Oak Creek Insurance Agency

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IN: Prevent MSD: A Leading Cause Of Lost Workdays

Dear Valued Customer,

Musculoskeletal Disorders affect the muscles, nerves and tendons. Work related MSD’s are one of the leading causes of lost workday injury and illness.

This issue of the “—————-” is focused on explaining how work-related MSDs can be prevented. Read on about OSHA’s Solutions to Control Hazards and Identifying Problems. It will not only help you understand the extent of this far-ranging issue, it will also help you minimize MSD’s by implementing the right training and controls in your workplace.

It’s important to use an insurance agent who understands your working conditions. We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

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Prevention Of Musculoskeletal Disorders In The Workplace

Workers_Misc_Icons_LeaderMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves and tendons. Work related MSDs (including those of the neck, upper extremities and low back) are one of the leading causes of lost workday injury and illness. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker’s risk of injury.

But work-related MSDs can be prevented. Ergonomics — fitting a job to a person — helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

Impact of MSDs in the Workplace

Work related MSDs are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

  • In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that industries with the highest MSD* rates include health care, transportation and warehousing, retail and wholesale trade and construction.
  • According to BLS, the 387,820 MSD cases accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases in 2011.

A Process for Protecting Workers

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. In the workplace, the number and severity of MSDs resulting from physical overexertion, as well as their associated costs, can be substantially reduced by applying ergonomic principals.

Implementing an ergonomic process has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of developing MSDs in industries as diverse as construction, food processing, office jobs, healthcare, beverage delivery and warehousing. The following are important elements of an ergonomic process:

  • Provide Management Support – A strong commitment by management is critical to the overall success of an ergonomic process. Management should define clear goals and objectives for the ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
  • Involve Workers – A participatory ergonomic approach, where workers are directly involved in worksite assessments, solution development and implementation is the essence of a successful ergonomic process. Workers can:
    • Identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces.
    • Assist in the ergonomic process by voicing their concerns and suggestions for reducing exposure to risk factors and by evaluating the changes made as a result of an ergonomic assessment.
  • Provide Training – Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics related concerns in the workplace, and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of MSDs.
  • Identify Problems – An important step in the ergonomic process is to identify and assess ergonomic problems in the workplace before they result in MSDs.
  • Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms – Early reporting can accelerate the job assessment and improvement process, helping to prevent or reduce the progression of symptoms, the development of serious injuries, and subsequent lost-time claims.
  • Implement Solutions to Control Hazards – There are many possible solutions that can be implemented to reduce, control or eliminate workplace MSDs.
  • Evaluate Progress – Established evaluation and corrective action procedures need to be in place to periodically assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process and to ensure its continuous improvement and long-term success. As an ergonomic process is first developing, assessments should include determining whether goals set for the ergonomic process have been met and determining the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions.

Note: An ergonomic process uses the principles of an Injury and Illness Prevention Program to address MSD hazards. Such a process should be viewed as an ongoing function that is incorporated into the daily operations, rather than as an individual project.

How do I find out about employer responsibilities and worker rights?

Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury). For more information see www.whistleblowers.gov or worker rights.

OSHA has a great deal of information to assist employers in complying with their responsibilities under the OSHA law.

OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. To reach your regional or area OSHA office, go to OSHA’s Regional & Area Offices webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Small Business employers may contact OSHA’s free and confidential on-site consultation service to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksites and work with OSHA on correcting any identified hazards. On-site consultation services are separate from enforcement activities and do not result in penalties or citations. To contact OSHA’s free consultation service, go to OSHA’s On-site Consultation webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and press number 4.

Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards. Employees can file a complaint with OSHA by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or by printing the complaint form and mailing or faxing it to your local OSHA area office. Complaints that are signed by an employee are more likely to result in an inspection.

If you think your job is unsafe or you have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (672). It’s confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers’ Rights, Employer Responsibilities, and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA’s Workers’ page.

