OSHA: Ergonomics

Which of the following activities could lead to injuries?

- Working in awkward positions for long periods - Cold temperatures - Repeatedly performing the same tasks - Exerting excessive force

Maurice works for a company that removes dead or dying trees and other plant life from clients' properties and regularly uses a chainsaw to help him with his job. Recently, he has been feeling numbness and tingling in his fingers and hands. What is a possible cause of these symptoms?

Exposure to vibration

You should reach across something to lift a load. Is this true or false?

False

If you have to turn while lifting, be sure to use both your torso and your feet. Is this true or false?

False; just feet

What's the most important benefit of maintaining a neutral posture?

It helps prevent injuries from occurring.

Which of the answer options below are parts of your body that can be affected by poor ergonomics?

All

Static postures

Static postures occur when you are performing work that causes you to hold the same posture or position for an extended period of time. Working in these positions can restrict your blood flow and damage your muscles.

Joe is lifting boxes to load a trailer. To follow proper lifting procedures, Joe should:

- Bend at the knees - Keep his back straight - Lift with his legs

We know that lifting heavy loads can cause injury. What other actions can cause injury?

- Lifting moderate or lighter loads repetitively. - Lifting in an awkward position.

What parts of the body can be affected by musculoskeletal disorders?

- Muscles - Nerves - Blood vessels - Ligaments - Tendons

Which of the following tactics can reduce the likelihood of injury?

- Taking breaks - Use ergonomic props - Use low vibration tools - Use tools to reduce the need to perform repetitive actions

Define ergonomics

science of adjusting environments, tasks, or procedures to fit you, the worker

Before you lift, you should check your lift pathway to make sure it's clear, flat, and dry. Is this true or false?

True

correct sequence for proper lifting techniques:

1. Stand close to the load with your feet shoulder width apart, one foot slightly in front of the other for balance. 2. Squat down, bending at the knees, keeping your back as vertical as possible. 3. Get a firm grasp of the object. 4. Slowly begin straightening your legs, not twisting your body. 5. Keep the object as close to the body as possible and begin moving forward towards your destination.

Awkward postures

Awkward postures are unsupported positions that can stretch your physical limitations. These postures can compress your nerves and irritate tendons. They may include bending, twisting, working with your hands above your head, or working with your elbows above your shoulders.

If you work with your head bent over something or have to squat or kneel for more than 2 hours per day, you are at risk for injury. What should the solution be?

Consider raising and/or tilting the work for better access or using a stool for ground-level work. In some cases, long-handled tools can be used so that you can stand upright and work. If none of these will work, it at least helps some to alternate between different postures, so that you don't spend too much time in any one position.

If you have a job where you work with the elbows above your shoulders for more than 2 hours per day or work with the hands above your head for more than 2 hours per day, you are at risk of sustaining an ergonomic injury. What should the solution be?

In order to reduce reach distances, consider using elevated racks that can be lowered, using a platform or step to reduce the reach needed, or using a pullout step if loading goods onto a vehicle.

Leah works on an assembly line for electronic parts, where she monitors her area for defects and quality checks individual pieces by hand. Since about a month ago, Leah has noticed that her finger has been jerking sometimes when she moves it. What is a possible cause of this symptom?

Repeatedly using index fingers

If your job involves gripping 10 or more pounds of force for 2 or more hours per day or pinching 2 or more pounds of weight or 4 or more pounds of force for 2 or more hours per day, you are at risk for ergonomic injury due to awkward grip. What should the solution be?

See if there are ways to design work layout to reduce hand-carrying or reduce the number of items carried at one time. If possible, use non-pinch grip postures and ergonomically designed tools or aids. If feasible, see if such jobs can be rotated among co-workers.

Select the word that best completes the sentence. A good posture is one that places the least amount of _______ on your muscles and joints.

Stress

Daisha recently got a job as a cashier at a local supermarket, and she's noticed that she's performing repetitive and forceful manual tasks without time to recover, since the store gets very busy when she's on her weekend and evening shifts. What symptoms could be a result of this action at her job?

loss of strength and sensation in the thumbs, index, or middle or half of the ring fingers.