Are you benefiting from ergonomics in the workplace?

Ergonomics is about fitting the task to the person, and fitting the person to the task.  When ergonomic principles are applied in a work environment, many workplace injuries are avoided and work performance can be improved.

To have "good ergonomics", ergonomic risk factors with the task and the individual must be identified and eliminated or reduced.

THE TASK

• Some common ergonomic risk factors associated with the task include:
  
• Awkward postures.
  
• Prolonged positions.
  
• Repetitive movements.
  
• Excessive force.
  
• Contact stress.
  
• Environmental conditions such as heat, cold, loud noise and poor visibility.
  
• Vibration.
  

Awkward postures: Awkward postures are body positions that are uncomfortable, or put the body parts in use in a mechanical disadvantage.  Muscles and joints work most efficiently in specific positions, usually at the midpoint of the joint's range of movement.  When muscles are working at the same time as they are being stretched, they are more susceptible to injury.

Prolonged positions: Positions held for long periods of time can cause fatigue to supporting muscles which results in discomfort and can lead to injury if fatigued muscles are required to work.  Certain positions place increased pressure on body structures, and if held for long periods of time can cause damage to those structures.  A common example of this is the pressure exerted on discs in the lower back whenever the low back is in a flexed position such as driving or sitting in a chair.

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