Ergonomics

Scope

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. The number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) resulting from physical overexertion, and their associated costs, can be substantially reduced by applying ergonomic principles.

Implementing an ergonomic process can be effective in reducing the risk of developing MSDs in high-risk industries as diverse as construction, food processing, manufacturing, office jobs, healthcare, transportation, and warehousing.

Citation

• Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act — General duty clause, codified at 29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)

Key definitions

• Awkward postures: The awkward position your body is in, which in most cases, affects muscle groups that are involved in physical activity. Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A disorder affecting the hands and wrists, is the compression and entrapment of the median nerve where it passes through the wrist into the hand in the carpal tunnel.
• Contact stress: Occurs while pressing the body against a hard or sharp edge which can result in placing too much pressure on nerves, tendons, and blood vessels. For example, using the palm of your hand as a hammer can increase your risk of suffering an MSD.
• DeQuervain’s disease: A disease in which the tendon sheath of the thumb is inflamed.
• Forceful exertions: The amount of physical effort required to perform a task, such as heavy lifting or pushing/pulling, or to maintain control of equipment or tools. The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object, body posture, the type of activity, and the duration of the task.
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): Injuries and disorders of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage) and nervous system of the upper and lower limbs, neck, and lower back that are caused, precipitated or exacerbated by sudden exertion or prolonged exposure to physical factors such as repetition, force, vibration, or awkward posture.
• Raynaud’s syndrome: Occurs when the blood vessels of the hand are damaged as a result of repeated exposure to vibration for long periods of time. The skin and muscles are unable to get the necessary oxygen from the blood and eventually die.
• Repetition: The action of performing the same motions over and over again, placing stress on the muscles and tendons. The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of movement, the number of muscles involved, and the required force.
• Tendinitis: Tendon inflammation that occurs when a muscle or tendon is repeatedly tensed from overuse, vibration, or unaccustomed usage of the wrist and shoulder. With further exertion, some of the fibers that make up the tendon can actually fray or tear apart.
• Tenosynovitis: Inflammation or injury to the synovial sheath surrounding the tendon.
• Trigger finger: A disorder, that is attributed to the creation of a groove in the flexing tendon of the finger.
• Vibration: Operating vibrating tools or equipment that typically have high or moderate vibration levels such as sanders, grinders, chippers, routers, drills, and saws can lead to nerve damage.

Summary of requirements

• Define clear goals and objectives for the ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
• Encourage employees to report symptoms or injuries related to musculoskeletal disorders including, but not limited to, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, shoulder pain, epicondylitis, trigger finger, muscle strains, and back injuries.
• Establish administrative controls such as worker rotation, more task variety, and increased rest breaks.
• Establish evaluation and corrective action to periodically assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process and to ensure its continuous improvement and long-term success.
• Involve employees in work-site assessments, solution development and implementation.
• Provide personal protective equipment including knee pads, vibration reducing gloves, and similar devices.
• Provide training for employees to ensure they are aware of ergonomics and its benefits.