Anthropometry and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Definitions - ERGONOMICS

• Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population
• Common examples of ergonomic risk factors are found in jobs requiring repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of heavy objects; and prolonged awkward postures
• The level of risk depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the exposure to these conditions
• These work-related factors may pose a risk of musculoskeletal disorders

Source: OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html

Definitions - Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs):

• Disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs
• Examples include: low back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis
• These disorders develop gradually over time and are not the result of instant events/accidents such as a slip, trip or fall
• The diagnosis of these disorders can range in severity from mild and intermittent to debilitating and chronic
• Their distinct features are defined primarily by the location of pain
• Ex. Low back pain
• Ex. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Source: NIOSH “Elements of ergonomics programs”. DHHS-NIOSH. Pub. No 97-117

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Signs and Symptoms of MSDs

• Pain
• Swelling
• Inflammation
• Tingling or Numbness
• Burning sensation
• Joint Stiffness
• Fingers turned white
• Early recognition and reporting is key to preventing workplace MSDs!

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Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs):�

• Musculoskeletal disorders to which the work environment and the performance of work contribute significantly, OR:
• Musculoskeletal disorders made worse or longer lasting by work conditions

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Workplace Hazards to �Muscles and Joints

• Usually when we think of workplace hazards we think of dangerous situations like working on scaffolds or working with chemicals and electricity
• But in any industry, there are also a number of every day work activities, movements and positions that can also cause serious injury to your body:

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• Bending
• Working in Awkward Positions
• Gripping
• Using Vibrating Equipment, Tools or Objects
• Kneeling
• Applying Force

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• Working Overhead
• Squatting/Stooping
• Lifting/Lowering
• Pulling/Pushing
• Holding/Carrying
• Repetitive Movements
• Twisting
• Over-reaching

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Anatomy Definitions

• Muscles – Provide the power for you to move your body parts
• Ligaments – Connect bone to bone, stabilizing joints
• Tendons – “Pulleys” that attach muscle to bone, helping to move body parts
• Joints – Connection between bones
• Nerves – Carry messages between the brain and other parts of the body

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Source: Asian Immigrant Women Advocates (AIWA), Ergonomic Training for General Industry, Slide 6, 2009

Back

Source: Soluciones Simples: Soluciones Ergonomicas para

Trabajadores de la Construccion, NIOSH. 2007. Page 7

Examples of Work Activities �Affecting the Back:

• Bending
• Lifting
• Working on the Ground (on hard floors)
• Squatting
• Bending and Twisting Body
• Bending and Lifting or Pushing/Pulling
• Carrying/Holding
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time

Potential Consequences of �Excessive Use:

• Strains – Stretch or tear injury to muscles and tendons
• Sprains – Stretch or tear injury to ligaments
• Bulging or ruptured discs
• Herniated Disc

Knees

Source: Soluciones Simples: Soluciones Ergonomicas para Trabajadores de la Construccion, NIOSH. 2007. Page 8

Examples of Work Activities �Affecting the Knee:

• Kneeling
• Working on the Ground (on hard floors)
• Bending
• Lifting
• Squatting
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time

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Potential Consequences of �Excessive Use:�

• Knee Strains and Sprains
• Tendonitis – Inflammation of the tendons
• Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa
• Arthritis – Inflammation of the joint

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Neck

Examples of Work Activities �Affecting the Neck:

• Working Overhead
• Bending down/up
• Hunching over workbench
• Leaning into computer
• Twisting

Potential Consequences of �Excessive Use:�

• Neck Strains and Sprains
• Neck Tension Syndrome
• Arthritis

Shoulders

Source: http://www.joint-pain-solutions.com/shoulder-bursitis.html

Examples of Work Activities �Affecting the Shoulder:

• Excessive force
• Over-reaching
• Constantly working overhead
• Highly repetitive motions

Potential Consequences of �Excessive Use:

• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Rotator Cuff Syndrome (painful muscle strain or tear in the tendons surrounding the shoulder joint)

Fingers, Hands and Wrist

Image Source:

Left: Soluciones Simples: Soluciones Ergonomicas para Trabajadores de la Construccion, NIOSH. 2007. Page 47.

Right: http://www.ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/hand/CarpalTunnelSyndrome.ap

Examples of Work Activities �Affecting the Fingers, Hands & Wrists:

• Work with Hand Tools
• Bending/Twisting wrists
• Repetitive movements
• Lifting Objects that are hard to grasp
• Working with Vibrating Tools
• Forceful Grasping/Gripping
• Using tools with sharp edges

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Potential Consequences of �Excessive Use:

• Tendonitis
• Trigger Finger
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome)

Solutions???

