One key factor often ignored when considering workplace safety is ergonomics. Granted, the carpel tunnel syndrome has brought the issue of ergonomics in desk bound jobs, but how about in the shop floor.
According to Lidia T Petersen, three basic principles are important when considering workplace, as in shop floor, safety. They are:
1.When lifting, the largest muscles in the area should perform the task. The larger the muscle or muscle group used for lifting, the lower the stress placed on smaller, more vulnerable muscles.
2.During any work activities, people should be able to comfortably assume a number of different postures and not remain in one position for an extended time. Muscles will fatigue and be more prone to injury when assuming a particular posture, especially a poor one (e.g., partially bent forward at the waist).
3.When performing tasks, it is important to keep the joints either in their neutral posture or approximately halfway into the range of motion. Working with your joints at the extremes of their ranges of motion for prolonged period's places abnormal stresses on them and can cause repetitive stress injuries.
