Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, and tendons. Work-related MSDs (including those of the neck, upper extremities, and low back) are one of the top causes of lost workday injury and disease. Workers in many different industries and fields can be exposed to risk factors such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker’s risk of injury. But Ergonomics — fitting a job to a person — helps prevent muscle tiredness, productivity, and the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

Impact of MSDs in the Workplace

Work-related MSDs are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

• In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that industries with the highest MSD* rates include health care, transportation and warehousing, retail and wholesale trade, and construction.
• According to BLS, 387,820 MSD cases accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases in 2011.

A Process for Protecting Workers

Employers like Ross Clark are responsible for providing workers with a safe and prevent unhealthy workplace. Applying ergonomic principles can reduce the number and severity of MSDs resulting from physical injury and associated costs. Implementing an ergonomic process minimizes the risk of developing MSDs in industries as diverse as construction, food processing, office jobs, healthcare, beverage delivery, and warehousing. The following are essential elements of an ergonomic process:

• Provide Management Support – A strong commitment by management is essential to the overall success of an ergonomic process. Management should define precise goals and objectives for the ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
• Involve Workers – A participatory ergonomic approach, where workers are directly involved in worksite assessments, solution development, and implementation, is the essence of a successful ergonomic process. Workers can:
  • Identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces.
  • Assist in the ergonomic process by voicing their concerns and suggestions for reducing exposure to risk factors and evaluating the changes made due to an ergonomic assessment.

A Process for Developing the Skills of Workers

• Provide Training – Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics-related concerns in the workplace and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of MSDs.
• Identify Problems – An important step in the ergonomic process is to identify and assess ergonomic problems in the workplace before they result in MSDs.
• Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms – Early reporting can accelerate the job assessment and improvement process, helping to prevent or reduce the progression of symptoms, the development of serious injuries, and subsequent lost-time claims.
• Implement Solutions to Control Hazards – Can implement many possible solutions to prevent, control or eliminate workplace MSDs.
• Evaluate Progress – Established evaluation and corrective action procedures need to be in place to assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process periodically and to ensure its continuous improvement and long-term success. As an ergonomic process is first developing, assessments should include determining whether goals set for the ergonomic process have been met and determining the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions.

Note: An ergonomic process uses the Injury and Illness Prevention Program principles to address MSD hazards. Such a process should be viewed as a continuous function incorporated into daily operations rather than as an individual project.