Solutions:

• Engineering Controls:
• Improve Design of Workstations
• Better Tools and Equipment

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• Administrative Controls:
• Work Breaks/Pauses
• Rotation of Workers
• Work Pace Reduction
• Ergonomics awareness training

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• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

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Solutions:�Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

• Knee Pads to protect your knees

• Anti Vibration Gloves
• Gripping Gloves

Source: OSHA. Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores. Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders 2004;

Soluciones Simples: Soluciones Ergonomicas para Trabajadores de la Construccion, NIOSH. 2007.

Solutions: �Proper Lifting

Source: OSHA. Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores. Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders 2004 page 14

Solutions: �Proper Sitting & Standing

Supported

Source: Asian Immigrant Women Advocates (AIWA), Garment Worker Ergonomic Training , Slide 15, 2009

Solutions: �Proper Sitting & Standing

Source: OSHA. Guidelines for

Retail Grocery Stores. Ergonomics

for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal

Disorders 2004 page 15

Solutions:�Better Tools and Equipment

Source: OSHA. Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores. Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders 2004;

Soluciones Simples: Soluciones Ergonomicas para Trabajadores de la Construccion, NIOSH. 2007.

Solutions:�Take extra caution in extreme temperatures!

• Cold reduces feeling, blood flow and strength
• Heat increases fatigue
• Possible solutions –
• Control temperature where possible
• Insulate the body against cold by wearing gloves and warm clothing
• Provide breaks and fresh water in hot environments

Source: Asian Immigrant Women Advocates (AIWA), Ergonomic Training for General Industry, Slide 6, 2009

Solutions:�Take Your Breaks!

• All employees working six or more hours in a shift must receive a 30-minute, uninterrupted, and unpaid meal period
• Your employer does not have to pay you for this lunch break but if any other breaks less than 20 minutes are provided they must be paid

Source: NYS Department of Labor Wages and Hours: Frequently

Asked Questions http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/faq.shtm#8

Source: Asian Immigrant Women Advocates (AIWA),

Garment Worker Ergonomic Training , Slide 17, 2009

Take Action!

• Talk to your co-workers
• Discuss work methods and Identify tasks that are difficult to perform
• Evaluate equipment
• Provide input on the design of workstations, equipment, procedures and training
• Talk to your employer
• Submit suggestions and concerns
• Recognize and Report injuries early!

OSHA

• With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
• Under the OSH Act's General Duty Clause, employers must keep their workplaces free from recognized serious hazards, including ergonomic hazards.
• You have a right to health and safety in your workplace regardless of immigration status!

Workers' Rights under �The OSH Act:

• Workers are entitled to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. To help assure a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA also provides workers with the right to:
• Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace;
• Use their rights under the law without retaliation and discrimination;
• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be in a language you can understand;
• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace;
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses;
• Get copies of their medical records;

Source: OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov/workers.html

Filing a Complaint

• Workers, or their representatives, may file a complaint and ask OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA standards.

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• A worker can tell OSHA not to let their employer know who filed the complaint

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• It is a violation of the Act for an employer to fire, demote, transfer or discriminate in any way against a worker for filing a complaint or using other OSHA rights.

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• You can file a complaint onlineYou can file a complaint online; download the formYou can file a complaint online; download the form [En EspanolYou can file a complaint online; download the form [En Espanol*] and mail or fax it to the nearest OSHA office; or call  1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Most complaints sent in on line may be resolved informally over the phone with your employer. Written complaints that are signed by a worker or their representative and submitted to the closest OSHA office are more likely to result in an on-site OSHA inspection. If you send in a complaint requesting an OSHA inspection, you have the right to find out the results of the OSHA inspection and request a review if OSHA decides not to issue citations.

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Source: OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov/workers.html

Filing a Complaint

• What Information Must the Employee Provide?   The following are examples of the type of information that would be useful to OSHA when receiving a complaint
• How many employees work at the site and how many are exposed to the hazard?
• How and when are workers exposed?
• How often and for how long do employees work at the task that leads to their exposure?
• How long (to your knowledge) has the condition existed?
• Have any attempts been made to correct the problem?
• What type of PPE does the employer require? Is it used?
• Specific questions for health hazards:
• Do any employees have any symptoms that they think are caused by the hazardous condition or substance?
• Have any employees been treated by a doctor for a work-related disease or condition? What was it?

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Source: OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html

Questions???