Examples of Musculoskeletal Disorders:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Tendinitis
  • Rotator cuff injuries (a shoulder problem)
  • Epicondylitis (an elbow problem)
  • Trigger finger
  • Muscle strains and low back injuries

 

Source: United States Department of Labor, “Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace” https://www.osha.gov website. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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Identify Problems

Workers_Planning-HandsCloseupAn important part of the ergonomic process is a periodic review of the facility, specific workstation designs and work practices, and the overall production process, from an ergonomics perspective. This includes identifying existing problems, which can be obtained from reviewing the company’s OSHA 300 injury and illness logs, 301 reports, workers’ compensation records, and worker reports of problems. However, a more forward looking approach, to be used in combination with reviewing injury and illness records, is to be proactive in identifying potential ergonomic issues that have gone unnoticed or resulted from facility changes, before they result in MSDs. Observations of workplace conditions and work processes, ergonomic job analyses, workplace surveys, and worker interviews are common proactive methods for identifying ergonomics related injury risks.

Review Injury Records

Looking at your injury and illness data will help identify ergonomic problems. These data can be obtained from reviewing the company’s OSHA 300 Injury and Illness Logs, 301 reports, workers’ compensation records, first aid logs, accident and near-miss investigation reports, insurance company reports and worker reports of problems.

worker unloading water from a truck

Reaching above the shoulder to load objects

Source: OSHA Beverage Delivery eTool

Observe Workplace Conditions

By looking critically at your workplace operations, you can identify risk factors and eliminate or control them as early as possible.

Risk Factors

The risk of MSD injury depends on work positions and postures, how often the task is performed, the level of required effort and how long the task lasts. Risk factors that may lead to the development of MSDs include:

  • Exerting excessive force. Examples include lifting heavy objects or people, pushing or pulling heavy loads, manually pouring materials, or maintaining control of equipment or tools.
  • Performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Performing the same motion or series of motions continually or frequently for an extended period of time.
  • Working in awkward postures or being in the same posture for long periods of time. Using positions that place stress on the body, such as prolonged or repetitive reaching above shoulder height, kneeling, squatting, leaning over a counter, using a knife with wrists bent, or twisting the torso while lifting.
  • Localized pressure into the body part. Pressing the body or part of the body (such as the hand) against hard or sharp edges, or using the hand as a hammer.
  • Cold temperatures in combination with any one of the above risk factors may also increase the potential for MSDs to develop. For example, many of the operations in meatpacking and poultry processing occur with a chilled product or in a cold environment.
  • Combined exposure to several risk factors may place workers at a higher risk for MSDs than does exposure to any one risk factor.

In addition, observe whether workers are:

  • Modifying their tools, equipment or work area
  • Shaking their arms and hands
  • Rolling their shoulders
  • Bringing products such as back belts or wrist braces into the workplace
worker using a vibrating tool

Using a vibrating tool

Source: OSHA Foundry Guidelines, 2012(PDF*)

These behaviors can mean that workers are experiencing ergonomic issues. Talk with them and review their work to see if any risk factors for MSDs are present. Workers can identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces. Their opinions and suggestions for change also are valuable.

Once problem jobs are identified, conducting an in-depth ergonomic job analysis can help identify solutions to prevent MSDs. An ergonomic job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment.

Encouraging and Utilizing Early Reports of Injury

Comprehensive injury reporting is important to the success of an ergonomic process. The goal of this effort is to properly assess, diagnose, and treat MSDs. Early reporting, diagnosis, and intervention can limit injury severity, improve the effectiveness of treatment, minimize the likelihood of disability or permanent damage, and reduce workers compensation claims. This then allows the employer to correctly identify work areas or specific tasks where injuries frequently occur or are most severe. This information helps direct the activities of the ergonomic team as well as to guide healthcare providers in making return-to-work and light-duty work decisions. OSHA’s injury and illness recording and reporting regulation (29 CFR Part 1904) require employers to record and report work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses.

  • OSHA Recordkeeping Handbook. OSHA. (2005). Is a compendium of existing agency-approved recordkeeping materials, including the regulatory text from the 2001 final rule on Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements and relevant explanatory excerpts from the preamble to the rule; chapter 5 of the agency’s Recordkeeping Policies and Procedures Manual; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and OSHA letters of interpretation.

