and to integrate that information into conclusions regarding the acceptability of the risk. This course will use physical ergonomics as an example of evidence-based practice by not only covering the analysis tools, but also explaining their scientific basis and outlining their strengths and limitations for various work scenarios. You will also be introduced to the concepts of optimal task design and gain experience writing reports that summarize findings and effectively support conclusions. You will be challenged to assess many practical examples from a wide variety of workplace sectors, including manufacturing, health care, agriculture and others, and interpret data from sources that will not always agree, so that decisions can be made and defended. You will also learn about the various biomechanical, psychophysical, physiological and epidemiological criteria used in physical ergonomics, and how they can be integrated during the process of decision making.

Course Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:

• Recognize, identify and prioritize the physical hazards/risks within occupational task elements that contribute to the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
• Review the most current biomechanical, psychophysical and physiological approaches and criteria used to quantify physical exposures and assess risk within occupational tasks
• Identify and apply the appropriate ergonomic risk assessment tool(s) to occupational tasks, citing relevant resources
• Measure and/or calculate the inputs and outputs for various ergonomics tools and interpret them appropriately
• Address the ethics of physical ergonomics analyses and interpretation
• Calculate the acceptable loads based on the target populations selected
• Analyze, synthesize and interpret the outputs of multiple ergonomic risk assessment tools (approaches) to make a definitive decision about the injury and/or fatigue risk associated with a task
• Write reports summarizing all the relevant findings and providing recommendations regarding task acceptability. Support all decision with data and relevant sources and be able to debate and defend decisions

Instructor Information - Bob Fox, PhD, CPE

Dr. Bob Fox has 40 years of experience in the field of ergonomics, human factors, and physical anthropology. He has worked in General Motors North American and global ergonomics activities from 1993 to 2022 and is both an HFES and IEA Fellow. He chaired the US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Standards Organization (ISO) for anthropometry and biomechanics and chairs the Technical Standards Division for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). He also participates in various work groups for ANSI and ISO ergonomics standards and reports. He also participates on the NORA Cross-Sector Councils for both MSDs and Healthy Work Design, the ACGIH Physical Agents Committee, the IEA Technical Committee on Musculoskeletal Disorders, USCAR, and the ASTM F48.02 subcommittee on Human Factors and Ergonomics for exoskeletons. He has authored journal articles on manual material handling, the Revised NIOSH Lift Equation, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and ergonomics and aging. His areas of interest and expertise include general automotive industrial ergonomics, manual material handling, upper extremity repetitive motion MSD risk analysis and prevention, warehousing and indirect labor ergonomics, and industrial mobile equipment ergonomics. He has been a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) since 1996 and serves as a Lecturer at the University of Michigan.

Accreditation

This course is offered on a pass / fail basis for continuing education credit. Learners must obtain a final grade of 70% or higher, and a Final Exam grade of 60% or higher, to pass the course and to obtain a Certificate of Completion.

Certified Professional Ergonomists

Certified Professional Ergonomists may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course. Visit https://bcpe.org/continuance-of-certification/ for more information.

Certified Athletic Trainers

COEH (BOC AP#: P10242) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 45 Category A hours. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. 

Industrial Hygienists

ABIH® Diplomates may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course. Visit https://gobgc.org/applicants_CIH/ for more information.

Certified Safety Professionals

Certified Safety Professionals may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course. Visit https://online.fliphtml5.com/pbcyp/eprz/#p=19 for more information.

Registered Nurses

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 12983, for 45 contact hours.

Registered Environmental Health Specialists

This course has been approved for 45 contact hours, REHS. The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) UC Berkeley is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Program Continuing Education Accreditation Agency approved by the California Department of Public Health.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course. Visit http://www.bot.ca.gov/board_activity/laws_regs/cc_regulations.shtml for more information.

Registration Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation notification must be received no later than one week before the start date of an Online Ergonomics Program class in which you are registered in order to qualify for a refund, less a $65.00 administrative fee per registration. Substitute attendees are welcome.

Transfer Policy

You can transfer your registration and payment to a later Online Ergonomics Program class one (1) time with no penalty within ten days of the start date of a class. Subsequent transfers will incur a $65.00 administrative fee per registration. Course Credits must be used within 12 months and are not transferable.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Within the first ten days of an Online Ergonomics Program class, you may withdrawal from the class and receive a refund, less 10% of your course payment. There is no tuition refund following the tenth day of the start date of a class.

Class Cancellation Policy

In the unlikely event that an Online Ergonomics Program class must be cancelled, the entire submitted registration fee will be refunded without further liability on the part of COEH. COEH is not responsible for travel or other costs incurred by students for canceled classes.