Ergonomics

Work-related conditions can give rise to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It is the task of every
business owner to ensure that conditions in the workplace that might contribute to employee
development of MSDs be minimized to the lowest degree possible. To minimize these risk is to
reduce employee sick call and Workers’ Compensation claims, improving productivity and protecting
the company’s profits.  The science of human movement at work and the evaluation of repetitive
motion and the toll it takes on the human body is referred to as ergonomics.
How does one go about discovering whether there are ergonomic problems inherent in certain jobs
or work task? To discover the potential for these types of problems, one must carefully examine and
analyze illness and injury records of employees, and determine whether there is a pattern. If you see
patterns emerging, chances are good that you have an ergonomics problem on your hands.
Check for:
•        Bursitis
•        Carpal tunnel syndrome
•        deQuervain’s disease
•        Epicondylitis
•        Ganglion  cysts
•        Non-specific or specific pain, sprain, strains or tears
•        Tendonitis
•        Tenosynovitis
•        Thoracic outlet syndrome
WHAT YOU CAN DO
To find out more about existing or potential ergonomic risks, you can hire Certified Ergonomics
Technicians (CET) and Industrial Hygienist who understand the fundamentals of ergonomics. These
individuals will assist you in reducing certain risk. You should talk with your employees, conduct
symptom surveys and meet with purveyors like Office Furniture Resources for ergonomically correct
equipment to determine the feasibility of replacing offending machinery or tools.
To control risk, experts will examine both engineering and administrative controls.  They will check
personal protective gear, and they may be interested in strength – testing employees, as
mismatched employee strength to task requirement levels are often the culprit in work-related injury.
Age and gender may be factors, as well as personal habits, such as smoking, poor nutrition and
sedentary lifestyle.
The experts may also check for  “ sick building syndrome, "
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