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PROTECTING PROTECTING YOURSELF YOURSELF A Safety and Ergonomics A Safety and Ergonomics Health Program Health Program By Dr. Michael Vanella By Dr. Michael Vanella

Protecting Yourself

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Physical jobs do a number on our bodies. Teach workers how to safely do their job.

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Page 1: Protecting  Yourself

PROTECTING PROTECTING YOURSELFYOURSELF

A Safety and Ergonomics A Safety and Ergonomics Health ProgramHealth Program

By Dr. Michael VanellaBy Dr. Michael Vanella

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Defining ErgonomicsDefining Ergonomics

What have you What have you heard about heard about ergonomics?ergonomics?

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Defining ErgonomicsDefining Ergonomics

Ergonomics is…Ergonomics is…

the science and the art ofthe science and the art of

fitting the job and the workplacefitting the job and the workplace

to workers’ needs. to workers’ needs.

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RememberRemember

Use your brain, not your back.Use your brain, not your back. Work smarter, not harder.Work smarter, not harder. Fix the job, not the worker.Fix the job, not the worker.

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LOW BACK PAINLOW BACK PAIN

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Quick FactsQuick Facts Back pain is more Back pain is more

likely to occur likely to occur during the ages of during the ages of 30 to 50, the most 30 to 50, the most productive period of productive period of most people's lives.most people's lives.

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Low Back Pain FactsLow Back Pain Facts It is estimated that over 80 billion It is estimated that over 80 billion

dollars is spent each year because dollars is spent each year because of back pain and the cost is growing. of back pain and the cost is growing.

Eight out of ten people will have a Eight out of ten people will have a problem with back pain at some time problem with back pain at some time during their lives. during their lives.

There is no quick fix for most back There is no quick fix for most back problems. problems.

How your back pain affects you, how How your back pain affects you, how well you understand your back well you understand your back problem, and what you do to protect problem, and what you do to protect your back on a daily basis is your back on a daily basis is very very much up to youmuch up to you ! !

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Low Back Pain FactsLow Back Pain Facts Back pain is the number one problem facing the workforce Back pain is the number one problem facing the workforce

in the United States today. To illustrate just how big a in the United States today. To illustrate just how big a problem low back pain is, consider these facts:problem low back pain is, consider these facts:

Low back pain is the second most common cause of Low back pain is the second most common cause of missed work days missed work days

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability Low back pain is the leading cause of disability between the ages of 19-45between the ages of 19-45

Low back pain is the number one leading impairment Low back pain is the number one leading impairment in occupational injuriesin occupational injuries

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To prevent injury and help To prevent injury and help minor injuries heal …minor injuries heal …

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Consider these tips:Consider these tips:

Use good postureUse good posture Move around and change position frequentlyMove around and change position frequently Adjust your workstation and routinesAdjust your workstation and routines Maintain a healthy weightMaintain a healthy weight Exercise back and abdomen musclesExercise back and abdomen muscles Lift safelyLift safely

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Awareness of your back and Awareness of your back and it’s limitations is an important it’s limitations is an important

part of preventing injuries.part of preventing injuries.

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Respond to any pain or Respond to any pain or

discomfort by changing thediscomfort by changing the

way you do things beforeway you do things before

minor injuries become major.minor injuries become major.

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FATIGUEFATIGUE

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Fatigue affects more than Fatigue affects more than productivity.productivity.

It can also jeopardize safety.It can also jeopardize safety.

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Start work in good shape.Start work in good shape.

Be awake, alert, and ready to Be awake, alert, and ready to focus.focus.

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Mistakes and accidents can Mistakes and accidents can happen if you aren’t in good happen if you aren’t in good

mental and physical condition.mental and physical condition.

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Balance your day’s time and Balance your day’s time and energy requirements.energy requirements.

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Consider these Consider these suggestions:suggestions:

Give your health top priorityGive your health top priority

Know how much sleep you needKnow how much sleep you need

Develop better sleep strategiesDevelop better sleep strategies

Get routine check upsGet routine check ups

Energize yourself with activityEnergize yourself with activity

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Take care of yourself to prevent Take care of yourself to prevent fatigue.fatigue.

Make sure you’re running on all Make sure you’re running on all cylinders as you head to work.cylinders as you head to work.

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Proper Lifting Techniques:Proper Lifting Techniques:

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Plan the lift. Plan the lift. It is important to It is important to

determine:determine: How heavy the object is How heavy the object is How far it has to be moved How far it has to be moved Where it is going to end up Where it is going to end up Is it cumbersome Is it cumbersome Is it a two person job Is it a two person job Is there anything that needs to be moved Is there anything that needs to be moved

prior to liftingprior to lifting

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The Lever EffectThe Lever Effect

(40 lbs.)

(200 lbs.)

100 lbs.

10 lbs.

Lever effect -- can magnify Lever effect -- can magnify weight by factor of up to 10weight by factor of up to 10

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Correct Positioning:Correct Positioning:

Stand directly in front Stand directly in front of the load, with feet of the load, with feet about shoulder width about shoulder width apart. One foot should apart. One foot should be in front of the other be in front of the other one for good balance.one for good balance.

