1. Ergonomics Primer
Important Concepts to Know and Remem ber Postu res to A void
Prevention is the most important strategy for --Prolonged or repetitive flexion or extension of
dealing with work-related musculoskeletal the wrist.
problems.
--Prolonged or repetitive bending at the waist.
Preventing work-related musculoskeletal problems
rests on an ergonomically sound w ork environment, --Prolonged standing or sitting without shifting
good work practices, and employee awareness. your position.
To keep work-related symptoms from recurring, --Suspending an outstretched arm for extended
something in your work practices or environment periods of time.
must im prove. If not, you won’t get b etter.
--Holding or turning your head consistently to one
Each person h as physical limits or a "c omfort side.
zone" of activities and work levels s/he can tolerate
without developing lingering symptoms. --Any unnatural posture that is held repeatedly or
for a prolonged time.
You must cut back temporarily when symptoms
occur. Mot ions to Avoid
--Repeated motion w ithout periods of rest.
Your body doesn't know which are w ork
activities and which are home or recreational --Repeated motion with little or no variation.
activities--the two add up, and one is not
necessarily w orse than the oth er. --Repeated motions done with great force.
Improper use or overuse of splints can cause --Resting or compressing a body part on or
symptoms that may be hard to distinguish from against a surface.
your original problem.
--Lifting heavy objects far away from the body.
To avoid work-related symptoms, stay in shape,
get adequate rest at night, and take care of --Frequent reaching or working above shoulder
yourself. height.
Factors Which May Contribute to Symptoms
Medical Conditions Associated w ith --Furniture or a work area arrangement which
Musculoskeletal Symptoms produces bad postures.
Muscle strain or fatigue
--Physically demanding work you are not
Tend onitis accustom to doing.
Epicondylitis or “tennis elbow” –Home or recreational activities which produce
stresses on the body similar to those at work.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
--Being “out of shape”.
Other “pinched” nerve entrapment syndrome
--Diminished muscle strength or joint flexibility.
Nerve injury/irritation from external compression
--Underlying arthritis.
Arthritis and other rhe umatolog ical disorders

2. Assessing Your Situation Medical Treatment
Anti-inflammatory medicines: include aspirin and
Your Work Environment ibuprofen. For some people, these can be hard on
Is your work arrangement sound? the stoma ch, howe ver.
Is there equipm ent which w ould make your work Ice: decreases pain and inflammation; use for
easier or less stressful? acute injuries.
Have you enlisted the aid of an OHS industrial Heat: stimu lates cir culatio n and f lexibility ; use in
hygienist? the post-acute phase.
Your Work Practices Splints: put a body part a t rest. Wrist splints are
Are you avoiding bad postures? often us ed for carp al tunnel sy ndrom e at night. In
some cases, splints can be used during w ork to
Are you taking breaks during repetitive activity? avoid bad po stures and red uce st ress on certain
body parts. They should only be used under the
Are you varying your activities to reduce direction of a medical provider; splints can produce
repetitive stress? “deconditioning” problems if overused.
Do you plan ahead to avoid periods of heavy Exercises: used to increase range of motion,
repetitive work under tight deadlines? strength, and flexibility; should be done only when
symptoms permit and to a degree that does not
Other Things to Consider cause problems.
Do you and your supe rvisor have an adequate
understanding of the ergonom ic issues and factors Steroid injections: beneficial in some cases.
involved your work?
Surgery: option of last resort when prescribed by
Do you an d your superv isor agree there are competent specialist. The correct operation done
reasonable limits to what a person can do? on a properly diagnosed patient will often help, but
there is no guarantee for improvement.
When you have been free of symptoms, have you
tried to increase your muscle strength and joint Long-term Solutions
flexibility? Prevention is forem ost; there is no subs titute for
ergonom ically sound w ork environm ents and w ork
Hav e you t ried to s tay fit in genera l? practices. And obviously for the problem not to
recur, something must be done differently.
Do you get ample rest at night particularly when
sympto ms occur? Enlist the help of your supervisor and an industrial
hygienist from OHS .
Do you avoid aggravating activities at home when
sympto ms occur? Make improvem ents to your furniture, equipment,
and work arrangem ent.
Improving Your Situation
Can your work be redesigned?
There are four basic ingredients:
1. Medical treatment; Pay a ttentio n to yo ur bod y; cut back o n all
repetitive or strenuous activities if you develop
2. Work restrictions to decrease or eliminate symptoms.
stress on the body temporarily;
Reconsider just how much repetitive or strenuous
3. Employee education (and, if needed, work you can actually do.
supervisor education); and
Do all of those things you can to improve the
4. Long-term solutions. situation.
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