You've probably heard the term "ergonomics" before.
It's a relatively new field of study concerning how a person
interacts with the working environment. "Ergonomics" is
a broad field, but the basic goal of an ergonomics program is
injury prevention. This injury prevention is accomplished by
fitting the job to the worker instead of fitting the worker to
the job. This week's Tail Gate Safety Topic takes a look
at ergonomic concerns in the workplace, and what you can do to
prevent injuries caused by poor ergonomics. Many of the
suggestions in this topic can be adapted for use outside the
workplace, helping you to prevent injuries at home.
Injuries arising from poor ergonomic conditions typically
involve the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and nerves. Symptoms
of these injuries are:
painful joints
pain, tingling or numbness in hands or feet
pain in wrists, shoulders, forearms, knees, etc.
back or neck pain
fingers or toes turning white
shooting or stabbing pains in arms or legs
swelling or inflammation
stiffness
weakness or clumsiness in hands
burning sensations
heaviness
These symptoms could also be the result of other medical
conditions, so check with your doctor if you are concerned about
any of these.
The good news is that ergonomic problems can usually be solved
by simple, common-sense solutions. Injuries that are caused by
awkward posture can be prevented by improving your position while
you work. Any time you must twist your body, work overhead,
kneel, bend over, or squat you increase your risk of an injury.
Repetition of these movements further increases your chance of
injury.
Occasional awkward posture is probably no cause for alarm, but
if you find yourself repeatedly bending, stretching, and
twisting, making some simple adjustments to the work environment
can solve the problem of awkward posture. Your workstation may
need some adjustment, or the materials you use in performing your
job may need to be re-arranged to eliminate bending, twisting,
and other awkward movements. Store frequently-used materials in
front of you at waist height. Heavier objects should not be
placed overhead but they don't have to be on the floor, either.
Place them at a level so they are easier to lift. Use of
mechanical lifting equipment may also be possible.
Repetitive motion tasks can also lead to injuries. If your job
requires you to make the same motions repeatedly, consider
learning the correct posture for the job. Check with your
company's safety department for ideas on reducing injury from
repetitive motion tasks. You may find that there is equipment
available to use which will reduce your chance of injury.
However, don't depend only on a back or wrist brace to protect
you. Your best prevention is to maintain the correct position for
the task, take recommended breaks, and do any recommended
exercises to help prevent injury.
Some other causes of ergonomic injuries are:
sustained muscle exertion, which reduces blood flow to
the muscles and causes muscle strains and sprains
contact stresses, which are injuries that occur due to
repeated contact with a hard surface
extreme temperature, which can reduce sensitivity to pain
and reduce blood flow
vibration, which can reduce blood flow and sensory
response
In some of these cases it may not be possible to make a simple
adjustment to overcome the problem. Engineered controls may be
the best solution, so check with your safety department. There
are factors within your control, however. Sometimes you may be
tempted to use your body itself as a tool. Have you ever used
your hand or foot to kick or pound an object? Have you ever taken
a shortcut and neglected to use the right piece of equipment to
do the job? You may have substituted your hands for a vise, your
knee for a ram, or your back for a hand truck. All of these
situations put you at risk of an injury. That shortcut could cost
you a lot of time and unnecessary suffering. Think twice before
you use your body as a tool. It will thank you for it!
This week's Tail Gate Safety Topic has
discussed the symptoms and causes of injuries caused by poor
ergonomics. Being aware of the causes of injuries is the first
step in preventing them. As you work, take a look around you at
the situations which could cause an injury and take steps to
correct them. Fitting the job to the person is not a difficult
thing to do, and it will help keep you working injury-free for a
long time to come!
