Understanding Musculoskeletal Disorders: Risk Factors Resulting from Work Tasks

Posted February 25, 2022

The goal in ergonomics is to eliminate discomfort and protect from bodily harm while performing work tasks. When we think of ergonomic devices that will offer such protection, we may think of adjustable lifts and multi-axis work positioning devices. Such devices are excellent examples of common ergonomic technology used in the modern workplace today, that offer work positioning flexibility and protect against “Musculoskeletal Disorders.” (MSD).

What Are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)?

MSDs are injuries or disorders that affect the human body’s musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is any part of the human body involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.

Some very common examples of musculoskeletal disorders are:

Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors

The risk factors for developing an MSD fall into three basic categories:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tendonitis
Muscle / Tendon strain
Ligament Sprain
Tension Neck Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Compression
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Epicondylitis

Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Digital Neuritis
Trigger Finger / Thumb
DeQuervain’s Syndrome
Mechanical Back Syndrome
Degenerative Disc Disease
Ruptured / Herniated Disc

High Repetitions – Many work cycles are repetitive and are often driven by production goals. High task repetition, when combined with other risk factors such as excessive force or awkward postures, can contribute to the formation of MSDs.

Forceful Exertions – Many work activities require large force on the human body. Muscle tension increases in response to high force demands, increasing the associated fatigue that can lead to MSD.

Repetitive or Sustained Awkward Postures – Awkward postures place excessive force on joints and overloads the muscles and tendons around the affected joint. Joints of the body are most efficient when they operate closest to the mid-range motion of the joint. The risk of developing an MSD is increased when joints are worked outside of this mid-range repetitively or for sustained periods without adequate recovery time.

Besides these general risk factors, there are individually based risk factors. Some examples are:

Poor Health (nutrition, fitness, etc.) – A poor level of physical fitness may be reflected in not being able to climb one flight of stairs without being out of breath. Workers who smoke, drink excessively, are obese, or exhibit numerous other poor health habits are putting themselves at risk for chronic diseases but also for MSDs.

Poor Work Practices – Workers who use poor work practices, body mechanics, or lifting techniques, introduce unnecessary strain or fatigue on their body that can contribute to MSDs.

Poor Rest and Recovery Periods – Workers who do not receive individual adequate rest and recuperation are at greater risk to develop MSDs.

Conclusion

Today there are a broad range of ergonomic solutions to minimize the potential factors for developing an MSD. Ergonomically engineered solutions developed by Ergotronix will mitigate many of these risk factors in your workplace. When you think of ergonomics, think Ergotronix, as they can help you find a solution for your workplace problems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which body parts are most affected in manufacturing?

The lower back, shoulders, and wrists, in that general order for handling-intensive work. Lower back problems trace to lifting and bending, shoulders to overhead and extended reach, and wrists to grip force combined with repetition.

Can a musculoskeletal disorder develop without a specific injury event?

Yes, and that is the usual pattern. Repeated loading below the threshold that would cause immediate harm accumulates damage over weeks or months. This is why asking an employee what they were doing when it happened often produces a misleadingly trivial answer.

How do you tell a work-related MSD from a general health issue?

By looking at the pattern rather than the symptom. Symptoms that worsen through a shift and improve over a weekend or a holiday, and that cluster among people doing the same task, point to work as a contributing factor. A trained professional should make the determination.

Do MSD risk factors combine or act separately?

They combine, and the combination matters more than any single factor. Force alone, awkward posture alone, and repetition alone each carry moderate risk. Together they multiply, which is why a moderate load lifted repeatedly from a bad height is more dangerous than a heavy load lifted once.

Which risk factor is easiest to remove with equipment?

Awkward posture, because equipment can bring the work to a good height and angle directly. Force is next, since the equipment carries the load. Repetition is hardest, because it is usually set by production rate rather than by task design.

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