How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace: An Educational Approach to Injury Prevention and Safety

Introduction

IMPORTANT NOTE: Though the Department of Labor's ergonomic guideline was passed into law in November 2000, as of March 8, 2001, it was repealed by the Bush Administration. However, this decision does not change the fact that 10 years of research went into developing this standard and that it can save a business a significant amount of money by preventing on-the-job injuries through education, reduce Workers' Compensation claims, and reduce lost work time due to employee absenteeism.

The voluntary ergonomics standard is aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) developed by workers whose jobs involve repetitive :notions, force, awkward postures, contact stress and vibration. The principle behind ergonomics is that by fitting the job to the worker through adjusting a workstation, rotating between jobs, or using mechanical assists, MSDs can be reduced and ultimately eliminated.

This presentation was conceived and created to fill a need, based on the updated Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 2001 Guidelines, to educate employees about what Musculoskeletal Disorders are, and what steps they can take to prevent them.

The following is excerpted from the new Ergonomic Guidelines (now voluntary). As of this writing, the complete text can be viewed at www.osha.gov

ERGONOMICS PROGRAM GUIDELINES

(excerpt from OSHA Voluntary Ergonomic Guidelines, 2001)

The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number and severity of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) caused by exposure to risk factors in the workplace. (This standard does not address injuries caused by slips, trips, falls, vehicle accidents, or similar accidents.)

This standard is recommended for all employers with 11 or more employees. INITIAL ACTION AN EMPLOYER SHOULD TAKE:

1. Provide each current and each new employee basic information about:

a) Common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their signs and symptoms;

b) The importance of reporting MSDs and their signs and symptoms early and the consequences of failing to report them early;

c) How to report MSDs and their signs and symptoms in your workplace;

d) The kinds of risk factors, jobs and work activities associated with MSDs hazards.

Business policies should encourage 1) the early report of MSDs, their signs and symptoms, and MSD hazards, so that they can be treated immediately and 2) Employee participation in an ergonomics education program.

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER (MSD) is a disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels, or spinal discs. For purposes of this standard, the definition only includes MSDs in the following areas of the body that have been associated with exposure to risk factors: neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hands, abdomen (hernia only), back, knee, ankle, and foot. MSDs may include muscle strains and tears, ligament sprains, joint and tendon inflammation, pinched nerves, and spinal disc degeneration. MSDs include such medical conditions as: low back pain, tension neck syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome, DeQuevain's syndrome, trigger finger, tarsal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, epicondyilitis, tendonitis, Raynaud's phenomenon, hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), carpet layer's knee, and herniated spinal disc.

MSD hazard mean the presence of risk factors in the job that occur at a magnitude, duration, or frequency that is reasonable likely to cause MSDs that result in work restrictions, or medical treatment beyond first aid.

MSD SIGNS are objective physical findings that an employee may be developing an MSD. Examples of MSD signs are: 1) Decreased range of motion; 2) Deformity; 3) Decreased grip strength; and 4) Loss of muscle function.

MSD SYMPTOMS are physical indications that an employee may be developing an MSD. For purposes of this standard, MSD symptoms do not include discomfort. Examples of MSD symptoms are: 1) Pain; 2) Numbness; 3) Tingling; 4) Burning; 5) Cramping; and 6) Stiffness.