Ergonomics for Industrial Environments
Every year, hundreds of thousands of workers are diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. Understanding how to recognize and reduce the stress on your body from your daily work environment will help greatly reduce the likelihood of developing an MSD. This course discusses MSD prevention techniques in industrial environments, including engineering and administrative controls as well as motion-based, physical, environmental, and psychological risk factors associated with MSDs. Following the tips and guidelines illustrated in this course will reduce your chances of suffering from an MSD and help you have a healthy, productive work experience.
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Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify different types of musculoskeletal disorders MSDs) and discuss the risk factors for developing these disorders
- Describe motion-based risk factors and discuss their cumulative effects on the body
- Describe physical work environment risk factors
- Identify psychological state risk factors
- Explain ergonomic control strategies and discuss how these strategies can be used to prevent MSDs at work
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Tamil, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Czech |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | OSHA Ergonomic Guidelines |
Key Questions
An injury or illness that affects the nerves, tendons, muscles, and/or supporting structure of the body. These are known as MSDs and often occur in industrial environments due to improper ergonomics.
What is industrial ergonomics?Industrial ergonomics is the science of fitting the workplace to the worker, instead of the worker to the workplace, to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in manufacturing and industrial settings.
What are MSD risk factors in industrial environments?Risk factors for MSDs in industrial environments include motion-based activities, the physical work environment, and social and psychological factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective industrial ergonomics training.
What are some motion-based risk factors for MSDs?Some motion-based risk factors for MSDs in industrial environments include awkward postures and positions, forceful exertions, repetitive motions, duration of exertion, vibration, and contact stress. Addressing these through ergonomic manufacturing practices can reduce risks.
What are some symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?Symptoms of MSDs include muscle aches, sudden, stabbing pain, weak, numb, burning, and/or tingling sensations, cramping, and stiffness. Recognizing these symptoms early can lead to better ergonomic interventions in industrial settings.
What can be done to reduce the risk of MSDs in industrial environments?Reducing the risk of MSDs in industrial environments involves implementing engineering controls, administrative controls, proper lifting and handling techniques, and ergonomic manufacturing practices to strengthen and protect workers.
Sample Video Transcript
Every year, hundreds of thousands of workers are diagnosed with Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs. MSDs are injuries or illnesses that affect the nerves, tendons, muscles, and supporting structures of the body. These injuries include sprains, strains, inflammation, degeneration, tears, pinched to nerves or blood vessels, bone splintering, and stress fractures. Many of these problems develop gradually and result in chronic injuries, although sudden events such as trips or falls may also lead to an MSD. This module discusses the risk factors for MSDs present in an industrial setting, and how to reduce those factors.
Additional Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – www.osha.gov
- OSHA Safety and Health Topics – www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/
- OSHA eTools – www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/index.html
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – www.cdc.gov/niosh/
- NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health Topics – www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/
Course Applies To
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