Repetitive motion injuries

Is the employee required to make movements that eould lead to or eause hand or foot injuries, strain from lifting, or repetitive motion injuries ... 

Stress lifestyle modifications for rehabilitation and prevention. Recommend strength training, range-of-motion exercises, and a warm-up period before exercise. In repetitive-motion injury, recommend methods to correct biomechanical abnormalities and vary work tasks as applicable. Refer to a physical therapist or sports trainer as needed. 

Defining a Problem Statement The first step in successfully implementing an automation project is to clearly define the problem that needs to be solved. Automation can solve a number of different problems. Each laboratory must ask itself which specific problems it wants to solve. The best place to start is in thinking about the needs of the laboratory. Is there a need to analyze more samples with fewer people or to shorten sample turnaround time Is there a need to increase the consistency of an assay or process Is there a need to reduce exposure to hazardous materials or to minimize operator fatigue or repetitive motion injuries Is there a need to reduce the cost per sample Is there a need for a process to run overnight or over the weekend ... 

The Cahfornia Ergonomic Standard (see website http //www.dir.ca.gov/1itle8/5110.html) went into effect on July 3, 1997. The standard targets jobs where a repetitive motion injury (RMI) has occurred and the injury can be determined to be work related and at a repetitive job. The injury must have been diagnosed by a physician. The three main elements of the CaUfomia standard are work site evaluation, control of exposures that have caused RMIs, and employee training. The exact language of the standard has been undergoing review in the CaUfomia judicial system. 

Goldoftas, Barbara. 1991. Hands that Hurt Repetitive Motion Injuries on the Job. Technology Review. January, 94(1) 43-50. 

Have I considered the ergonomics of the design Is the device easy to grip What does it weigh How must the user be positioned to operate the device Will its use lead to back or neck pain Are repetitive-motion injuries a concern There is commercial software available to determine forces at the back and extremities for various anatomic positions and loading cases. Parameters such as the user s height may be specified. 

A work-related musculoskeletal disorder is an injury to the muscles, tendons, and/ or nerves of the upper body either caused or aggravated by work. Other names used to describe work-related musculoskeletal disorders include repetitive motion injuries, repetitive strain injuries, cumulative trauma disorders, soft tissue disorders, and overuse syndromes. Work-related musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) affecting the upper body and limbs are now recognized as one of the leading causes of worker pain and disability. 

Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), also referred to as repetitive-motion injuries, result from excessive use of the hand, wrist, or forearm. As with overexertion injuries, the frequency and costs of CTDs are growing to epidemic proportions. Some of the most common cumulative trauma disorders are carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and tenosynovitis. 

What are the costs associated with material handling and repetitive motion injuries Why are these two types of ergonomic problems of concern to the safety professional ... 

As part of the tracking process, a company must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA s) recordkeeping requiranents for occupational injuries and illnesses. Any occupational illness that has resulted in an abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors, which may be acute or chronic due to inhalation, absorption, ingestion or direct contact with toxic substances or harmful agents, and any repetitive motion injury is to be classified as an illness. All illnesses are recordable, regardless of severity. Injuries are recordable when... 

A repetitive motion injury caused by the compression and entrapment of the median nerve where it passes through the wrist into the hand—in the carpal tunnel. 

Repetitive Motion Injuries—Injuries caused by continued repetitive motions. 

This report provides comparisons of costs by injury category, rather than for incident frequency relationships as in the BLS reports. Overexertion is the highest cost category, followed by falls on the same level and falls to a lower level. The fourth cost category is bodily reaction. Repetitive motion is ninth among the 10 injury categories listed. Overexertion, bodily reaction, and repetitive motion injury costs summed are 39.8 percent of total workers compensation costs. That s an impressive number. 

Strategy 3 Implement an ergonomics program to address repetitive motion injuries that account for the largest percentage of the school s total injuries... 

Rubber Manufacturer s Association Repetitive Motion Injuries... 

When the word ergonomics is mentioned most employers and many others will tend to make derogatory comments and act as thongh ergonomics is some kind of contrived problem. However, from my experience of visiting many types of industries and workplaces, it is not at all unusual for me to talk to a person who has had live surgeries related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), or repetitive motion injuries (RMls). In this chapter these terms will be used interchangeably. 

Ergonomics. Safe design of the workplace is essential to productivity and loss control. Through improved ergonomics, warehouses can move pieces of product more safely as well as more efficiently. The workers compensation costs associated with back injuries and repetitive motion injuries are staggering. Ergonomics can help to reduce the costs of claims. 

The focus of ergonomics is on the work environment and includes factors such as design of workstations, controls, displays, safety devices, tools, and lighting to fit the employees physical requirements and to ensure their health and well-being. Many times a restructuring of the work environment helps to reduce the stressors that cause cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and repetitive motion injuries (RMIs). 

Become aware of other tasks such as manual stapling, sorting through large volumes, and mail sorting where repetition and awkward positions may contribute to repetitive motion injuries. Seek alternate ways to perform the tasks, reduce the load, or rotate jobs. 

Are worker movements analyzed so that potential injuries (e.g., hand or foot injuries, repetitive motion injuries, or strain from lifting) are avoided ... 

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