Encouraging and utilizing reports of symptoms of MSDs:

  • Reinforces worker training on recognizing MSD symptoms.
  • Encourages early reporting of MSD symptoms.
  • Allows for prompt medical evaluations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
  • Reduces injury severity, the number of workers’ compensation claims and associated costs and the likelihood of permanent disability.
  • Provides guidance on return-to-work and work placement restrictions during the healing process.
  • Guides job modifications.
  • Provides a mechanism to track and trend MSD injuries.
  • Enables assessment of the effectiveness of work changes.

Healthcare professionals are important ergonomic team members. They help injured workers recover more quickly and return to their jobs with appropriate restrictions and less risk for reinjury. It is necessary that these professionals are knowledgeable about the operations and work practices within the specific industry. Their knowledge will allow them to assist the injured worker during the healing process and in post-injury work placement.

Resources
Resources on Risk Factors
  • Easy Ergonomics – Section II (PDF). State of California. (1999). Provides descriptions and examples of common factors that contribute to the development of MSDs.
  • Fitting the Task to the Person: Ergonomics for the Very Small Businesses (PDF). State of California. (2000). Provides descriptions and examples of common risk factors with solutions.
  • Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2005, December 12). Outlines common risk factors and their injuries.
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-141. (1997, July). Reviews the majority of the relevant studies available at the time and documents the relationship between MSDs and various workplace factors.
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities. National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. (2001). Presents the latest information on the prevalence, incidence and costs of musculoskeletal disorders and identifies factors that influence injury reporting.
  • Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of the Evidence. National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. (1998). Based on evidence presented and discussed at the two-day Workshop on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries: Examining the Research Base and on follow-up deliberations of the steering committee assembled by the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council.
  • Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Report, Workshop Summary and Workshop Papers. National Academy Press. (1999). Includes a steering committee report, workshop information and a review of interventions.
Resources on Job Analysis
  • Job Hazard Analysis (PDF*). OSHA. (2002). Explains what a job hazard analysis is and offers guidelines to help conduct your own step-by-step analysis.
  • Safety and Health Management Systems eTool: Hazard Analysis Methodologies. OSHA. Describes hazard analysis methodologies.
  • Safety and Health Management Systems eTool: Worksite Analysis. OSHA. Discusses what a worksite analysis is and how often it should be done.
  • Be prepared to do self analysis of your workplace (PDF). Cal/OSHA. (1999). Provides job analysis methods (pages 19-25).
  • Ergonomic Assessment Toolkit (PDF). American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). (2011). Provides a consolidated resource of commonly used ergonomic assessment tools with explanation of when, where and how each tool is applied. An electronic link is provided for each tool.
  • Assessment Tools. Department of Defense (DOD), Ergonomics Working Group. Provides links to assessment tools and prevention strategies developed by the DOD Ergonomics Working Group.
  • Manual Material Handling. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Contains tools to help employers analyze lifting and moving (MAC tool), repetitive tasks like twisting, bending and repeated movements (ART tool) and push/pull.
  • Analysis Tools for Ergonomists. University of Southern Florida, College of Public Health. (2007, April 1). Provides a suite of advanced tools, which may require outside training or direction or use by an experienced practitioner.
  • Manual Materials Handling. Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. (2012). These tables present information about the percentages of men and women capable of performing manual material handling tasks without overexertion.
  • Lessons for Lifting and Moving Materials (PDF). Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. (2000, February). Provides pertinent information on back anatomy, back injuries and methods to avoid the risks of back injury. A checklist, Lifting Hazard Assessment Worksheet, based on the 1991 NIOSH Revised Lifting Equation is included on pages 20 and 21.
  • Evaluation Tools. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Provides links for evaluation tools.
  • Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-110. (1994, January 1). Contains a complete description of all terms in NIOSH’s lifting equation with several sample calculations.
  • Health Hazard Evaluations. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH conducts investigations of possible health hazards in the workplace. This page allows a search for all NIOSH evaluations concerning ergonomics.
  • Interpreters for the Deaf (PDF). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) HETA 92-0268-2477. (1994, December). An evaluation of the problem of MSDs among interpreters for the deaf.
Resources on Injury Rates
  • Worker Health eChartbook: Musculoskeletal Conditions – Magnitude and Trend Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2009, September 9). Provides descriptive occupational morbidity and mortality data in the United States. It includes figures and tables describing the magnitude, distribution and trends of the nation’s occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

*Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA’s Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

All other documents, that are not PDF materials or formatted for the web, are available as Microsoft Office® formats and videos and are noted accordingly. If additional assistance is needed with reading, reviewing or accessing these documents or any figures and illustrations, please also contact OSHA’s Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300.

