Task and workstation design

The scope of ergonomics and an ergonomic assessment is very wide incorporating the foiiowing areas of study  

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. 

Work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) 

WRULDs describe a group of illnesses which can affect the neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers. Tenosynovitis (affecting the tendons), carpal tunnel syndrome (affecting the tendons which pass through the carpal bone in the hand) and frozen shoulder are all examples of WRULDs which differ in the manifestation and site of the illness. The term repetitive strain injury (RSI) is commonly used to describe WRULDs. 

The main symptoms of WRULDs are aching pain to the back, neck and shoulders, swollen joints and muscle fatigue accompanied by tingling, soft tissue swelling similar to bruising and a restriction in joint movement. 

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