Download - Repetitive motion and ergonomics
Understand and prevent injuries
Objective
• To become familiar with repetitive motion injuries and understand ways to help prevent them
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background
• Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs)
• Physical problem resulting from poor ergonomics
• Sometimes called repetitive motion syndrome
• Other causes include forceful exertion, vibration, and awkward positions or movements
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Risk factors
• Repetitive activities
• Forceful exertions
• Staying in the same position (sitting or standing)
• Awkward body postures
• Continued physical contact with surfaces
• Vibrations
• Awkward holds or positions of the hands
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Ergonomics
• Poor ergonomics regarding muscles include:
• Bending continually from the waist
• Lifting from below the knees or above the shoulders
• Twisting at the waist
• Heavy lifting
• Poor posture while sitting
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Repetitive motion
• If you do the same hand and muscle movements over and over, you may suffer repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Aching wrists
• Numbness in fingers
• Hand weakness
• Pain extending up the arm
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Prevention
• Protect your hands and muscles from repetitive motion injury
• The best time to start is before symptoms begin
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Hands
• Position hands correctly
• Adjust work procedures to keep wrists and elbows straight
• Use hand tools that are the right width, size, and shape for you and your hands
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Hands
• Give your hands a break
• Take breaks to allow hands to rest
• Pause and shake out occasionally
• Dangle down by your side to relieve tension
• Do hand exercises that include wrists, fingers, palms, etc.
• Pace yourself while working with your hands
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Hand exercises
• Wrist rotation
• Make a fist and rotate your entire hand from the wrist in one direction
• Repeat 15 times
• Change directions and repeat 15 more times
• Do the same rotation with fingers extended
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Hand exercises
• Hand stretch
• Make a fist, and then extend your fingers as far apart as possible
• Hold for 10 seconds
• Relax
• Repeat five to 10 times until hands feel relaxed
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Back• Lift with your legs, not your back
• If possible, use material handling systems (forklifts, pallet jacks, etc.)
• Team lift if object is too heavy
• Don’t twist while lifting or moving objects
• Sit and squat properly
• No slouching
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Review
• Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are sometimes called repetitive motion syndrome, but also can be caused by forceful exertion, vibration, and awkward positions or movements
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Review
• To prevent CTDs with your hands, position your hands correctly, use the right tools, take breaks, and do hand exercises
• To prevent CTDs with your back, use proper lifting techniques and correct posture
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Review
• Lifting techniques should be used while lifting all objects, regardless of weight
SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.