STEP 1: Ergonomic Issue Identification

Management, supervisors, and the Safety & Health Committee (SHC) must proactively monitor the workplace for early warning signs of ergonomic stressors. These typically include tasks involving awkward postures, highly repetitive movements, forceful exertions, or improper manual material handling.

STEP 2: Screening

An initial ergonomic screening must be triggered through any of the following three entry channels:

• Channels A, B, and C (Routine Screening): * Administering employee ergonomic self-assessment questionnaires.

  • Conducting routine workplace walkthrough inspections.

  • Reviewing internal medical logs (e.g., panel clinic visits, medical leave trends).

• Channel D (Reactive Screening): Receipt of direct ergonomics-related injury reports or Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) complaints from employees.

• Channel E (Mandatory Screening): Formal requests initiated by an Occupational Health Doctor (OHD) or relevant enforcement authorities (DOSH).

STEP 3: Initial Review & Decision Gate

The Safety & Health Committee must review the preliminary screening data to determine the severity of the risk:

• 🛑 If NO Significant Risk is Found: Proceed directly to Step 4 (Corrective Action & Risk Reduction) to rectify minor issues without requiring an advanced study.

• ⚠️ If A SIGNIFICANT RISK is Identified (YES): This indicates that the stressors are complex. The employer must proceed to escalate the issue to an Advanced ERA Assessment.

STEP 4: Advanced ERA Assessment

• For work areas flagged with a "Significant Risk," the employer is legally required to appoint a DOSH-registered Ergonomics Trained Person (ETP) to conduct an Advanced ERA.

• The ETP will utilize specialized, validated semi-quantitative assessment tools (such as RULA, REBA, ROSA, or the MAC Tool) depending on the nature of the task, to scientifically quantify the risk level.

STEP 5: Implement Controls

Based on the recommendations of either the Initial Review or the Advanced ERA report, employers must promptly implement mitigation strategies following the Hierarchy of Controls:

1. Engineering Controls: Modify physical equipment, introduce mechanical lifting aids, adjust workstation layouts, or automate highly strenuous processes.

2. Administrative Controls: Improve work practices, introduce structured job rotations to minimize repetitive strain, and schedule regular stretch breaks.

3. Workstation Improvement: Optimize dynamic working postures by providing adjustable chairs, tables, and ensuring adequate task lighting and ambient temperature.

4. Training & Awareness: Educate and upskill the workforce on ergonomic body mechanics, safe manual handling techniques, and early symptoms of MSDs.

STEP 6: Record Keeping & Continuous Review

• Documentation Retention: All Initial Screening checklists, Advanced ERA reports, employee MSD complaint forms, and training attendance records must be systematically archived for future DOSH audit verifications.

• Continuous Review: The ergonomics program must be reviewed periodically—or immediately if a process layout changes—to guarantee that control measures remain robust and effective.