Source: United States Department of Labor, “Identify Problems” https://www.osha.gov website. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/identifyprobs.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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Solutions To Control Hazards

Workers_ManFixingACUnitMany industries have successfully implemented ergonomic solutions in their facilities as a way to address their workers’ MSD injury risks. These interventions have included modifying existing equipment, making changes in work practices and purchasing new tools or other devices to assist in the production process. Making these changes has reduced physical demands, eliminated unnecessary movements, lowered injury rates and their associated workers’ compensation costs and reduced employee turnover. In many cases, work efficiency and productivity have increased as well. Simple, low-cost solutions are often available to solve problems. Use the information on this page to see what has worked for others in your industry or in other industries.

Overview of Controls for MSD Hazards

To reduce the chance of injury, work tasks should be designed to limit exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Where possible, engineering controls are the most desirable. Administrative or work practice controls may be appropriate in some cases where engineering controls cannot be implemented or when different procedures are needed after implementation of the new engineering controls. Personal protection solutions have only limited effectiveness when dealing with ergonomic hazards.

Type of Control Workplace Examples
Engineering Controls(implement physical change to the workplace, which eliminates/reduces the hazard on the job/task)
  • Use a device to lift and reposition heavy objects to limit force exertion
  • Reduce the weight of a load to limit force exertion
  • Reposition a work table to eliminate a long/excessive reach and enable working in neutral postures
  • Use diverging conveyors off a main line so that tasks are less repetitive
  • Install diverters on conveyors to direct materials toward the worker to eliminate excessive leaning or reaching
  • Redesign tools to enable neutral postures
Administrative and Work Practice Controls (establish efficient processes or procedures)
  • Require that heavy loads are only lifted by two people to limit force exertion
  • Establish systems so workers are rotated away from tasks to minimize the duration of continual exertion, repetitive motions, and awkward postures. Design a job rotation system in which employees rotate between jobs that use different muscle groups
  • Staff “floaters” to provide periodic breaks between scheduled breaks
  • Properly use and maintain pneumatic and power tools
Personal Protective Equipment (use protection to reduce exposure to ergonomics-related risk factors)
  • Use padding to reduce direct contact with hard, sharp, or vibrating surfaces
  • Wear good fitting thermal gloves to help with cold conditions while maintaining the ability to grasp items easily

example of an engineering control: mechanical devices that lift and tilt to adjust materials for easier handling

Example of an engineering control: mechanical devices that lift and tilt to adjust materials for easier handling

Source: OSHA Foundry Guidelines, 2012 (PDF*)

Success Stories
  • Success Stories. OSHA collects brief stories from employers that have implemented ergonomics programs or used best practices with successful results. The success stories are grouped by SIC codes.
  • Case Studies. OSHA collects accounts from employers that have implemented measures, programs or effective practices that have helped reduce the risk of ergonomic injuries or other positive outcomes.
  • Ergonomic Programs that Work. OSHA Video. (1998). Provides information about successful ergonomic programs.
  • Private Sector Ergonomics Programs Yield Positive Results. GAO Report. (1997, August). This report to Congress prepared by the Government Accounting Office looks at the efforts and successes of 5 companies who dealt with their ergonomic issues. The companies are: American Express, AMP Incorporated, Navistar, Sisters of Charity Health Systems and Texas Instruments.
Resources
General
  • Ergonomics: The Study of Work (PDF*). OSHA Publication 3125. (2000). A booklet that educates employers and workers about ergonomics and provides simple solutions to address ergonomic hazards.
  • Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Includes a variety of links that deal with risk factors and solutions that help protect workers.
Guidelines

These guidelines contain recommendations, best practices and lessons learned. They are designed to help employers and workers recognize and control industry-specific ergonomics-related risk factors.

