ERGONOMICS
 

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) result when there is a mismatch between the physical capacity of workers and the physical demands of their jobs. Each year 1.8 million workers in the United States report work-related MSDs such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back injuries. The solution to eliminating or lessening these injuries lies with ergonomics, the science of fitting the job to the worker. A full workplace investigation to look for actions that typically trigger MSDs would cover items such as:

  1. Repetition - repeating the same motion every few seconds for two hours at a time, or using a device (such as a keyboard and/or mouse) steadily for more than four hours a day.
  2. Force - lifting more than 75 pounds at any one time, or pushing/pulling with more than 20 pounds of initial force (such as pushing a 65 pound box across a tile floor) for more than two hours total per day.
  3. Awkward Postures - repeatedly raising or working with the hands above the head for more than two hours a day, or working with the back, neck, or wrists bent for more than two hours total per day.
  4. Contact Stress - using the hand or knee as a hammer more than ten times an hour for more than two hours total per day.
  5. Vibration - using tools or equipment that typically have a high vibration levels (such as chainsaws, jack hammers, or percussive tools) for more than 30 minutes a day or using tools with moderate vibration levels (such as jig saws, grinders, etc.) for more than two hours a day.

DeLisle can provide trained professionals to assess and make recommendations that reduce the chance of MSDs in your workforce.

 

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