Ergonomics musculoskeletal disorders

The psychological and physiological limitations and capabilities constitute the ergonomics or human factors. It is the most important part of the occupational safety and health program. This is to evaluate personnel capabilities and improve human safety, comfort, and productivity in the workplace. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are the results of ergonomics and limitations of the human body to a sudden change or continuous working on a physical job, especially where most of the jobs are carried out manually. 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Elements of ergonomics programs. A primer based on workplace evaluations of musculoskeletal disorders. Centers for Disease Control (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-117. Atlanta, GA Centers for Disease Control, March, 1997. 

Cohen, A. L., Gjessing, C. C., Eine, L. J., Bernard, B. P., and McGlotWin, J. D. (1997), Elements of Ergonomics Programs A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati. 

Recently, Colombini et al. (1999) reported the findings of an international expert group working under auspices of the Technical Committee on Musculoskeletal Disorders of the International Ergonomics Association (lEA) and endorsed by the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH). This report provides a set of definitions, criteria, and procedures for assessment of working... 

From the occupational safety and health perspective, the current state of ergonomics knowledge eillows for management of musculoskeletal disorders in order to minimize human suffering, potential for disability, and the related workers compensation costs. Ergonomics can help to ... 

An important component of musculoskeletal disorders management efforts is development of a well-structured and comprehensive ergonomic program. According to Alexander and Orr (1992), the basic components of such a program should include ... 

The National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences of the United States recently concluded that there is a clear relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and work and between ergonomic interventions and a decrease in such disorders. According to the Academy, research demonstrates that specific interventions can reduce the reported rate of musculoskeletal disorders for workers who perform high-risk tasks (National Research Council 1998). The effective and universal standard for dealing with the work-related hazards should significantly reduce the risk to WRMDS to employees. 

The high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, has motivated the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to focus on standardization efforts. Recently, OSHA announced the initiation of rulemaking under Section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 655, to amend Part 1910 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations and requested information relevant to preventing, eliminating, and reducing occupational exposure to ergonomic hazards. 

Karwowski, W, Wogalter, M., and Dempsey, P.G., Eds., (1997), Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Santa Monica, CA. 

Low-back injury is estimated to cost the U.S. industry tens of biUions annually through compensation claims, lost workdays, reduced productivity, and retraining needs (NIOSH 1997 Cats-Baril and Fry-moyer 1991 Frymoyer et al. 1983). Approximately 33% of aU workers compensation costs are for musculoskeletal disorders. Experience has shown that these injuries can be avoided with the proper ergonomic intervention. Biomechanical models available can be used for job analysis either proactively, during the design phase, or reactively in response to injury incidence, to help identify the injurious situations. The most common types of injury-assessment analyses performed using human models include low-back compression force analysis and strength analysis. 

Pharmaceutical industry assembly in, 398 as process industry, 518 PHC (productive hour cost), 2314 Photoelectric sensors, 1902 Physical anthropometry, 1043 Physical automation technology, 156 Physical data independence, 116 Physical markets, 262 Physical models, 1630 Physical products, online retailing of, 266 Physical prototyping, 1288 Physical tasks, 1042-1100. See also Ergonomics Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) and anthropometry, 1043-1050 alternative design, 1049 body position, description of, 1043... 

The topic of ergonomics and MSD (musculoskeletal disorders), or repetitive strain injuries, over the past eight years has been high on the list of... 

Ergonomics-. If soft tissue or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a safety concern or an ongoing problem, a proactive way to address them is to form a subteam charged with training and educating the workforce in the basic methods to reduce these types of injuries. At work centers or on jobs where these types of injuries have occurred, this subteam may marshal a safety kaizen blitz team to evaluate and reduce the risks of future MSD injuries. 

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the worker. Ergonomics programs can prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders that occur when there is a mismatch between the worker and the task. 

Laboratory Safety Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Fact Sheet (OSHA FS-3462—2011). 

Cohen, Alexander L., Elements of Ergonomics Programs A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Diane Publishing Co., 1997. 

This chapter describes proper handling of hazardous substances in the workplace and exposure to these hazardous substances. It provides some risk assessment methods for different types of preparation and handling of hazardous substances and medicines. However, other risks that are not covered by this chapter should be considered as well, in particular work stress and ergonomics which may give rise to musculoskeletal disorders. 

Some ergonomically designed keyboards are available with a rest-time indicator, which encourages the user to take a break from the computer. Although laptop computers are portable and convenient, work-related musculoskeletal injuries can still occur if one does not observe proper ergonomic principles while using a laptop. Cumulative trauma disorders, caused by repetitive strain or motion injuries and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, are the largest cause of occupational disease in the United States. 

Dentists are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. They experience repetitive hand movements, vibrating tools, and fixed and awkward posturing. Neck, back, hand, and wrist injuries are common. Ergonomic equipment is available for dentists, including specially designed hand instruments, syringes and dispensers, lighting, ms nification tools, and patient chairs. 

Government and University Research. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers copies of ergonomic-related studies in downloadable files. This government-agency Web site contains links to many published research articles on various aspects of ergonomics. The landmark 1997 study about musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors is one that is available to any business or individual. Others include the research of violence in the workplace and musculoskeletal pain with regard to nursing-home workers published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This was the first study of the hazard of workplace violence as linked to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The results showed that the incidence of musculoskeletal pain increased from 40 percent in those workers that were not assaulted to 70 percent in victims of workplace violence. 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders http //www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics... 

The common ill-health effects of ergonomic hazards are musculoskeletal disorders (back injuries, covered in Chapter 13, and work-related upper limb disorders including repetitive strain injury being the main disorders) and deteriorating eyesight. 

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