Ergonomic Safety

Personal Health

Jan 26

One is using a equipment assist for a heavy load, while the other is manually carrying a lighter load.

Date Posted: 01/27/2024

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), About 1.8 million workers report musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), commonly known as strains and sprains, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back injuries yearly. About 600,000 of those workers need to take time off work because of those injuries. Unlike injuries from falls, electrocution, or other serious hazards, MSDs don’t appear very serious when they appear. They start with minor discomfort in the early stages. These symptoms disappear after a short break or at night when you don’t work. But returning to the same activity the next day brings back the symptoms. Your body can recover between these episodes of intense activity in the earlier stages when the symptoms are mild or moderate, but eventually, your body won’t recover. Recognizing problems with the work tasks that cause these symptoms is the first step to eliminating them.

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Effective and successful "fits" assure high productivity, avoidance of illness and injury risks, and increased satisfaction among the workforce. Ergonomics involves designing and arranging spaces so people work efficiently and safely. It evaluates how you do your work and identifies risk factors that might lead to injury. We use this information to find the best solution to eliminate or manage the hazard. Your capabilities and limitations are considered to ensure that tasks, equipment, and environment suit you.

Ergonomic Risk Factors

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. Vibration and cold may add risk to these work conditions. Jobs or working conditions presenting multiple risk factors will have a higher probability of causing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). MSDs can affect nearly all tissue in the body: nerves, tendons, tendon sheaths, and muscles. The arms, shoulders, knees, and the back are the most frequently affected areas of the body. The level of risk depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the exposure to these conditions and the individuals' capacity to meet the force of other job demands that might be involved. Conditions likely to cause MSD problems include:

Exerting excessive force.
Excessive repetition of movements that can irritate tendons and increase pressure on nerves.
Awkward postures or unsupported positions that stretch physical limits can compress nerves and irritate tendons.
Static postures, or positions a worker must hold for long periods, can restrict blood flow and damage muscles.
Motion, such as increased speed or acceleration when bending and twisting, can increase the force exerted on the body.
Compression, from grasping sharp edges like tool handles, can concentrate force on small body areas, reduce blood flow, nerve transmission, and damage tendon sheaths.
Inadequate recovery time due to overtime, lack of breaks, and failure to vary tasks, leaving inadequate time for tissue healing.

Ergonomic Solutions for Construction

Choose Ergonomically Correct Tools: Ensure that vibration from power tools is minimal. Choose tools that are as light as possible to reduce the force needed to use them. Choose well-balanced tools so you are not expending energy trying to hold the tool in place or balance the tool. Make sure that the tool handle allows you to hold it comfortably, including the addition of handles that allow you to keep your wrists straight or adding a second handle on large tools to allow the use of both hands.
Avoid bending at the waist for prolonged periods: Raise the work, if possible, on two sawhorses or a bench. Sit on a stable stool if you have to work at lower levels for any period. This helps reduce the stress on your back from bending forward and reduces the strain on your knees from squatting. Avoid storing materials at ground level.
Balance your tool belt: When worn all day, a tool belt heavier on one side can pull your back out of alignment. This forces the muscles on the unloaded side to work harder to compensate. Balance the tools and supplies around your tool belt. Don’t carry more than you must, and don’t wear a tool belt if you don’t need to. Remember to take your tool belt off during breaks to give your body a rest.
Don’t twist from the waist while working: Repeated twisting of the lower back during lifting or shoveling is a common mistake. Instead, lift your feet and turn your hips and body in that direction when shoveling, moving blocks, etc.
Lift Correctly: Plan the lift and test the load. Get help. Use material handling equipment or a buddy to assist with the lift. Keep the load close. Tighten your stomach muscles as you lift. Lift with your legs and keep your back straight. Lower the load the same way.
Minimize overhead work: Overhead work can cause significant damage to the shoulders, arms, and back. If you must work overhead, get as close to your work as possible by standing on a platform or ladder. Take frequent breaks by lowering your hands and periodically bending forward with your hands on your knees to stretch out your back.
Keep your wrists and arms neutral: Working with your wrist bent either back or forward increases the chances you’ll develop problems. Avoid working with your arms outstretched, if possible; this puts more strain on your body. And if you develop pain, swelling, tingling, and signs of an overuse injury, take the time to rest. Trying to work through the pain will only make it worse. If symptoms do not go away after rest or if symptoms worsen over time, seek a medical professional.
Identify Difficult Jobs: Because of the variety of tasks in the construction industry, it is essential to identify tasks that require one or more of the above risk factors. By asking why these risk factors exist, the tasks can be retooled or the work practices modified to reduce risk.