11016933 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Alabama Retail is committed to partnering with our members to create and keep safe workplaces. Be sure to

11016933 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Alabama Retail is committed to partnering with our

members to create and keep safe workplaces.

Be sure to check out all of the training tools that are available in our Safety

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Ergonomics—The Case of the Ruptured Tendon

11016933 ©2003

P O W E R P O I N T ® T R A I N I N G


Ergonomics and MSDs

1.8 million work-related MSDs each yearErgonomics—science of fitting job to the workerMSD—injury of the nerve system or tissueCarpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, etc.Shooting pain, stiffness, swelling, numbness


Take a Look at the Facts

Employee is working at a manufacturing facility moving wood from shelving to pallet lift

Shelving is waist highPallet lift is slightly

higher than shelving

Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

Employee lifts wood stock off shelvingWood stock is placed onto pallet liftEmployee ruptures tendon near bicepEmployee says he did nothing out of the ordinary


What Do You Think Went Wrong?

Do you think job repetition had something to do with this injury?

Do you think the weight of the wood stock contributed to the injury?

Do you think the worker was able to use correct lifting techniques?

How does the proper use of a lift reduce the potential for injury?


Let’s Review the Causes

Worker was:

Lifting two pieces at a time Not using the

pallet lift effectively Exposed to repetitive motion

Lifting with an awkward posture


Ergonomic Risk Factors

Repetition ForceAwkward postures Contact stressVibration


Keys to Ergonomic Lifting

Use correct lifting techniquesItems between knee

and shoulder heightDecrease weight of

objects or distance carriedUse material-handling aidsDo not exceed your

lifting limits


Don’t Let It Happen to You

Change positions, take stretch breaks

Maintain good posture Identify and eliminate

ergonomic risk factorsUse material-handling aidsReport MSD symptoms


Quiz

1. What is a musculoskeletal disorder?

2. Ergonomics is the science of what?

3. What are the three ergonomic risk factors of lifting?

4. Describe a couple of engineering controls that can reduce exposure to lifting hazards.

5. Name some examples of MSD symptoms.

Quiz (cont.)

6. Name an administrative control that can reduce exposure to repetition.

7. What can you do to improve posture when lifting?

8. Name some examples of common MSDs.


Quiz Answers

1. Q. What is a musculoskeletal disorder?

A. Injury to soft tissue or nervous system.

2. Q. Ergonomics is the science of what?

A. Science of fitting the job to the worker.

3. Q. What are the three ergonomic risk factors of lifting?

A. Force, posture, repetition.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

4. Q. Describe a couple of engineering controls that can reduce exposure to lifting hazards.

A. Mechanical lifts, conveyors, material-handlingaids, etc.

5. Q. Name some examples of MSD symptoms. A. Shooting pain, numbness, tingling, stiffness, etc.

6. Q. Name an administrative control that can reduceexposure to repetition.

A. Job rotation.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

7. Q. What can you do to improve posture when lifting?

A. Lifting techniques, lift between knee and shoulder,

reduce weight of object.

8. Q. Name some examples of common MSDs.

A. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, sciatica.

Documents

11016933 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Alabama Retail is committed to partnering with our members to create and keep safe workplaces. Be sure to