drawing of a working on a computer    Module 1 – Unit 7:  Project Work

Ergonomic Safety in Your Job

Read about ergonomic safety and analyze how you can prevent repetitive stress injuries in your work. You can use the websites below to do Internet research related to safety issues in your health care field. Then answer the questions that follow.

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the worker. When there is a mismatch between the physical requirements of the job and the physical capacity of the worker, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can result. Ergonomics is the practice of designing equipment and work tasks to conform to the capability of the worker; it provides a means for adjusting the work environment and work practices to prevent injuries before they occur.

Source: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/ergo/ergo.html. Retrieved 3/29/05.

Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) are costing American employers more than 20 billion dollars each year. RSIs can occur whenever workers must repeat the same motion throughout their workday. Examples of common repetitive motions are the use of a computer mouse or keyboarding at a computer terminal for long periods of time.

Source: Virtual Hospital. www.vh.org/adult/provider/pathology/CLIA/RiskManagement/09Ergonomics.html. Retrieved 3/29/05.

Repetitive-stress injuries (RSI) are common among health professionals. Even back injuries are the result of stress building up on bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons over time. The main risk factors for RSI are:

  • performing the same action over and over again
  • awkward postures
  • long periods of repetitive activity
  • lack of recovery time
  • forceful movement
  • vibration
  • uncomfortable environmental conditions
  • stressful work organization

Adapted from: Snider, S. RT®, (M), MSA. 2005. Decisions in Imaging Economics. Ergonomics in Contrast Administration.

  1. What is ergonomics?
  2. What types of injuries do you think are the most common injuries for health professionals?
  3. What activities do you do repeatedly at work every day (for example, lifting, or using a keyboard)? What can you do to prevent repetitive stress injuries?
  4. Analyze a task you often do in your work and fill in the form below. Be prepared to discuss your work task analysis in the next class.

WORK TASK ANALYZER

SPECIFIC WORK TASK
_________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

    • bending or twisting
    • reaching out or up
    • prolonged holding, sitting, standing, or stooping
    • too much force (e.g., heavy patients, holding retractors)
    • abrupt motions

EQUIPMENT USED

___________________________________________________________________

COMMENTS

    • Equipment Factors _________________________________________
    • _____________________________________________________________
    • Work Space _______________________________________________
    • _____________________________________________________________
    • Other ____________________________________________________
    • _____________________________________________________________