Workplace Health and Safety & Ergonomics
Workplace safety and the health risks a job presents to workers are important considerations for all workers and employers. Ergonomics is the science of "making things fit people instead of asking people to fit things," according to Medicine Net. In other words, effective ergonomics allows workers to do tasks in ways that do not subject them to health or safety hazards.
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Function
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Ergonomists study the demands of work on the human body, and design and implement tools, work stations and procedures to allow workers to do their jobs safely. For instance, a factory job might require a worker to move a cart that weighs several hundred pounds. Pushing the cart by hand could put the worker at risk of injury, so out of ergonomic concern, the factory might require the worker to use a motorized device or forklift to move the cart.
Potential
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Ergonomics is an important consideration for health and safety in almost every workplace. Even though jobs that involve manual labor may have greater ergonomic concerns than others, simply sitting at a computer for several hours using poor posture or in a chair without proper back support can be potentially unhealthy. Workers should be aware of the physical demands of their jobs and how to overcome them without incurring soreness, pain or other problems, no matter how mundane the physical demands seem to be.
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Benefits
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Performing tasks in an ergonomically efficient manner can help prevent damage to muscles and the skeleton. For instance, if a worker attempts to lift something off the floor by using bad technique, he might strain his back. This could create a lasting health problem and interfere with his ability to work. Ergonomics can also improve worker efficiency. For instance, if a worker exerts unusual effort during a task, he might tire out quickly and work the rest of his shift more slowly than he would if he performs the task in a way that requires less exertion.
Training
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Workers may not always be aware of tasks that present safety concerns. They should be trained to perform their duties in ways that prevent stress to their bodies. Workers also should be educated about tasks that could present a safety hazard if performed incorrectly.
Considerations
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If you feel inexplicable pain or soreness in your body during or after performing physical work, it could be caused by improper ergonomics. Consult your supervisor and any safety staff at your workplace for assistance to resolve your problem. Working through pain can exacerbate damage; if a task causes pain, stop doing it and seek a solution.
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