Biomechanical risk factors Flashcards
What is a hazard?
Something with the potential to cause harm
What is a risk?
The potential outcome of hazards and the possibility of injury, illness, damage or loss occurring as the result of a hazard.
What is a risk of working at heights?
fall from height breaking limbs
What is risk assessment?
A process where you identify hazards, analyse or evaluate risk associated with that hazard and determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazard.
What are the 5 steps of risk management?
- Identify hazard
- assess and prioritise risk
- decide on control measures
- implement control measures
- monitor and review
When is risk management undertaken?
Now if not previously completed, when changes occur, after accident or injury and regularly at scheduled intervals
What are the 5 biomechanical risk factors?
- Forceful exertions
- Awkward or static posturing
- Repetition
- contact stress/compression
- Vibration
What are modifying factors of biomechanical risk factors
exposure to cold and/or psychosocial stressors
What is force?
A strong physical exertion
What are examples of force?
heavy lifting, pulling, pushing, twisting, gripping, pinching, and handling heavy equipment, tools or products
What is exertion?
the tension produced by muscles and transmitted through tendons. Excessive muscle tension can contract muscles to their maximum capability and lead to fatigue and possible damage to other muscles and tissues.
What are examples of forceful exertion when lifting?
- lifting more than 35kg at once
- more than 20kg 10 times per day
- more than 10kg from a height below the knees, above the shoulders or at arms length more than 25 times per day.
What is an an example of forceful exertion when pulling/pushing?
pushing/pulling with more than 8kg of force for more than 2 hours per day
What is an an example of forceful exertion when pinching?
pinching an unsupported object weighing 1 or more kg per hand for more than 2 hours per day
What is an an example of forceful exertion when gripping?
Gripping an unsupported object weighing 5kg or more per hand for more than 2 hours per day
What is awkward posturing?
postures outside of neutral
What can awkward postures cause?
can compress nerves and irritate tendons
What are 3 examples of awkward posture?
- Repeatedly raising or working with the hands above the head or elbows above the shoulders for more than 2 hours per day
- Kneeling or squatting
- Working with the back, neck or wrist bent or twisted
- sitting with feet unsupported
- Sitting at a desk all day with poor posture
What is a static posture?
holding the same position or using the same muscles for extended periods of time.
What can static posture cause?
restrict blood flow and damage muscles
What is repetition?
performing the same motion or series of motions continually or frequently for an extended period.
How many repetitions per hour is considered a biomechanical risk factor for the shoulder?
more than 2.5 repetitions per minute
How many repetitions per hour is considered a biomechanical risk factor for the upper part of arm/elbow?
more than 10 repetitions per min
How many repetitions per hour is considered a biomechanical risk factor for the forearm/wrist?
more than 1o repetitions per min
How many repetitions per hour is considered a biomechanical risk factor for the finger?
More than 200 repetitions per minute
What is compression/compact stress?
pressing the body or part of the body against hard surfaces or edges.
What can compression cause?
can concentrate force on a small area of the body, reduce blood flow and nerve transmission and damage tendons and tendon sheaths
What is arm/hand vibration?
Vibration in the arms/hands caused by exposure to objects such as power tools
How much vibration is considered a biomechanical risk factor for the arms/hands?
Using vibrating tools with high vibration levels for more than 30 minutes per day. (chainsaws, jack hammer)
Using tools or equipment that typically have moderate vibration levels for more than 2 hours per day (jigsaw, grinder, sander)
What is whole body vibration?
Exposure to vibration as a result of vehicles eg forklifts, cranes, buses, aircraft etc
What can prolonged exposure to whole body vibration cause?
Can affect skeletal muscles and cause low back pain
What temperatures can be considered a biomechanical risk factor?
Cold temperatures below 20 degrees.
What is the risk of working at cold temperatures?
Nerve damage, adversely affect coordination and manual dexterity and cause a worker to use more force than required.
What are the contributory factors of biomechanical risk?
- Gender
- Age
- Genetics
- Physiological status
- Physical condition
- Nutrition
- Psychological status
