Employees often can not choose and are forced to adapt to poorly designed work conditions that can seriously injure the hands, wrists, joints, back or other parts of the body. In particular, injuries can occur due to:
- the repeated use over time vibrating tools and equipment, such as hammers;
- tools and tasks that require turning the hand movements of the joints, for example the work performed by many mechanics;
- the application of force in an awkward position;
- applying excessive pressure on parts of the hand, back, wrists or joints;
- work with arms outstretched or overhead;
- work lying ahead;
- lifting or pushing heavy loads.
Usually, the lesions develop slowly
Injuries and illnesses caused by workplace tools and poorly designed or inappropriate usually develop slowly over months or years. However, a worker will usually signs and symptoms for a long time to indicate that something is wrong. For example, the worker will be uncomfortable while performing their work or feel pain in muscles or joints when you get home after work. You can also have small twitches for some time. It is important to investigate the problems of this type because it can start with a mere inconvenience may result in some cases disabling injuries or illnesses that seriously.
Table 1 on the next page describes some of the most common injuries and illnesses caused by repetitive work or ill-conceived. Workers should receive information on injuries and diseases associated with failure to ergonomic principles so that they know what symptoms to look for and if those symptoms may be related to the work they do.
Table 1
|
INJURY |
SYMPTOMS |
TYPICAL CAUSES |
|
Bursitis: Inflammation of the cavity between the skin and bone or bone and tendon. May occur in the knee, elbow or shoulder. |
Swelling at the site of injury. |
Kneeling, put pressure on the elbow or repetitive movements of the shoulders. |
|
Cellulitis: infection of the palm as a result of repeated friction. |
Pain and swelling in the palm of your hand. |
Using hand tools such as hammers and shovels, along with dust and dirt abrasion. |
|
Tense neck or shoulder, swelling of the neck and the muscles and tendons of the shoulders. |
Pain in the neck or shoulders. |
Having to maintain a rigid posture. |
|
Toe Seam: inflammation of the tendons and / or tendon sheaths of the fingers. |
Inability to move the fingers freely, with or without pain. |
Repetitive movements. Having to grab things for too long, too hard or too often. |
|
Epicondylitis: inflammation of the area who join the bone and tendon. It is called “tennis elbow” when it happens at the elbow. |
Pain and swelling at the site of injury. |
Repetitive tasks, often in stressful jobs such as carpentry, plastering and bricklaying. |
|
Lymph: a cyst in a joint or tendon sheath. Normally, in the back of the hand or wrist. |
Hard swelling, small and round, usually painless. |
Repetitive hand movements. |
|
Osteoarthritis: joint injury that causes scarring of the joint and the bone to grow too much. |
Stiffness and pain in the spine and neck and other joints. |
Overloaded for a long time the spine and other joints. |
|
Carpal tunnel syndrome bilateral: pressure on the nerves that are transmitted to the wrist. |
Tingling, pain and numbness of the thumb and other fingers, especially at night. |
Repetitive work with the wrist bent. Using vibrating tools. Sometimes it is followed by tenosynovitis (see below). |
|
Tendinitis: Inflammation of the area that join the muscle and tendon. |
Pain, swelling, tenderness and redness of the hand, wrist and / or forearm. Difficulty using hands. |
Repetitive movements. |
|
Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the tendons and / or tendon sheaths. |
Pain, tenderness, swelling, severe pain and difficulty using his hand. |
Repetitive movements, often not exhausting. Can provoke a sudden increase in workload or the introduction of new working procedures. |
Repetitive work is a common cause of injuries and musculoskeletal system diseases (and related to stress). Injuries caused by repetitive work are generally called repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). They are very painful and can disable it permanently. In the early stages of RSI, a worker can feel only pain and fatigue at the end of shift. However, according worse, may suffer great pain and weakness in the affected body area. This situation can become permanent and progress to a point where the worker is unable to play and their tasks. RSI can be avoided:
- eliminating the risk factors of work tasks;
- slowing the pace of work;
- moving workers to other tasks or repetitive alternating with non-repetitive tasks at regular intervals;
- increasing the number of breaks in a repetitive task.
In some industrialized countries, are often treated with surgery RSI. But it is important to remember that the same deal with a problem to be avoided before it occurs. Prevention should be the first goal, especially because the surgery to remedy the LER give bad results and, if the worker returns to perform the same task that caused the problem, in many cases the symptoms reappear, even after the intervention.
Injuries are costly
Injuries to workers caused by tools or poorly designed jobs can be very costly in terms of pain and suffering they cause, not to mention the financial loss to workers and their families. Injuries are also costly to employers. Carefully design a task from the beginning, or redesign, can cost an employer initially some money, but in the long term, usually the employer benefit financially. The quality and efficiency of the work being done can be improved. Can reduce health care costs and improve worker morale. As for the workers, the benefits are obvious. The application of ergonomic principles can prevent injuries or illnesses that can be painful and disabling and make work more comfortable and therefore easier to perform.
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Points to remember about common injuries and illnesses |
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