Industry or Task-Specific Solutions

Agriculture

  • Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Farm Workers [En Español]. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-111. (2001). Describes how to make or order inexpensive new tools or to modify existing ones to reduce the risk of backaches and pains in the arms, shoulders and hands of farm workers.
  • Conference Proceedings: Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Children and Adolescents Working in Agriculture.US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-119. (2004, June). Provides a summary of a national conference that was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 6-7, 2002. The agricultural safety and health experts who attended the meeting discussed research needs regarding prevention of MSDs for children and adolescents working in agriculture.

Apparel and Footwear

Baggage Handling

  • Baggage Handling (Airline industry) eTool. OSHA. Describes many of the common ergonomic hazards associated with the baggage handling process as well as providing possible solutions that are ranked according to their feasibility to the operations.
  • Ergonomic Solutions: Baggage Handling (PDF). Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Division of Workers’ Compensation. (2005, October). Provides a PDF version of OSHA’s baggage handling e-Tool (available in English and en Español).

Beverage Delivery

  • Beverage Delivery eTool. OSHA. Describes ergonomic hazards and possible solutions for workers in the beverage delivery Industry.
  • Ergonomic Interventions for the Soft Drink Beverage Delivery Industry. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 96-109. (1996). Presents the results of an ergonomic study to investigate, identify and reduce risk factors that may cause MSDs and injury in the soft drink beverage delivery industry.
  • Beverage Distribution Letter from OSHA, August 18, 2011

Carpet Laying

worker at a computer workstation

Ergonomics while working at a computer workstation

Source: OSHA Computer Workstation eTool

Computer Workstation

  • Computer Workstations eTool. OSHA. Illustrates simple, inexpensive principles that will help create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. Discusses basic design goals to consider when setting up a computer workstation or performing computer-related tasks.
  • Working Safely with Video Display Terminals (PDF). OSHA Publication 3092. (1997). Discusses common ergonomic issues related to use of video display terminals.
  • Easy Ergonomics: Computer Desktop Users (PDF). Cal/OSHA. (2005). Provides suggestions for working safely and reducing risks of injury while working at a desktop computer.
  • Video Display Terminal Guidelines (PDF). New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS). (1992). Helps managers provide VDT operators with well-designed workstations and appropriate training.
  • Workstation Adjustments for Comfort and Safety (PDF). Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Division of Workers’ Compensation. (2005, October). Provides recommendations to create a more comfortable, more efficient, healthier and safer workstation environment.

Construction

worker tying rebar standing up instead of stooping over

Tie rebar standing up instead of stooping over

Source: Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, 2010 (PDF)

  • Prevention Videos (v-Tools): Construction Hazards. OSHA. The following videos show worksite sprains and strains in construction and corrective actions.
  • Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 2007-122. (2007). Provides practical ideas to help reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury in common construction tasks.
  • Human Factors Toolbox Talks. Developed through the OSHA and American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Alliance.
    • Back Injuries in Construction (2010, March)
    • Healthy Backs in the Mechanical Trades (2010, March)
    • Lifts & Loads: Lifting by 2 Persons (2010, March)
    • Material Handling on Construction Sites (2010, March)
    • Mini Breaks During the Day (2010, March)
    • Minimizing Musculoskeletal Fatigue (2010, March)
  • Good Ergonomics for Welders. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2012, January 18). Guidance provided by the Canadian government concerning ergonomics for welders.
  • Prevention of Strains, Sprains and Material Handling Injuries in Construction [PPSX* and PDF*]. Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. (2010, July). Participants developed a slide presentation on the prevention of strains, sprains and material handling injuries in construction.
  • Strains, Sprains and Material Handling Safety Tips for Employers and Workers (PDF*). Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. (2011, February). Participants developed safety tips sheets for employers and workers focusing on the reduction of strains and sprains in the construction industry.
  • Sprains and Strains Prevention Toolbox Safety Talk (PDF*). Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. (2010, July). Participants developed a toolbox talk on the prevention of sprains and strains in construction.
  • Ergonomics and Construction – The Smart Move. Laborers Health and Safety Fund. Provides general information about ergonomics and construction with tabs to additional information.

