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1. Presentation on theme: "WORK
RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE YOU AT
RISK"— Presentation week 4

2. What is Ergonomics?
The goal of ergonomics is to design the job to fit
the worker,
NOT fit the worker to the job.
33
Environment
Task/job
Worker

3. Benefits of Ergonomics Include:
Safer jobs with fewer injuries
increased efficiency and
productivity improved quality and
fewer errors improved morale

4. Ergonomic Goals:
Finding ways to make strenuous, often repetitive work,
less likely to cause muscle and joint injuries -- and still
get the job done.
Keeping young bodies from wearing out prematurely, and
mature bodies from giving out early.

5. Presentation on theme: "WORK
RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE YOU AT
RISK"— Presentation week 5

6. Neutral
postures
• Head and neck – level or bent
slightly forward, forward facing,
balanced and in-line with the trunk
• Hands wrists and forearms – all
straight and in-line
• Elbows – close to the body and
bent 90o to 120o
• Shoulders – relaxed and upper
arms hang normally at the side of
the body

7. Neutral postures
• Thighs and hips – parallel to the
floor when sitting; perpendicular to
the floor when standing
• Knees – same height as hips with
feet slightly apart when sitting;
aligned with hips and ankles when
standing
• Back – vertical or leaning slightly
back with lumbar support when
sitting; vertical with an S-shaped
curve when standing

8. Presentation on theme: "WORK
RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE YOU AT
RISK"— Presentation week 6

9. Risk Control: Elimination
• The ultimate control measure is to eliminate the
hazardous manual task
• Best practice includes:
– Eliminating potential hazardous manual tasks
during the design of workplaces, equipment, tools,
plant and systems of work
– Incorporating ergonomics specifications into
purchasing procedures

10. PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUE

11. Approach to risk control
Eliminate the hazardous manual task
or
Redesign the work, workplace or equipment to
minimise the risk of injury (musculoskeletal
disorders)
and
Provide appropriate manual task training

12. TOP 5 WRMSD’s IN HEALTH WORKERS
Exacerbating Factors Prevalence
LBP (lumbar spondylosis, lumbar spondylisthesis, saitica, scoliosis) Pregnancy, joint laxity, prolonged sitting
and standing, obesity, poor sleeping apparatus, poor footwear, poor lifting techniques, muscle weakness
and imbalance
All medical personnel (high prevalence in Nurses, Physiotherapists, Orderlies and Assistants) Cervical
Spondylosis Inappropriate sitting, walking, standing, writing, working, and sleeping positions, constant
lifting of objects on the head and neck region, inappropriate working apparatus and workstation, and
constant computer use
All medical personnel Knee Osteoarthritis/Pain in the Knee Long periods of standing, poor workstations,
poor footwear, poor lifting techniques, poor posture, obesity, genetic predisposition
All medical personnel (high prevalence in Nurses, Surgeons, Orderlies and Assistants) Rotator Cuff Injuries
(Adh. Capsulitis, O.A Shoulder) Poor posture, inefficient workstations and equipment, and prolonged and
repetitive overhead movements
All medical personnel (high prevalence in Nurses, Orderlies and Assistants) Calcaneal Spur/Plantar Fasciatis
Prolonged standing and walking, poor footwear, obesity, and a genetic predisposition

13. Presentation on theme: "WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE YOU AT RISK"— PRESENTATION WEEK 7
WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE
YOU AT RISK WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(WMSD): ARE YOU AT RISK?
Presented by: Olufunke Hadley

14. What are the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders
(WMSDs)?
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are associated with these factors:
 Work postures and movements.
 Repetitiveness and pace of work.
 Force of movements.
 Vibration.
 Temperature.
 Lack of influence or control over one's job.
 Increase pressure (e.g., to produce more).
 Lack of or poor communication.
 Monotonous tasks.
 Perception of low support (e.g., manager or co-worker).
Certain workplace conditions, for example, the layout of the workstation, the speed of work (especially in conveyor-driven
jobs), and the weight of the objects being handled influence these factors. In other situations, the psychosocial factors at the
workplace may contribute to WMSDs. It is recommended that both physical and psychosocial factors be addressed.

