Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather than physically forcing the worker’s body to fit the job.
Adapting tasks, work stations, tools, and equipment to fit the worker can help reduce physical stress on a worker’s body and eliminate many potentially serious, disabling work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Ergonomics draws on a number of
scientific disciplines, including physiology, biomechanics, psychology, anthropometry,industrial hygiene, and kinesiology.
Who needs to know this??
You need to know about ergonomics if you are an employer or an employee in the manufacturing,construction, maritime, and agricultural industries and you or your employees’work activities and job conditions include:
•Repeating the same motion throughout your workday
•Working in awkward or stationary positions
•Lifting heavy or awkward items
•Using excessive force to perform tasks
•Being exposed to excessive vibration or
Why it is important?
If work tasks and equipment do not include ergonomic principles in their design,
workers may have exposure to undue physical stress, strain, and overexertion, including vibration, awkward postures, forceful exertions, repetitive motion, and heavy lifting. Recognizing ergonomic risk factors in the workplace is an essential first step in correcting hazards and improving worker protection.
What are MSDs?
MSDs, or musculoskeletal disorders, are injuries and disorders of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage) and nervous system. They can affect nearly all tissues, including the nerves and tendon sheaths, and most frequently involve the arms and back.
MSDs can cause a number of conditions,including pain, numbness, tingling, stiff joints,difficulty moving, muscle loss, and sometimes paralysis. Frequently, workers must lose time from work to recover; some never regain full health. These disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, sciatica, herniated discs, and low back pain.
MSD Risk Factors
• Awkward postures
• Static postures
• Quick motions
• Compression or contact stress
• Cold temperatures
How do We know if we have an MSD?
we could have a work-related MSD if we experience any of the following:
•Numbness in fingers
•Numbness in thighs,
•Difficulty moving finger,
•Stiff joints, or
What can you do to detect and prevent ergonomic hazards at your workplace?
MSDs are often easy to prevent. If you are an employer whose workplace poses ergonomic risk factors or whose workers report MSDs, you can address this problem by:
•Establishing an ergonomics program, and
•Providing and encouraging employees to participate in the ergonomics program and in decisions affecting their safety and health.
If you are an employee who is exposed to ergonomic risk factors, you should:
•Participate in your employer’s ergonomics program; and
•Provide feedback to supervisors and employers through available channels, such as an established employee safety and health committee.
Effective ergonomic programs should include the following elements:
•Management commitment and employee participation,
•Job hazard analysis,
•Controlling ergonomic risk,
•MSD management, and
•Training and education.
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