Food Distribution Centers

Foundries

Furniture Manufacturing

Grocery Stores and Warehousing

illustration showing a portable lift device

Use a portable lift device to eliminate patient lifting

Source: OSHA Nursing Home Guidelines, 2009(PDF*)

Healthcare

  • Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3182. (Revised 2009). Provides recommendations for nursing home employers to help reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs in their facilities.
  • OSHA Ergonomic eTools are stand-alone, interactive, web-based training designed to help prevent MSDs in health care.
    • Hospital: Ergonomics. Focuses on some of the hazards and controls found in the hospital setting, and describes standard requirements as well as recommended safe work practices for employee safety and health.
    • Nursing Home. Designed to assist employers and employees in identifying and controlling the hazards associated with nursing homes and residential care facilities, including ergonomic hazards.
    • Sonography. Addresses ergonomics-related risk factors for sonographers.
  • Beyond Getting Started: A Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting (PDF). Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP). (Summer 2011). Provides tools for the occupational health professional to implement a safe patient handling program.
  • Patient Handling and Movement Assessments: A White Paper (PDF). Health Guidelines Revision Committee. (2010, April). Goals of the white paper include providing readers with information and resources to help them prepare a patient handling and movement assessment and establish a business case for implementing a patient handling and movement program.
  • Back Injury Prevention Guide in the Health Care Industry for Health Care Providers (PDF). Cal/OSHA. (1997). Provides general guidance for employers and workers about preventing back injury as a result of lifting and moving patients and residents.
  • Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing Home Residents (PDF). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 2006-117. (2006, February). This guide is intended for nursing home owners, administrators, nurse managers, safety and health professionals and workers who are interested in establishing a safe resident handling program.
  • Safe Patient Handling and Movement. Department of Veterans Affairs. Provides information about the proper techniques for patient transfers and lifting as well as ways to evaluate the workplace and develop an effective injury-prevention program.
  • Caring for Caregivers (PDF*). Job Safety & Health Quarterly 13.2 (Winter 2002): 25-27.

Manufacturing

Meatpacking

  • Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants. OSHA. (1993). Provides information on the steps employers should take to determine if they have ergonomic-related problems in their workplaces, to identify the nature and location of those problems and to implement measures to reduce or eliminate them.
  • Participatory Ergonomic Interventions in Meatpacking Plants. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 94-124. (1994). Provides in-depth reports of intervention projects to reduce ergonomic hazards at three meat packing plants.

Mining

  • Ergonomics in Mining: Charting a Path to a Safer Workplace. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 2006-141. (2006, September). Provides information on ergonomic processes which can be implemented in a setting such as mining where working conditions frequently change and workers are periodically exposed to extreme weather conditions.
illustration showing a work using diverters

Use diverters to direct material toward the worker to eliminate a long/awkward reach

Source: OSHA Poultry Processing Guidelines, 2004 (Updated Guidelines, 2013(PDF*))

Poultry Processing

Printing

  • Printing (Commercial) eTool. OSHA. Provides information based on the experience of others to help make the process of hazard minimization easier. A description of the printing process and the trouble areas that have currently been identified are detailed for each major styles of printing: lithography, flexography and screen printing.

Sewing

  • Sewing eTool [en Español]. OSHA. Workers involved in sewing activities, such as manufacturing garments, shoes and airplane or car upholstery, may be at risk of developing MSDs. This eTool provides example ergonomics solutions specific to sewing.

Shipyards

before - worker not using a drum mover - after - worker using a drum mover

Use a drum mover to reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy drums

Source: OSHA Shipyard Guidelines, 2008 (PDF*)

Telecommunications

  • Ergonomic Guidelines for Common Job Functions Within the Telecommunications Industry (PDF). National Telecommunications Safety Panel. (2007, November). Provides information pertaining to the science of ergonomics and its impact on the telecommunications industry. It is organized into 4 main sections by work type within the telecommunications industry; outside plant environment, central office environment, office environment and retail environment.

Veterinary

*Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA’s Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

All other documents, that are not PDF materials or formatted for the web, are available as Microsoft Office® formats and videos and are noted accordingly. If additional assistance is needed with reading, reviewing or accessing these documents or any figures and illustrations, please also contact OSHA’s Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300.

**eBooks – EPUB is the most common format for e-Books. If you use a Sony Reader, a Nook, or an iPad you can download the EPUB file format. If you use a Kindle, you can download the MOBI file format.

Source: United States Department of Labor, “Solutions to Control Hazards” http://www.osga.gov website. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.