Ergonomics and Injury Risk Management

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Questions and Answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to the risk of injury when the force applied exceeds tissue tolerance?

Frequency of manipulating the load

Posture while handling the load

Duration of task and shift

Use of personal protective equipment (correct)

What is a primary benefit of ergonomic approaches in manual material handling?

Reduce the distance from the load to the trunk (correct)

Increase stress when lifting loads

Eliminate the need for safety training

Encourage lifting loads at awkward angles

Which of the following is NOT part of the approaches to control manual material handling (MMH) risks?

Redesigning the workplace

Redesigning the job

Redesigning the load

Increased frequency of load manipulation (correct)

What is the most effective risk mitigation strategy according to the Hierarchy of Control?

Elimination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques is specifically mentioned as useful for diagnosing MMH risks?

Video analytics Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the use of ergonomic assessment tools like NIOSH Lifting Equation?

They eliminate all ergonomic risks immediately Signup and view all the answers

According to the Hierarchy of Control, after elimination, what should be the next step in risk management?

Engineering controls Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is linked with the widespread adoption of the Hierarchy of Control in risk management?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?

Poor posture and handling heavy loads Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the hierarchy of controls for dealing with dangerous items?

Get rid of the dangerous item Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is most likely to increase the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Repetitive hand/wrist motions Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is associated with Vibration White Finger?

Fingers turning white in cold conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents an example of an engineering control?

Redesigning a load to include handles Signup and view all the answers

What activity might lead to Trigger Finger?

Repetitive gripping motions Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when redesigning a load for better handling?

It should not exceed the width of a person’s shoulders Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for developing MSDs?

Short breaks during work Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an administrative control?

Implementing job rotation to reduce strain Signup and view all the answers

When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be used in the hierarchy of controls?

When all other controls have failed Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is commonly associated with the use of vibrating hand-held tools?

Vibration White Finger Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is characteristic of Tennis Elbow?

Pain on the outside of the elbow Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using ergonomically designed handles on loads?

To facilitate a power grip and reduce injury risk Signup and view all the answers

What factor can increase the risk of injury when combined with poor ergonomic practices?

High demands with low control Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of substitution in the hierarchy of controls?

Automate processes to eliminate manual handling Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to have a designated workspace for lifting tasks?

It helps workers avoid bending and lifting from the floor Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is specifically associated with overhead arm movements?

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is characteristic of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Tingling in fingers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following risk factors is NOT associated with Neck Tension Syndrome?

Repetitive overhead motions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of Rotator Cuff Tendonitis?

Pain triggered by raising or lowering the arm Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is likely to involve nerve compression due to pressure from tissues?

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of Lower Back Problems?

Traumatic injuries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can increase the risk of developing Rotator Cuff Tendonitis?

Direct trauma to the shoulder Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with Nerve impairment?

Swelling Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of reducing the pace of work on an assembly line?

To minimize frequency of handling loads Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is recommended to improve safe lifting practices?

Get the load close to the body Signup and view all the answers

Why is personnel training important for workers engaging in manual handling?

To improve skills and muscle memory Signup and view all the answers

Which factor should be considered during personnel selection for manual handling tasks?

The worker's age and muscular strength Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of a worker’s physical examination is crucial before assigning manual handling tasks?

Static tests for isometric strength Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding personal protective equipment (PPE)?

PPE should match specific hazards Signup and view all the answers

What measures can be taken to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD)?

Implement task variations Signup and view all the answers

When conducting a battery of tests for personnel selection, what is the purpose?

To ensure individual capability for the required tasks Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### Risk of Injury When Force Exceeding Tissue Tolerance

Injury risk increases when force applied exceeds tissue tolerance
Risk factors include: - Force of load:
- Posture while handling load:
- Frequency of manipulating load:
- Duration of task & shift:
- Environment in which task is carried out:

### Ergonomics Principles

Reduce distance between load and trunk
Increased stress when lifting load further away from center of mass

### Ergonomic Approaches to Identify & Quantify Risks

Techniques are easy to administer but make assumptions.
NIOSH Lifting Equation, REBA, RULA: good for pre-post measurement to illustrate ergonomic intervention improvement.
Techniques that can diagnose MMH use IMUs & video analytics to quantify risks, requiring deeper analysis.

### Approaches to Control MMH Risks

Redesigning the workplace:
Redesigning the load:
Redesigning the job:

### Hierarchy of Control

Prioritizes risk mitigation methods with most effective first, with personal protective equipment as last resort
Earliest formal presentations were in 1950 by the National Safety Council
Widely adopted after the creation of OSHA & NIOSH in the 1970s
Hot Stove Analogy:
- Best - Turn off the stove (Eliminate)
- Second Best - Use microwave instead (Substitute)
- Third Best - Put barrier around stove (Engineering Control)
- Less Effective - Teach people to be careful (Administrative Control)
- Least Effective - Wear oven mitts (PPE)

### Redesign the Job

Elimination: - Can liquid be transferred through pipes, eliminating need for human lifting?
Substitution: - Can twisting action be substituted with robotic arm?
Engineering Control: - Can workplace introduce a lifting tool? - Can pail be redesigned to include handles that facilitate lifting?
Administrative Control: - Can workers be taught proper lifting techniques?
PPE: - Can a back support belt be provided? - Would anti-slip gloves help?

### Examples of Engineering Controls

Common lifting tools: - Forklifts - Lifting hoists - Lifting jacks - Pallet trucks - Winches - Cranes - Chain blocks

### Engineering Control: Redesign the Workplace

Provide work equipment, tools, & surfaces to assist material handlers in completing tasks.
If no surface is available to place loads, bending to lift will be required.

