Ergonomic hazard

There are various factors that can cause or promote ergonomic hazards in work. Some of this factors are:

• Awkward posture

When the body deviates significantly from the neutral position while doing work related activities. Awkward postures reduce work efficiency due to the unnecessary reach or stretch of the body neutral position. When awkward posture is sustained for a long period of time, muscles and nerve pinch may occur. Examples include twisting, reaching, pulling, lifting, bending or any other posture that can cause pain when sustained for a prolonged period.[2]

• Static posture

Static posture is a posture that workers hold over a certain period of time when performing a job or a work. It is a problem because a lot of people do not pay attention to this posture because the are used to it now or are not aware of the damages that can be caused by that posture. static posture exposure can lead to Muscle pain and also joint issues. Static posture among workers in industries are very frequent.[3]

• Contact stress

Contact stress is another factor that can cause ergonomic hazard because it occurs when some part of a worker's body such as the knees, elbows, wrists or fingers, touches or rubs up against a sharp, hard, or inflexible surface repetitively or for a long period of time without moving it. The surface could be a workstation, a ladder, the floor, the handle of a bucket or a tool.[4] Some other contact stress can be created through pushing, gripping, pinching, pulling, and lifting objects that can place additional force on the body's joints. Increasing these forces requires additional muscle exertion, and places greater loads on joints and connective tissues which can cause fatigue and may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders when there is inadequate time for rest and recovery.[5]

• Repetitive motion

Repetitive motion is the reoccurrence of certain movement repeatedly for a long period of time that will cause muscles fatigue and will eventually result to nerve damage. This motion can result in injury to the soft tissues, such as nerves, muscles, and tendons. some of these injuries are called tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, and, more. These motions require breaks in-between activity to help the nerve or muscles recover to ensure productivity.[6]

• High forces

High forces are forces need to perform work which can cause issues to muscles and joints. The high force load can become a problem if the amount of the force used has made the body or part of the body reach exertion.the force might come in the form of gripping, pinching, pushing, pulling and lifting objects.[7]

Prevention of ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal disorder is multifaceted and can be complex. It is important to keep in mind that ergonomics tries to fit the job to the worker, not the worker to the job.[8] One way to approach ergonomic hazards in the workplace, or any other setting where they occur, is to use the Hierarchy of Controls (controlling hazards using Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, and/or PPE controls).[9]

• Elimination is the practice of removing a hazard from the work operation so there is no longer risk of harm.[9] For ergonomic hazards the following practices could be implemented to eliminate a hazard;
  1. Redesign the work area to get rid of the need for reaching, bending, or staying in awkward postures for an extended period of time.
  2. Provide carts, dollies, or jacks for heavy items to be moved on so they do not have to be lifted.[10]
     

     Figure 2. The Hierarchy of Controls, published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Substitution is the practice of replacing the current hazard with one that is not as harmful.[9] For ergonomic hazards the following practices could be implemented to substitute a hazard;
  1. Replace very heavy materials with a lighter alternative.
  2. Replace a low quality chair or equipment with higher quality, softer, or padded materials.[11]
• Engineering is the practice of physically separating a hazard from the worker.[9] For ergonomic hazards, the following engineering hazards could be implemented;
  1. Design frequently lifted items to have easily gripped handles.
  2. Provide adjustable chairs, tables, stools, or workstations so they can be fitted to the specific worker's height.[10]
• Administrative controls are policies are regulations in the workplace to help prevent a hazard.[9] For ergonomic hazards, the following administrative controls could be implemented;
  1. Rotate workers from task to task so people are not using the same muscle groups for an extended period of time.
  2. Provide sufficient breaks for workers to rest.
  3. Store heavy materials at waist level.
  4. Provide training to employees for safe lifting.[10]
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) controls are typically items a worker wears to protest them from a hazard.[9] For ergonomic hazards, the following PPE could be used to protect a worker from ergonomic hazards;
  1. Back braces
  2. Lifting belts
  3. Lifting straps[11]

Figure 3. An example of good ergonomic practices in an office setting

As defined above, ergonomics tries to fit the job to the worker, not the worker to the job.[8] With this in mind, whenever there is a worker and a job there will be ergonomic considerations to keep in mind. A very common setting where ergonomic issues could arise is in the office setting.[12][13] Many people who work in an office, either a home office or a formal office building, often spend hours sitting and working in the same position. Considerations include chair and monitor height adjustment, lighting position, break frequency, and chair design.[12]

Those working in manufacturing settings are prone to repetitive actions, awkward postures, high forces, and prolonged exposure to vibrations from equipment and/or tools.[14] These exposures could not only result in increased rates of musculoskeletal disorders, but could also cause worker to develop cumulative trauma disorder.[14] There are many risk factors that are specific to manufacturing settings that put workers at greater risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders and cumulative trauma disorders. Workers engage in such activities as; pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying very heavy loads, bending and reaching for loads, twisting the body, and other very high intensity and energy exerting tasks.[14]

Figure 4. An example of a portable platform used to transport items. Eliminates the need for lifting.

It is very important to manage ergonomic risk factors and reduce employee exposure to those risk factors. Effective ergonomics practices can improve employee health, increase productivity, increase manufacturing quality, decrease cost, improve profitability, and create and grow a better, healthier team of employees.[15]

The following tips and practices[14] can be implemented by employees and company management alike to help improve ergonomics in the manufacturing setting.

