ERGONOM

(WORKLOAD)
IC
HAZARDS AND
CONTROL

ADEBAYO HAROUN SANNI

KLAIPEDA UNIVERSITY
Table of
Contents
• Introduction
• What is ergonomic?
• What are MSDs, or musculoskeletal disorders?
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) Symptoms
• Ergonomic risk factors
• Control
• Hierarchy of control
• Conclusion
• Reference
 Introductio
n
Numerous job tasks and cycles are repeated in nature, and they are usually regulated by
work processes and hourly or daily production targets. When paired with other risk
factors including high force and/or uncomfortable postures, high task repetition might
contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). It is possible to
become fatigued and uncomfortable while working if improper postures or excessive
effort are used. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels can all suffer
harm in such circumstances. These types of injuries are referred to as musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs)

Ergonomics helps us understand how work can harm our body and what we can do
to reduce and avoid injuries from repetitive work and overuse of our muscles, joints,
and tendons. The first indications that employment is pushing you over your
physical limitations are tired eyes and muscles that feel uncomfortable. Your work
may be hurting you if you have eye and body strain, aches, tingling, numbness,
weakness, or pain in any region of your body.
What is
Ergonomic
?
The science of ergonomics
focuses on making
occupations fit employees
rather than
attempting to make workers fit
jobs. It concentrates on
creating workstations, tools,
and tasks that are safe,
effective, and comfortable.
Ergonomics aims to reduce
tiredness and injuries while
boosting comfort,
productivity, job satisfaction,
and safety.
Ergonomics is crucial since your
musculoskeletal system is impacted when your
body is under stress from a job-related
awkward posture, severe temperature, or
repeated movement. Fatigue, discomfort, and
pain, which can be the initial symptoms of a
musculoskeletal illness, may start to manifest
in your body.
 Muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve, joint, and blood vessel
What are MSDs, injuries that accumulate over time are known as
musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. When overused or

or misused, the body can wear down or reach its limits. Injury
to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, and discs that
is brought on by human actions and/or an environment that
musculoskeletal does not adhere to safe and healthy work standards is
referred to as an MSD (Health & Safety, 2021).

disorders?
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)
Symptoms
Weakness, Drowsiness,
Aches Lightning,
Sensitivity Stiffness,
, Difficulty moving,
Swelling, Clumsiness, and
Tingling, Noise
Burning,
Ergonomic Risk
Factor
Workplace conditions that
deteriorate the body over time
and increase the chance of harm
are
known as ergonomic risk
factors. These include
repetitive motion, unnatural
posture, forceful
movement, stillness, direct
pressure,
vibration, suffocating heat,
loud noise, and work stress
(Health & Safety, 2021).
The following are factors for
developing Musculoskeletal Disorder;
Force,
Push or pull,
Heaving lifting,
Gripping,
Awkward or prolonged
postures, Contact stress,
Carrying,
Repetitive activities,
Overhead work
and Vibration
 There are many ways to reduce
Contr ergonomic risk factors and help fit the
workplace to the worker. Solutions can
ol be grouped into five main categories:
Eliminate, Substitute, using engineering
control, administrative improvement
and Introduce personal protective
equipment (PPE) . Often the best
solution involves a Combination of
approaches.
Contro
l
Work tasks should be created to
minimize exposure to ergonomic
risk factors in order to decrease
the likelihood of harm. It is vital to
consider the hierarchy of controls
before talking about controls for
ergonomics problems (Gibson,
2016). This hierarchy is viewed
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) as a tool to
identify the most practical and
efficient measures.
Hierarchy of
Control

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/construction_generalindustry/materials/intro_to_osha
/intro_to_osha_guide.pdf
Contr
ol
Elimination :
This is the preferred and most practical course of action. It eliminates
the threat at its root. Eliminating the need to lift, lower, push, drag, or
transport big loads is the best course of action. Project completion may
also be impossible without putting workers in awkward positions or
causing them to reach too far or exert themselves excessively.
Contr
ol
Substitution
The next best course of action is substitution. Consider
substituting or replacing the recognized danger with a
substance, method, or piece of equipment that poses
less of a risk if elimination is not an option. For
instance, the employer can substitute lighter, smaller
containers for huge, heavy containers.
Contr
ol
Engineer
A approach that involves erecting physical barriers to block access to the
hazard. To decrease the frequency of performing risky operations, this could
involve redesigning the equipment or work processes. Alternatively, the
threat may be isolated by surrounding dangerous regions with screens or
barriers. Rearranging, changing, revamping, or replacing tools, equipment,
workstations, packaging, parts, or products are all examples of engineering
advances. These modifications may lessen or even get rid of contributing
causes, which makes them incredibly beneficial. (For instance, having an
adjustable seat or foot stool so that your knees are higher than your hips
helps preserve your lower back if your profession requires extended periods
of sitting.
Contro
l
Examples of engineering controls include the following:
• Redesign workstations and workspaces to get rid of bending,
reaching, and other uncomfortable positions.
• Provide workers with adjustable tables and chairs that allow
for neutral postures and can accommodate a variety of sizes
and shapes. Provide mechanical hoists to reduce lifting and
carts for material transportation.
• Use instruments that are comfortable in the hand, free of
sharp edges, and that do not need uncomfortable wrist and
hand positions.
• Rearrange storage locations for materials to reduce
reaching. Create containers with handles or grip-enhancing
cuts.
Contro
l
Administrative
Organisation should implement safe work practices
to lower the risk when exposure to the risk cannot or
is not able to be avoided by other methods. Changes
to organizational procedures or work practices are
examples of administrative improvements.

Some examples of administrative controls are;

Offering variety in employment
Modifying work pace and timetable
Providing exercise time (i.e., time for muscle
relaxation) Modifying work relaxation
Assuring routine upkeep of workspaces, tools,
and equipment and,
Promoting physical activity
Contr
ol
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
To boost protection and in cases where
conventional precautions are ineffective.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) can be
utilized while longer-lasting solutions are being
sought and put into place, or if you are unable
to redesign the task or the tooling to reduce
dangers (Workers’ Guide to Health and Safety,
2015). Some example of PPE control are;
• Knee pads are one type of personal
protective equipment (PPE) that can aid with
ergonomic issues.
• Shoulder pads to protect the shoulders from
loads.
• Gloves for use on surfaces that are cold,
vibrate, or are rough
Conclusio
n
To reduce musculoskeletal problems, employers should implement an
ergonomics program. The “fit” between a work and the abilities of the
employees executing it can be improved by ergonomic improvements.
Making ergonomic changes decreases physical demands, gets rid of
unnecessary movements, reduces injury rates and the expenses of
workers’ compensation that go along with them, and slows down
employee turnover. Organizations should employ one of the strategies
in the “Hierarchy of Controls” mentioned in the Occupational Health
and Safety Management Systems when making improvements to
ergonomic issues. Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls,
Administrative Controls and Personal Protective Equipment
Reference
Gibson, C., (2016). Ergonomic: controlling the hazards.
https://www.thegibsonedge.com/blog/ergonomics-controlling-the-hazards

Health & Safety (2021). Hierarchy Of Controls And How It Relates To

Ergonomics Improvement. https://www.hseblog.com/hierarchy-of-controls-
and-how-it-relates-to-ergonomics-improvement/

Vandergrift, J.L., Gold, J.E., Hanlon, A., & Laura, P., (2012). Physical and
psychosocial ergonomic risk factors for low back pain in automobile
manufacturing workers. Occup Environ Med 69(29-34).

Workers’ Guide to Health and Safety (2015). http://ergo-

plus.com/ergonomic-risk-factors/

http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/construction_genera