What Is An “Ergonomic Injury”
The correct answer and explanation is:
An ergonomic injury refers to injuries or conditions that occur due to the design of a workplace, tasks, tools, or equipment that do not fit the physical needs of the worker. These injuries typically arise from repetitive motions, poor posture, or overexertion that strains muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. The most common ergonomic injuries are related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back pain.
Types of Ergonomic Injuries
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): These occur when a worker performs the same motion or task over and over, leading to stress and injury in muscles, tendons, or nerves. Examples include typing or using a mouse for long periods.
- Postural Injuries: Poor posture, such as sitting hunched over a desk or lifting heavy objects incorrectly, can put excessive stress on the spine and muscles, leading to chronic pain and discomfort.
- Forceful Movements: Lifting heavy objects or using power tools without proper techniques or equipment can cause strain on muscles and joints.
- Contact Stress: This happens when body parts (such as the wrist or elbow) press against hard or sharp edges for long periods, which can lead to inflammation or nerve damage.
- Vibration-related Injuries: Prolonged exposure to vibrating equipment like power tools can lead to conditions like hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), which affects blood vessels, nerves, and joints.
Causes of Ergonomic Injuries
- Poor workstation setup: Inadequate desk heights, uncomfortable chairs, or improperly placed keyboards can cause strain.
- Monotonous tasks: Jobs that require workers to perform repetitive movements or maintain the same posture for long hours without breaks are high-risk for ergonomic injuries.
- Improper tools or equipment: Tools that are poorly designed for the task can force the body into awkward positions, causing discomfort and strain.
Prevention
To prevent ergonomic injuries, it is crucial to design workplaces and tools that accommodate the worker’s physical needs, use proper lifting techniques, and encourage regular breaks to reduce strain.