This document discusses ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in an industrial setting. It defines ergonomics as modifying jobs to fit people's capabilities in order to reduce MSDs caused by repetitive motions, forceful exertions, awkward postures, contact stress, and vibrations. It outlines general signs and symptoms of MSDs, common MSD types, and risk factors that can lead to MSDs like repetitive motions, forceful exertions, awkward postures, contact stress, and vibrations. The document recommends identifying and controlling MSD hazards through engineering controls, work practice changes, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment as part of an ergonomics management program.

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. Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Injuries 1.8 million MSD injuries each year 600,000 MSD injuries require Medical Treatment

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

5. What Are MSDs? Injuries to: Muscles Nerves Tendons—Tendinitis Ligaments Joints Spinal discs Image Credit: National Institutes of Health/NIAMS

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

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

8. 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

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

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

11. Common MSDs Carpal tunnel syndrome Low back pain Eye strain Tendinitis Trigger finger

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

13. 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

14. Forceful Exertions Inflammation of tendons, nerves, joints Contributing factors Type of grip Weight of object Body posture Type and duration of the task Repeatedly turning a screwdriver while pushing at the same time Image Credit: OSHA

15. 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

16. 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 Wresting wrists on the keyboard while typing

17. 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 Prolonged use of a grinder

18. What’s Wrong Here?

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Key Points to Remember Recognize MSD signs and symptoms Understand MSD hazards Take steps to control MSD hazards Report MSDs Participate in the Ergonomics Program