This document provides an overview of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) including: 1. Defining ergonomics as modifying jobs to fit people's capabilities and reduce MSDs through engineering controls, safe work practices, and PPE. 2. Detailing that MSDs are injuries caused by repetitive motions, forceful exertions, awkward postures, contact stress, or vibrations and affect over 1.8 million workers annually. 3. Explaining employers have a general duty to provide a hazard-free workplace under OSHA regulations regarding unregulated hazards like MSDs.

1. Ergonomics Industrial

2. Session Objectives You will be able to: Understand the principles of ergonomics Recognize the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) Understand our program for identifying, reporting, and controlling MSDs Know how to protect yourself from MSD injuries and reduce your risk

3. What Is Ergonomics? Modify jobs to fit capabilities of people Reduce MSDs Repetitive reaching, forceful exertions, bending and lifting, or working with vibrating equipment Engineering controls Safe work practices PPE

4. Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Injuries 1.8 million MSD injuries each year 600,000 MSD injuries require time away from work

5. Regulation Of Ergonomics General Duty Clause Applies to unregulated hazards Failure to keep a hazard-free workplace Hazard recognized by employer or employer’s industry Hazard could cause death or serious harm Method exists to correct the hazard

6. MSD-Type Injuries Repetitive Motion 63% Repetitive Placing, Grasping, or Moving Objects 20% Repetitive Use of Tools 8% Typing or Key Entry 9%

7. Characteristics of MSDs Occur from a single event or many small injuries Take weeks, months, or years to develop Produce no symptoms in early stages, but show symptoms after injury has occurred Contributing causes may occur at home and at work Same MSD may differ in severity from person to person doing a similar task

8. General Signs of MSDs Less strength for gripping Less range of motion Loss of muscle function Inability to do everyday tasks

9. MSD Symptoms Back and neck— shooting pain, stiffness Shoulders— pain, stiffness, loss of mobility Arms and legs— shooting pains, numbness Elbow and knee joints— pain, swelling, stiffness, soreness

10. MSD Symptoms (cont.) Hands and wrists— swelling, numbness, loss of strength Fingers— jerking movements, or loss of strength, mobility, and feeling Thumbs— pain at the base Feet and toes— numbness, tingling, stiffness, burning sensation

11. Outward Signs of MSDs Swelling or inflammation of joints Vigorously shaking hands Massaging hands, wrists, or arms Cradling arms Limping Stiff back

12. Common MSDs Carpal tunnel syndrome Low back pain Eye strain Tendinitis Trigger finger Image Credit: Cal OSH & NIOSH

13. Common MSDs (cont.) De Quervain’s disease—forceful grip Carpet layer’s knee—contact trauma Rotator cuff tendinitis— repetitive motion Herniated disk— bending and twisting Hand-arm vibration syndrome

14. Act on the Signs of MSD Act immediately: Report the problem Seek medical attention Early treatment and intervention can prevent permanent injury

15. What Do You Think? What do you think is causing this employee’s pain? How can this be improved? Employee experiences severe back pain often.

16. What Is Causing the Pain? Possibilities: Repetitive lifting of heavy objects Twisting while lifting Poor lifting techniques Lifting above shoulders Single lifting injury Poor conditioning

17. What Can Be Done? Use lifting aids Don’t twist Lift using your legs, not your back Use a stool or stepladder Don’t overdo it Keep your back in shape

18. Check Your Knowledge Loss of muscle function Which of these are MSD symptoms? Racing heart Pain Numbness Tingling          Dizziness Excessive cough Stiffness Swelling of joints

19. MSDs—Any Questions? Do you understand what MSDs are and the signs and symptoms of MSDs?

20. Risk Factors That Lead to MSDs Repetitive motions Forceful exertions Awkward postures Contact stress (pressure points) Vibrations

21. Risk Factor— Repetitive Motion Stress on muscles and tendons Contributing factors Duration and speed of repetitious movement Number of muscles involved Required force Raising and lowering the arm over and over again

22. Forceful Exertions Inflammation of tendons, nerves, joints Contributing factors Type of grip Weight of object Body posture Type and duration of the task Image Credit: OSHA

23. Awkward Postures Stress on muscles and tendons Contributing factors Reaching overhead Force the body must maintain to hold the position Holding fixed positions (static loading) Lifting while twisting, reaching, or turning

24. Contact Stress Pressing against or grabbing a hard object puts pressure on nerves, tendons, and blood vessels Contributing factors Repetition Duration of contact Grip strength required

25. Vibration Affects tendons, muscles, joints, nerves Contributing factors Prolonged grip Restricts blood supply to hands and fingers Tools without vibration dampening device Poor power tool maintenance

26. MSDs Related To Risk Factors De Quervain’s disease Trigger finger Rotator cuff syndrome Thoracic outlet syndrome Hand-arm vibration syndrome Repetition Posture Forceful Grip Contact Stress Prolonged Vibration

27. Can You Identify The Risk Factors?

28. Can You Identify The Risk Factors? (cont.) Repetitive motion Lifting or reaching awkward position excessive weight arms raised MSDs Torn tendon Tendinitis Back pain Risk Factors

29. MSD Risk Factors— Any Questions? Do you understand MSD risk factors and hazards?

30. Ergonomics Management Job assessment MSD reporting and response system Designated coordinator Training Encourage employee participation and reporting of MSDs

31. Identifying and Controlling MSD Hazards Determine whether MSD hazards exist and degree of risk Devise a control strategy with your input Implement control measures Training

32. Control Methods Install engineering controls including workstation layout and proper tools Institute work practice controls including neutral postures for performing tasks Administrative controls including rescheduling to reduce frequency or duration of exposure to MSDs Personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide a protective barrier between worker and MSD

33. How to Protect Yourself Change positions often; take stretch breaks Maintain neutral posture whenever possible Eliminate or reduce MSD risk factors Use material-handling aids Report MSD symptoms

34. MSD Prevention and Control—Any Questions? Do you think you understand what you need to know about the methods to manage, prevent, and control MSDs?

35. Recognize MSD signs and symptoms Understand MSD hazards Take steps to control MSD hazards Participate in the Ergonomics Program