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If a worker is hit by a swinging chain, falls from a
building, or is electrocuted, you know you have a major problem. But
if a worker has stiff joints or a sore back from doing the same task
over an extended period of time, you have something much less
dramatic, but quite possibly, just as traumatic. It’s called
cumulative trauma disorder (CTD).
With acute trauma, you have immediate pain. A CTD can take weeks,
months, or years to manifest itself, because it results not from a
sudden occurrence, but from repetition of the same work movements.
Ergonomics is the study of this process, how routine work habits can
result in ultimately very painful and even debilitating injuries.
Most people are now aware of ergonomics, and its implementation has
been steadily increasing. For instance, Alan Zimmermann, vice
president Unitech Industries, Inc,. Palmerton, PA, says, “We’ve been
in business since 1988, and when we first started marketing our
vacuum lifter, we targeted only
the very large companies, who were very willing to make the
investment. But the evolution has been toward smaller and smaller
companies getting involved.”
There have been other developments, says Frank DiLeo, president,
Ergonomic Specialties, LTD, Chicago, IL. For instance, there are
heavy lift tables upon which a pallet or other loads can be placed
and lifted to the right height. Once you are done with one side you
can spin the table so the other side
comes toward you. “This takes away the need for bending over and
picking things up or moving at an awkward angle,” DiLeo says.
One of the main changes DiLeo has seen in recent years has been the
use of computes in manufacturing or industrial areas.
“Five to 10 years ago we’d see maybe one to two computers in a shop.
But now there’s so much computer-automated equipment that workers,
in addition to the risk of back injuries and repetitive tasks, now
have the added risk injuries associated with computers.”
You can work a computer a half hour or 45 minutes straight, or
indeed, most of the entire work day, in the same static position.
Although the shop worker won’t be at the computer for as long a
period as someone in the office, there will often be sustained
length, which, mixed up with other repetitive motions, creates an
overall pattern of doing a relatively few same type tasks again and
again.
There are some improvements in computer products, such as flat panel
monitors, which reduce glare and eyestrain and take up less space on
the desk so that other equipment can be conveniently laid out within
arm’s length, and there are adjustable chairs and tables which allow
you to type whether sitting or standing.
“One thing we’ve found which is very surprising is that, though much
of ergonomics has to do with common sense, many people don’t apply
the basic principles,” DiLeo says. “We’ll go into a shop six months
after ergonomic chairs have been purchased and see the users manual
sill unopened, Employers assume that their employees are intelligent
so will figure out how equipment
is supposed to be used. But often when talk to employees it seems as
if a light bulb goes off in their head and they say, ‘Why didn’t
someone explain that to us?’ That’s why we believe that training is
so important.”
Preventing Cumulative Trauma Disorders
From “Ergonomics For Carpenters,” a project sponsored by the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, get the most out of your muscles by
considering the following:
• Muscles become fatigued when they don’t get enough recovery time;
• During static activity muscles remain contracted. Static activity
is more tiring than dynamic activity, (muscles contract and relax
during dynamic activity);
• The muscles used, the weight of the object you are lifting or
holding, the posture of your body and frequency and duration of the
activity all affect the amount of energy you need to do the work;
• Recovery is fast if you work in short exertion with many “micro
breaks” than if you work in long exertions with fewer but longer
breaks;
• Prolonged mistreatment of your muscles and joints can result in
permanent damage.
Major Risk Factors for Upper Extremity CTD’s Include:
• Amount of force or muscle effort needed;
• Awkward posture (for example, overhead work, bent wrists;)
• Repetitive work with insufficient breaks;
• Vibration from power tools;
• External contact stress (sharp objects, tools that dig into the
palms.);
• Insufficient recovery time for muscles.
•Back Risk Factors;
• Lifting and forceful movements (pushing/pulling);
• Bending and twisting;
• Static work postures;
• Repetitive work; and
• Workplace conditions (temperature extremes, slippery surfaces,
poor housekeeping).
Use Your Head To Save Your Back
• Use lifting devices (cranes, hoists, etc.) to left heavy objects
or get help. Don’t lift heavy objects by yourself.
• Change your position/posture often. • Take micro-breaks or change
activities.
• Use a squat lift unless the object is too big and bulky to hold
next to you body.
• Don’t lift and twist at the same time. Lift then turn your entire
body.
• Objects that will be manually lifted should be stored at waist
height.
• Keep walking surfaces free or trip and slip obstacles.
Control The Risk Factor In Lifting
• Let machines do the lifting. Whenever possible, use fork
lifts, come-alongs, jacks and cranes to lift or move heavy loads.
• Use platforms or stands for storing objects to be lifted. Try to
keep lifts between knuckle and shoulder height.
• Materials that will be manually lifted should be stored at waist
height, not on the ground.
• Objects should be small enough to hold close to your body. Objects
should have handles or hand holds.
• Lift lighter loads (make more trips). Lift with a buddy.
• Reduce the weight and size of materials.
• During heavy physical work, use frequent micro-breaks.
FSM
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