Chapter 13 WMSD Flashcards
What is Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD)?
Injuries that affect the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments) that develop gradually over time due to micro-trauma to these tissues
OR
Physical ailments or abnormal conditions which develop gradually over a period of time as a result of repeated mechanical stresses on a particular body part
What are other names for WMSD?
Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD)
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
Repeated Trauma Disorders (RTD)
Types of risk factors
occupational, personal, and psychosocial
What is associated with occupational risk factor
associated with a work task and work areas (repetition, force, posture, vibration, exposure to cold, insufficient rest and recovery)
What is associated with personal risk factor
Associated with an individual that may
predispose them to risk (age, gender,
personality type, recreational activities,
anthropometry, etc.)
What is associated with psychosocial risk factor
Associated with the organizational
practices and procedures (time stress,
supervisory control, autonomy, job
security, interaction with coworkers,
increased workload demands, lack of job
clarity, etc.)
Neck WMSD physical ailments or abnormal conditions
Tension neck syndrome and posture strain
Neck WMSD Contributing factors
- prolonged static, restricted or nonnatural posture
- prolonged lifting of head
Primary Neck WMSD prevention through admin controls
job enlargement
Back WMSD physical ailments or abnormal conditions
- degenerative disc disease
- herniated disc
- mechanical back syndrome
- ligament sprain
- muscle strain
Contributing factors to Back WMSD
- prolonged static load on upper torso musculature
- awkward posture: extensive trunk flexion or extension
- constant lifting of objects from the floor
- bending and twisting
Primary prevention admin control for back WMSD
Training employee(s) in proper lifting technique
Physical ailments or abnormal conditions as a result of Shoulder WMSD
Thoracic outlet syndrome and shoulder tendonitis
Contributing factors to shoulder WMSD
- prolonged flexion/abduction of shoulders
- frequent reaching above shoulders
- tasks which pull shoulders back and down
- prolonged load on shoulders
- repetitive throwing of heavy loads
Physical ailments or abnormal conditions of elbow WMSD
- Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Contributing factors to elbow WMSD
- repetitive forearm pronation
- extreme rotation of the forearm
- extreme flexion of the elbow
physical ailments or abnormal conditions due to finger WMSD
- digital neuritis
- trigger finger
- DeQuervain’s Disease (thumb)
Contributing factors to finger WMSD
- vibrating tools
- repetitive ulnar deviation
- flexion of the wrist with effort
- forceful gripping
Prevention methods of finger WMSD
- job rotation and/or job enlargement
- protective materials (gloves or handles) to absorb vibrations
prevention and control for shoulder WMSD
- increase recovery time when forces are high
- reduce awkward shoulder postures
- reduce frequent reaching above shoulder
- reduce loads on shoulder
prevention and control of elbow WMSD
- minimize forearm rotation
- implement rest periods
- utilize power tools if necessary
physical ailments or abnormal conditions due to wrist WMSD
- Tendonitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Guyon’s Canal Syndrome
Contributing factors to Wrist WMSD
- repetitive forceful wrist extension/flexion
- high/static force finger movements
- palmar base pressure
- ulnar deviation
- rapid wrist rotational movement
prevention and control for wrist WMSD
stretching exercises and implementation of rest periods
What are engineering controls
Focus on changing the work environment to minimize WMSD
What are Admin controls
Focus on changing the work procedures or methods to minimize WMSD
All possible affected body parts
3 trunk:
- Neck
- Back
- Shoulder
3 arm:
- Fingers
- Wrist
- Elbow
Engineering controls examples
- position work to eliminate awkward postures
- adjust seating
- Avoid over-shoulder and below-knuckle height reaches
- design job to reduce hand forces and repetition
Admin control examples
- job enlargement
- job rotation
- proper training
- implement breaks
