Introduction
Ergonomic injuries are musculoskeletal disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal disc.
They are risk factors directly or indirectly related to the work environment thus referred to as work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
How a risk factor causes injury is usually through the accumulation of pressure to the risk factors an example include lifting, pushing, or pulling and repeated exposure to this stress may lead to ergonomic injuries.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for the largest proportion of workers compensation costs in hospitals {America hospital association}
Case Study
Back injuries at work
These in the work environment include activities such as sitting on the office chair for so long or lifting heavy items. People may begin to experience back pain or sustain back injuries while on the job in two situations;
Poor body posture while performing work i.e., slouching in an office chair. It can also be due to sitting for too long or standing for too long.
Carrying heavy items that may slip and cause injuries.
Back injuries due to demanding jobs
This occurs where there is a lot of physical on the job which may include lifting of items i.e. nurses who lift patients of all sizes may experience back injuries. Construction workers who lift heavy items may also suffer back pains.
Office chair back injuries
People who sit for so long or stand for so long may experience non accident back injuries this includes people who work on the computer for so long or hotel receptionists who stand for so long.
Prevention of ergonomic injuries
Companies must effective ergonomic programs which will include job tasks that fit the worker and avoid work conditions that put a harmful strain on the worker’s body. Workers should be educated on activities that could cause ergonomic injuries e.g. extended reaching, repetitive stopping, and bending, or lifting heavy items.
Risk factors
Employers should be on the look out of the following conditions to identify potential risk factor.
- Repetitive lengthy activities
- Lack of adequate rest period between repetitive tasks
- Poor sitting positions and awkward work position {extended reaching} Repetitive lifting of heavy items
Stressful working conditions.