The end of March 2012 saw the inaugural meeting of a unique new alliance. For the first time the pharmaceutical industries and the world of ergonomics have come together to improve the performance and wellbeing of this sector. The initiative developed from discussions between the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and members of some leading pharmaceutical industries. Subsequent discussions regarding the objectives for such an initiative resulted in one key aim, namely that of ensuring optimal ergonomics practice in the pharmaceutical industry.
The first meeting, hosted by GSK at their Headquarters in Brentford, London was an invited event with eight speakers and afternoon workshops. The speakers were drawn from within and outside the industry and included researchers from Imperial College, Cambridge University, Kings College as well as two IEHF Presidents. The presentations covered a range of contemporary topics including safety and reputation in high reliability industries; ergonomics and the environment – lessons for industry; pharmacy and ergonomics; errors and labelling and, finally, ergonomics and health issues in the pharmaceutical industries. The afternoon workshops considered three themes from which came key outputs that will form the map for future initiatives.
1: Safety and reputation led by Jon Berman (IEHF), Janet Anderson (Kings College) and Robert Brookes (GSK).
- Standards established by legislation/regulation and best practice globally
- Standard setting vs. evaluating the level of risk
- Examples of reducing manual handling risks/MSDS
- Going beyond legislative requirements
- Leadership in safety – pulling others up
- Awareness training (people find their own solutions)
- Specifications of PPE and use of one supplier
2: Health issues led by David Stubbs (Robens Institute), Margaret Hanson (IEHF) and Martina Clooney (GSK).
- DSE, laptop use
- Manufacturing (back, neck pain, repetition)
- Challenging change of behaviour
- Mental health
- Work pressure, performance related pay and cutbacks
- Ageing workforce
- Eyesight, increased MSDs issues, acoustics, poor habits i.e. working postures
- Graduates
3: Productivity issues led by Peter Buckle (IEHF), Bev Norris (NPSA) and Susan Brydon (GSK).
- Return on investment
- GSK Toolkit
- Pfizer format, ergonomic hazard tool
- NHS risk assessment overnight (staffing levels, etc.)
- Lean thinking
- Proactively seeking ideas out
- Productivity of health & safety staff
- Environment has an impact on productivity
- Not measuring psychosocial factors
- More engagement means better productivity
Several topics were identified as needing prioritisation. The first of these is the relationship between human performance and quality. The ability of individuals to detect errors is implicit in quality control, yet in the pharma industry many examples were provided where errors were endemic. The contribution of human factors knowledge to designing out such problems was seen as a major area for development.
A second area seen as having potential for greater development was that of a database of good practice, especially where the health of the workforce was concerned. The levels of musculoskeletal disorders still occurring in manufacturing areas remains a concern. Changes in work practices did not always take account of such issues, for example moving from eight to twelve hour shifts, with serious consequences for health and wellbeing. We welcome wider involvement from the industry in developing a good practice library of cases.
The overlap between the environmental and ergonomic impacts of manufacturing was seen as a topic where little attention has yet been paid within the pharmaceutical industry. Ergonomic approaches to the design of products and processes have already demonstrated great potential for reducing energy and other factors known to be environmentally wasteful or damaging (e.g. packaging, cleaning materials). There appears to be ample evidence that the pharma industries could be doing more to lead on such matters. The potential for developing workshops and other meetings at which case studies could be presented and discussed was recognised and opportunities to stage such as event are being pursued. Knowledge and experience may also be shared through web-based case studies. From the day, the future needs in each of the three themes were documented:
1: Safety and reputation
- Embed ergonomics at a higher level in an organisation
- Ensure ergonomic solutions work globally
- Ensure employees take responsibility
- Change perceptions of risk or design out risk
- Engage with designers/architects
- Ensure balance between OHS & safety of drugs
- Manage change going forward
- Build ergonomics into contracts
- Reduce the negative perception of health & safety
- Reposition ergonomics by linking safety and quality
- Procurement – link with all departments and building in ergonomics requirements
2: Health issues
- Identify current level of mental health support globally
- Share best practice (global database) or per business
- Provide checklists and advice for vehicle selection
- Ensure sustainability of procurement of furniture
- Encourage good practice in IT procurement
- Ensure face to face contact with managers
3: Productivity issues
- Give examples of best practice
- Develop a tool which identifies productivity, embed it
- Ensure learning from environmental sustainability
- Develop ergonomics targets
- Improve the approach to return on investment
If you would like to receive information on the next meeting or become part of the Alliance contact either Martina Clooney at martina.c.clooney@gsk.com or Professor Peter Buckle at petebuckle@aol.com.
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