Repetitive Motion Injuries (Ergonomics)
Because your organization has experienced at least two bona fide repetitive motion injuries within a 12-month period, you are subject to the Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI) standard's formal requirements.
Do I Need a Written Program?
A written plan is not required, although written procedures can assist you in properly implementing the standard. You can use the
Office and Commercial Establishment Safety, Including Ergonomics and Office Chemical Safety as a guide. Your written program should describe:
- How the standard applies.
- Step-by-step instructions for compliance with the Ergonomics standard.
- How to verify the diagnosis of an RMI.
- How to conduct worksite evaluations (You must evaluate a representative number of jobs, processes or operations for proper ergonomic design. You must determine if they involve certain motions, positions or other bodily movements that are hazardous to muscles and joints.)
- How to implement RMI hazard controls.
Training
You must provide initial training, but refresher training is not required. The standard itself specifies training program content and implementation. The
Office and Commercial Establishment Safety, Including Ergonomics and Office Chemical Safety includes examples of the required training elements. You can use
CalChamber's Individual Safety Training Certificate to document training activity.
Inspections
You need to evaluate a representative number of jobs, processes, or operations for proper ergonomic design and to determine if they involve certain motions, positions, or other bodily movements that are hazardous to muscles and joints.
Recordkeeping and Reporting
You must keep records of all worksite evaluations conducted, control measures taken, training provided, and
Cal/OSHA Log 300 reporting completed.
You must provide training when you:
- Implement your IIPP
- Assign a new employee to a position
- Transfer an existing employee to a different position and
- Make changes to workplace conditions
You should provide refresher training as necessary. You can use
CalChamber's Individual Safety Training Certificate to document training activity.
Inspections
Cal/OSHA requires that you perform periodic safety inspections. You can choose the frequency of inspections based on how hazardous your work environment is.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
You may need to provide PPE, but only as a supplement to engineering controls (workstation redesign, adjustable fixtures, etc.) and administrative controls (job rotation and work pacing). You must provide personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, and special clothing to protect against hazardous, toxic or infectious material) only if other standards require you to supply equipment to protect your employees. These standards may apply, for example, if there are dangerous chemicals or certain types of machinery at your workplace. Click the Other Safety Standards button on the Safety Compliance Wizard menu to check into these standards.
For More Information
You can refer to the following tools provided by CalChamber:
You can also refer to the California Department of Industrial Relations
General Industry Safety Orders §5110 for a complete listing of specific regulations and use their
Easy Ergonomics for Desktop Computer Users guide.