15. How does vibration encourage WMSDs?
 Vibration affects tendons, muscles, joints and nerves. Workers can be exposed to either
whole body vibration or localized vibration.
 Whole body vibration is experienced by truck and bus drivers for example. Localized
vibration exposure can be caused by power tools. Common symptoms are numbness of
the fingers, loss of touch and grip, and pain. In addition, the worker may use more force
and awkward body positions because vibration hand tools are harder to control.
 Exposure to too much vibration can also cause us to lose the feeling in our hands and
arms. As a result, we may misjudge the amount of force we need to control the tools and
use too much which increases fatigue.

16. How does temperature affect WMSDs?
In general, when it is too cold, or when we touch cold materials, our hands can
become numb. With numbed hands, we are more likely to misjudge the amount of
force we need to do our work and use too much. A cold environment also makes our
bodies less flexible.
Every movement we make and every position we hold takes a lot more work, and
then WMSDs are more likely to develop. When it is too hot and too humid, workers
tire more quickly and thereby may become more susceptible to injury.

17. Presentation on theme: "WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE YOU AT RISK"— PRESENTATION WEEK 8
WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (WMSD): ARE
YOU AT RISK WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(WMSD): ARE YOU AT RISK?
Presented by: Olufunke Hadley

18. RISK CONTROL MEASURES
RISK CONTROL MEASURES
Changing the work: changing how long a manual task is performed at one time, how
frequently it is performed throughout the day, or how it is performed can result in a broader
range of actions and postures, reduce fatigue, and thus reduce the risk of injury. One example
is switching between tasks that require different actions.
Other strategies include examining work rates, providing breaks during long periods of
repetitive actions or fixed postures, providing enough workers to cover peak periods, and
taking into account working hours. Change the work Change work organization and practices,
including work systems, to reduce the risk of injury by taking work breaks.

19. Alter work environment
 Change the working environment Changing the thermal environment, floor surfaces, and housekeeping, as well as
lighting and vibration, can all help to reduce the risk of injury.
 Unobstructed space for manual handling (good housekeeping), for example, and environmental factors such as better
lighting can all have a positive effect on a worker's posture.
 Change the working environment Change the work environment to reduce the risk of injury (musculoskeletal disorder)
by doing the following: reducing and managing exposure to cold, hot, humid, and windy conditions floor surfaces and
housekeeping – choosing and maintaining appropriate floor surfaces, steps, and ramps, as well as keeping work areas
clean, tidy, and free of clutter
 obstacles lighting – selecting lighting to suit the task at hand Controlling vibration exposure at the source, and/or the
path of the vibration, and/or the vibration received by the worker

20. We all share responsibility for tackling MSDs
They are a problem for:
 Employers
 Workers and their safety representatives
 Government health and safety institutions policy-makers
WRMSDs cost money Business loses productivity
Higher medical and social costs for government - back pain costs the UK health service £5 billion a year Individuals and
families suffer too!

21. Employee responsibilities
Safety isn’t all down to your employer
You also have a responsibility to protect yourself Be aware of WRMSD risks and their impact
on your health Know how to avoid or lessen the risks Become informed and start a campaign
for workplace health and safety activities
Employers’ responsibilities
Legally required to assess workplace risks and act to ensure the safety and health of workers WRMSDs are
preventable if the right action is taken to modify tasks and to eliminate or reduce risk.
Provide user-friendly machines and equipment. Promote awareness on the high prevalence of WRMSDs by
offering of training and information.

22. Five-step process for preventing WMSDs in Your workplace
 Identify jobs that may have hazards
 Educate and involve employees
 Evaluate jobs for hazards
 Identify and implement solutions
 Re-evaluate to make sure solutions are effective

23. Conclusions
Understanding the risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries is the first step toward lowering the risks. Because of the nature of
emergency services, you will not be able to control all situations at work. To reduce your risk of injury, consider where you
can make a difference and when you do have control to improve equipment, work practices, and body mechanics. There are no
action points.
Cumulative trauma that develops over time may not result in an injury for many years, but it can be disabling. Using
ergonomics equals injury prevention. Recognize the risk factors for injurySome situations may have little room for
improvement, but in others, you have the ability to make changes: Work practices with equipment Biomechanics
THANK YOU