Are you aware of some risk factors attached to ergonomics? Different workplace situations can lead to wear and tear in the body.
You can contact Ergobility, Ergonomic Consulting, and Assessment Services, Fremont, CA, to improve the safety of your workforce.
Different workplace situations can result in deterioration in the body, which can further lead to injuries.
There are many risk factors of ergonomics, and here we are going to discuss a few key ones:
- Force
- Static work
- Posture
- Contact stress
Each of the factors poses a risk for musculoskeletal injury. However, when these all are combined, it can increase the likelihood of injury.
You need to be able to recognize these factors in the workplace so that you can start a safety program to keep your employees healthy.
What Are The Different Risk Factors Of Ergonomics?
Here are some different risk factors of ergonomics.
Force
Force is generally defined as pressure or physical exertion applied to a body.
Actions like pinching, gripping, pulling, lifting, and pushing will put some additional force on the body's joints.
When you are performing an activity that requires force, it will increase the efforts put in by your muscles, causing them to become tired. This will make you at a higher risk of an injury,
Where Do You Use Force In A Workplace?
Some examples of force used in the workplace include:
- Pulling or pushing a heavy load.
- Carrying or lifting something heavy.
Static Work
The human body needs to move to function better. If you stay still in a place for several hours, it can have a detrimental effect on the human body.
If you maintain the same position for long hours, it can threaten the body's structure.
Examples of Static Work
- Standing in the same place for long hours.
- Sitting in front of a laptop or computer for long hours.
- Holding up framing pieces on a construction site.
Posture
When you are sitting with proper posture, your body absorbs force in a better way. However, if your posture is awkward, it can make you more susceptible to injury.
When your posture is incorrect, it may strain the joints or reduce the blood flow.
The Correct Posture When Sitting
When you are sitting, the shoulders should be back, and the back should be straight.
Your hips should be touching the back of the chair, and all the normal back curves should be present.
The Correct Posture When Standing
Stand tall and straight. Make sure your shoulder is back, and the head is at level with the body.
Your abdomen should be pulled in. The feed should be a little apart and align with your shoulders.
Contact Stress
When a worker's body rubs against a sharp, rigid, or inflexible surface for an extended time, this can lead to contact stress.
It can be different body parts, like the wrist, knees, elbows, etc. The localized pressure that occurs through a surface against the soft body tissue affects nerve function, blood flow, and the movement of muscles and tendons.
Examples of Contact Stress
Contact stress can occur due to many reasons. Some examples of it are mentioned below.
- Resting your wrists on the sharp edges of the desk.
- Pressing the tool handles into the palms.
- Hand hammering.
- Sitting in cramped spaces.
Contact us for Ergonomic Consultation
Ergobility, Ergonomic Consulting, and Assessment Services, Fremont, CA, can help you solve these problems. Contact us now.