• Awkward posture

Work stations should be kept at an appropriate height for the employee, based on their needs and the task being performed. The work surface should be at an appropriate height, with commonly used items within easy reach to prevent the need for reaching and awkward stretching.[14] Stools or chairs should be provided when appropriate for tasks to reduce the time employees need to stand.[14] Knee pads should be provided to prevent the need to squat if work needs to be done on the ground.[14]

• Static posture

Static posture in manufacturing ergonomics I seen to come through the assembly line process. many manufacturing companies have quite a number of workers who stand for the duration of their shift which take a toll on the workers over time.

• Contact stress

Using lifting aids and lift assist devices can reduce the force placed on the employee's body during lifting tasks.[14] Using carts, conveyors, or automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can help employees manage and carry heavy loads better, or even automate the lifting and carrying process.[14]

When transporting heavy loads, try to push the load rather than pull. Pushing uses the body's stronger back and leg muscles.[14] Ensure that the wheels on a cart or transporting device are appropriate for the surface on which it will be moved, as well as the materials it will be moving. Make sure preventative maintenance is performed on carts and moving equipment so they can continue to be used properly.[14]

• Repetitive motion

Using, and training employees on how to use, proper lifting techniques can ease the burden of awkward lifting postures. Lifting by bending at the hips and knees, and lifting within the "lifting safety zone" (between the elbows and knuckles), can reduce forces on parts of the body while lifting.[14]

• High force

High forces in the manufacturing industry can come from the lifting of products from one point to the other. It becomes a problem when it is been done for a long long period of time which increases stress and fatigue to the muscles and joints which over time causes pain and discomfort

Figure 5. Many ergonomic considerations need to be kept in mind during construction tasks.

Construction work can involve floor and ground-level work, overhead work, lifting, holding, and handling materials, and hand-intensive work.[16] It is reported that back injuries in U.S construction was 50% higher than the average for all other U.S. industries.[16] Construction workers often experience backaches and pain in the shoulders, neck, arms, and hands, these symptoms often lead to musculoskeletal disorders and can cause health complications in the employees experiencing these symptoms. Employees have an increased risk of these injuries and health conditions if they often carry heavy loads, work on their knees, twist their hands and/or wrists, stretch to work overhead, use certain types of tools, use vibrating tools or equipment.[16] This industry, among others, has added pressure from tight deadlines creating a fast-paced work environment, often resulting in little attention being paid to ergonomic factors.

• Awkward posture

For some construction jobs, stooping or kneeling is required for tasks like finishing slabs, decks, or floor coverings. Bending, stooping, kneeling, or squatting can cause pain or discomfort in the employee's back or knees.[16] Not only can these activities cause pain and discomfort, but these physical positions can limit other job activities such as lifting, pushing, or pulling weights without substantial body stress.[16] Some potential solutions for these kinds of tasks and ergonomic hazards include raising the work on a worksurface so it is no longer needed to be done on the floor, but on a surface closer to the worker. Using tools with extension handles that allow the employee to work standing up could help eliminate the need to stoop and kneel. A device called a kneeling creeper could be used for tasks in which kneeling is required. This device offers chest support during the task to offer more body support during tasks.[16]

Working overhead is often required of construction employees. Drilling, driving fasteners, or finishing drywall are all tasks that would entail overhead work. This positioning could put stress on the neck, shoulders, and could reduce the ability for the employee to work safely.[16] Using lifts or hoists would help the employee become closer to the work surface to reduce the frequency and intensity of lifting materials overhead. Attaching extension shafts for drills can help eliminate the need to reach overhead at all, and could help protect the employee from overhead ergonomic complications. Another solution could be to use an extension pole for tools.[16] An extension pole is a fixed height pole attached to a powder-actuated tool, meaning the tool is out of the employee's hands, but they are still able to operate it.[16]

• Static posture

static posture in construction is a rear thing to see because of the amount of movement needed to complete all the Construction process except in the office setting where planing is done.

• Contact stress

Many tasks on construction sites involve lifting, holding, and handling materials. This lifting and holding can strain the lower back, shoulders, neck, arms, hands, and wrists.[16] Many tools are used today that are mechanical, but some tasks still need to be done manually.[16] Using a power vacuum to lift large, lighter items such as a pane of glass can remove the need to lift items manually and can take most, if not all, of the strain off of the employee's body. Receiving proper lifting training can also help prevent complications from lifting materials. Best lifting practices include; not reaching 10-in. away from the body when lifting or setting items down, not twisting your body, lift with your legs and not your back, lift items with two hands, instead of one.[16] Using substitution can help with lifting materials as well. Some construction materials are very dense and heavy, substituting these materials for lighter weight materials (such as lightweight concrete blocks) can help reduce body strain during work and lifting tasks.[16] Using skid plates under a concrete-filled hose can help move the hose easily, and can prevent the need for bending and awkward postured on the employee's part.[16]

• Repetitive motion

There are also more fine motor skills that are needed on a construction site and project, and these tasks can cause injuries such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, epicondylitis, and Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).[16] Substituting tools that do not fit the employee, with more ergonomic tools.[16] Take into consideration the handle, wrist position, handle diameter, and if the tool is spring-loaded.[16] Automated tools such as power caulking guns can help when completing tasks where caulking is needed. Vibrations from power tools can also cause injuries and long-term health effects. Using reduced vibration power tools, or issuing employees anti-vibration gloves can help reduce health effects from tool vibrations.

More specific examples and solutions for construction ergonomic hazards can be found in the NIOSH publication, "Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers".

• High forces

High forces are forces that workers put to lift objects during construction. in Construction, most of the work requires a certain amount of high force required to lift a heavy object. high forces in Construction is not only focused on heavy lifting but can be seen in the pushing, pulling, and gripping of tools. All these can lead to some ergonomic issues that might affect the work.

• Practice proper workplace ergonomics