### Engineering Control: Redesign the Load

Redesigning loads reduces risk imposed on workers.
Guidelines: - Load size should not be wider than shoulders for one person carry. - Abnormal shapes & uneven weight make loads difficult to handle. - Loads should be of proper form & shape for a good grip. - Add handles & improve grip to increase coupling. - Allow for a power grip, avoiding pinched fingers. - Handles should ensure hand & forearm postures aligned and not bent.

### Examples of Administrative Controls

Implement job rotation: manual handling tasks alternated with light work, like computer work.
Reduce pace of work: important when work is not self-paced, like on an assembly line.
Increase rest breaks: allows body to recuperate, reducing frequency & duration of handling loads.
Reduce repetitive motions: through task variation, giving workers multiple tasks to switch between.
Training workers in lifting techniques: loads should not be handled below the knee or above the shoulders
Personnel Selection: select people who are fit for the task.

### Personnel Training (Conditioning)

Proper lifting techniques training includes practice to improve skills & muscle memory.
Make the body physically fit, making it less susceptible to injury.
Teach biomechanics: - Get the load close to the body. - Do not twist the back or bend sideways. - Do not continue lifting/carrying when the load is too heavy.

### Personnel Selection

Consider worker's personal characteristics when evaluating manual handling risk: - Age: muscular strength starts declining in older workers. - Experience in lifting loads in previous jobs: helps with conditioning, reducing injury.
Screen workers through medical (physical) examinations before assigning manual handling work.
Screening may include: - Physiological examination: - Targeted biomechanical examination to assess musculoskeletal strength. - Psychophysical examination. - Static tests to assess isometric strength. - Dynamic strength tests.

### Personnel Selection continued

Develop battery of task-simulating tests to evaluate individuals before hiring.

### Personal Protective Gears

Key Considerations: - Match PPE to specific hazards - Ensure proper fit and comfort - Follow regulatory requirements - Provide training on correct use

### Exoskeleton

New lifting tool? New hazard?

### Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD)

Caused by work-related activities.
Tendonitis commonly affects shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and Achilles tendons.
Nerves: - Pressure from tissues within body or hard surfaces = nerve compression. - Nerve impairment = numbness, tingling, & pain.
Blood vessels: - Compression reduces blood flow (oxygen supply) = quicker fatigue.

### Overhead Tasks

Flexed & abducted upper arms at the shoulder with hands above shoulder level.
Neck extensors counteract weight of tilted head.
Strongly associated with shoulder injuries and pain.
Can also impact neck and back.

### Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Impingement of the neurovascular bundle at the thoracic outlet.
Symptoms: - Pain or weakness in the shoulder & arm. - Tingling in fingers. - Arm fatigue. - Sometimes atrophy of hand muscles.
Risk factors: - Repetitive overhead arm movements. - Over-exertion at the shoulders. - Traumatic injuries (e.g., car accidents).

### Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Inflammation of the tendons in the rotator cuff.
Symptoms: - Pain & swelling in the front of the shoulder & side of arm. - Pain triggered by raising or lowering arm.
Risk factors: - Repetitive overhead motions, especially in sports like swimming, tennis, and baseball. - Occupations requiring frequent overhead work. - Age-related degeneration of tendons. - Poor posture or shoulder mechanics. - Direct trauma to the shoulder.

### Neck Tension Syndrome

Irritation of group of muscles in the neck.
Symptoms: - Pain & tightness in the neck, shoulders, & upper back.
Risk factors: - Poor posture, especially from prolonged computer/phone use. - Stress & anxiety. - Sleeping in awkward positions. - Repetitive neck movements. - Teeth grinding (bruxism).

### Lower Back Problems

Can be muscle strain, sprain, disc herniation, joint injury, nerve impingement, inflammation, or muscle guarding.
Causes: - Poor posture - flexion of spine. - Handling heavy loads.
Risk Factors: - Numbness & pain in the lower-back, lower limbs. - Spondylosis.

### Risk Factors Associated with MSDs

Awkward Posture: deviation from neutral postures, e.g. pipetting or sewing industry; arm elevation above 60°.
Sustained positions increase risk, especially overhead.
Repetitions worsen with rapid work pace.
High force / shock / heavy lifting and forceful manual exertions.
Long duration with insufficient recovery time.
Exposure to vibration or mechanical compression.
Increased risk of injury when worker exposed to more than one factor.
Any of these in combination with each other or undesirable features of the psychosocial work environment (high demands and low degree of control over one's work) increases risk.

### Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Compression of median nerve in carpal tunnel of wrist.
Symptoms: - Numbness/tingling in thumb, index, middle fingers. - Hand/wrist pain, especially at night. - Weakness in thumb.
Risk factors: - Repetitive hand/wrist motions. - Conditions like arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy.

### Vibration White Finger

Condition caused by regular & frequent use of vibrating hand-held tools or machinery.
Also known as Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
Symptoms: - Numbness and tingling in fingers. - Loss of sensation and dexterity in hands. - Fingers turning white (blanching), especially in cold conditions.
Risk factors: - Prolonged exposure to vibrating tools like power drills, chainsaws, sanders, grinders, etc.

### Trigger Finger

Condition where a finger or thumb catches or locks when bent.
Symptoms: - Pain & stiffness at the base of the affected finger. - A catching or popping sensation when moving the finger. - Finger getting stuck in a bent position.
Risk factors: - Repetitive gripping motions. - Certain medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout.

### Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Pain on the outside of the elbow.

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Description

This quiz covers the relationship between force application and tissue tolerance, highlighting ergonomic principles that can help reduce injury risk. It also explores various ergonomic approaches for identifying, quantifying, and mitigating risks associated with manual material handling (MMH). Understand how to implement effective control strategies in the workplace.