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Correct Lifting Technique:Correct Lifting Technique:

Bend your knees and Bend your knees and tighten your stomach tighten your stomach muscles. Using both muscles. Using both hands grasp the object hands grasp the object and pull it as close as and pull it as close as possible to your body.possible to your body.

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Correct Technique:Correct Technique:

It is very important to It is very important to LIFT WITH YOUR LIFT WITH YOUR LEGS NOT THE LOW LEGS NOT THE LOW BACK. The main BACK. The main reason for this is that reason for this is that leg muscles are much leg muscles are much stronger than low back stronger than low back muscles.muscles.

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Correct VS Incorrect:Correct VS Incorrect:

Correct TechniqueCorrect Technique Incorrect Incorrect TechniqueTechnique

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Last But Not Least:Last But Not Least:

Avoid Avoid twisting AND bendingtwisting AND bending of the lower back at of the lower back at the same time! This is one the most damaging the same time! This is one the most damaging movements to the spine. movements to the spine.

To avoid twisting, pivot the feet to complete the lift. To avoid twisting, pivot the feet to complete the lift. Get help if necessary! If the load is too bulky or Get help if necessary! If the load is too bulky or

heavy, don't hesitate to get help or use a hand heavy, don't hesitate to get help or use a hand truck! truck!

Don't be too tough or too busy to get help. A Don't be too tough or too busy to get help. A strong will does not take the place of a reasonably strong will does not take the place of a reasonably safe lift.safe lift.

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For those Awkward For those Awkward Moments. . .Moments. . .

If you must lift or lower from a high place:If you must lift or lower from a high place:– Stand on a platform instead of a ladderStand on a platform instead of a ladder– Lift the load in smaller pieces if possibleLift the load in smaller pieces if possible– Push the load to see how heavy and stable it is.Push the load to see how heavy and stable it is.– Slide the load as close to yourself as possible Slide the load as close to yourself as possible

before lifting up or down.before lifting up or down.– Get help when needed to avoid an injury.Get help when needed to avoid an injury.

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MSD’s MSD’s (Musculoskeletal Disorders)(Musculoskeletal Disorders)

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MSDs (Musculoskeletal MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders)Disorders)

Where does your job hurt you?Where does your job hurt you? Where does your body hurt Where does your body hurt

after working all day?after working all day? These are the areas you need to These are the areas you need to

concentrate on before they develop into a concentrate on before they develop into a problem that interferes with you at work and problem that interferes with you at work and at home. at home.

Pay attention to your body.Pay attention to your body.

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MSD’s (Musculoskeletal Disorders)MSD’s (Musculoskeletal Disorders)

Also called:Also called:– Cumulative trauma disorders (CTD’s)Cumulative trauma disorders (CTD’s)– Repetitive strain injuries (RSI’s)Repetitive strain injuries (RSI’s)

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3 Facts about MSD’s3 Facts about MSD’s

1) 1) They affect your They affect your musculoskeletal systemmusculoskeletal system - your muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, - your muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs.joints, cartilage and spinal discs.

2) 2) They are They are cumulativecumulative - they happen - they happen gradually, as opposed to accidents.gradually, as opposed to accidents.

3) 3) They are They are chronicchronic - the effects last a long - the effects last a long time.time.

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MSDs (Musculoskeletal MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders)Disorders)

Tension neck syndrome

Strained Muscles & Ligaments

Low back pain

Disc Problems

Sciatica

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Rotator cuff tendonitis

DeQuervain’s syndrome

Raynaud’s syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Chondromalacia

Torn meniscus

Plantar fascitis

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MSDs (Musculoskeletal MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders)Disorders)

MSD’s are the longest lasting injuries:MSD’s are the longest lasting injuries: They damage workers’ health more than any They damage workers’ health more than any

other type of injury. other type of injury.

MSD’s are the most costly injuries:MSD’s are the most costly injuries: They cause greater financial damage than any They cause greater financial damage than any

other type of injury.other type of injury. Over 70% of worker compensation costs in Over 70% of worker compensation costs in

health care are due to MSD’s. health care are due to MSD’s.

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How does your job hurt you?How does your job hurt you?How can the job be changed?How can the job be changed?

The RISK FACTORS for MSD’s are:The RISK FACTORS for MSD’s are:ForceForceVibrationVibrationRepetitionRepetitionExtreme temperaturesExtreme temperaturesAwkward PosturesAwkward PosturesStatic posturesStatic postures

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What Can A Doctor of Chiropractic What Can A Doctor of Chiropractic Do?Do?

Perform chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function Perform chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system. and alleviate the stress on your system.

Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of vitamins. and perhaps the addition of vitamins.

Offer advice on:Offer advice on:– Posture Posture – Ergonomics (work postures)Ergonomics (work postures)– Exercises Exercises – Relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques.

This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and back. irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and back.

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Thank You Thank You For Your Time!!For Your Time!!