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.