ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics aims to encourage and smooth the progress of the design of work tasks and systems, workplaces, and products from the standpoint of comfort, performance, health, safety and welfare of workers and users, by applying some basic ergonomics principles has the potential to improve the comfort, health, safety and welfare of workers and users. Ergonomics removes barriers to quality, productivity, and safe human performance by fitting products, tasks and environments to people.

Awkward Posture - is the position of the body while performing work activities. Awkward posture is associated with an increased risk for injury. It is generally considered that the more a joint deviates from the neutral (natural) position, the greater the risk of injury.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) - injuries and disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal disc; examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, and tension neck syndrome.

Force - the amount of muscular effort required to perform a task. Generally, the greater the force, the greater the degree of risk. High force has been associated with Work Related (MSD) at the shoulder/neck, the low back and the forearm/wrist/hand.

Duration - is the length of exposure to a risk factor. It can be measured as the minutes or hours per day the worker is exposed to a risk. Duration can also be viewed as the years of exposure to a risk factor. In general, the greater the duration of exposure to a risk factor, the greater the degree of risk. However, specific duration guidelines have not been established for risk factors such as force, posture and repetition.

Repetition - is the number of a similar exertions performed during a task. A warehouse worker may lift three boxes per minute from the floor to a countertop; an assembly worker may make 20 units per hour. Repetitive motion has been associated with injury and worker discomfort. Generally, the greater the number of repetitions, the greater the degree of risk.

Engineering Control - physical changes to jobs that control exposure to risk: engineering controls act on the source of the hazard and control employee exposure to the hazard without relying on the employee to take self-protective action or intervention. For example this could include: changing the handle angle of a tool (especially for left handed workers), using a lighter weight part, and providing a chair that has adjustability.

Risk assessment controls measures and the application of ergonomics - Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and the Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, emphasise the application of ergonomics in risk reduction, which can include work design and work organisation. Interventions, which are aimed to reduce risks identified by the assessment process, should involve the workforce and/or their representatives, be introduced on a trial basis and monitored for effectiveness.

Back injuries - up to 70% of people have suffered back pain at some time in their lives. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures show that 25% of all accidents are associated with manual handling; the resulting injuries are most commonly sprains or strains, often of the back. These injuries result in much pain, suffering, lost working time and financial loss, and the frequency appear to be increasing.

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