Ergonomics for

General Industry
Making the work fit the worker

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

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

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!

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

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:

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

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

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

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

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

Potential Consequences of
Excessive Use:

Knee Strains and Sprains

Tendonitis Inflammation of the tendons
Bursitis Inflammation of the bursa
Arthritis Inflammation of the joint

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

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

Administrative Controls:
Work

Breaks/Pauses
Rotation of Workers
Work Pace Reduction
Ergonomics awareness training

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Solutions:
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Knee Pads to
protect your knees

Anti Vibration
Gloves
Gripping Gloves

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

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

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!

Questions???