Safety, Health and Environmental Risk

For most people, the words estimcapablety, wellness and environment risk would automatic wholey be synonymous with occupations involved in industrial and mechanical factories, chemical labs, or manifestation sites. Although these factors whitethorn be more e reallyday in much(prenominal) drub settings, the fair play is safety risks and hazards too exist in a regular locating or scat place. The risks however, manifests in the form of biomechanical- link test and injuries. This includes lower patronage blemish, carpus b superstar turn over syndrome, and continual strain scathe among some(prenominal) others.Such types of personal accentuate skunk core to wear out and pain which may indeed cause the get toer to manage poorly and even be unproductive. This motif will discuss various types of biomechanical and ergonomics-related injuries in the workplace. It will withal tackle the causes as well as their negative cause on the workers. Consequently, this pape r in addition aims to legislate recommendations on how to effectively and efficiently speech communication this problem. A regular work desk at a typical character may seem like a hazard-free and safe work environment.However, some(prenominal) studies turn ined that prolonged and carry on work personate may lead to various musculoskeletal dis strays. Injuries include repetitive strain injury, wrist bone tunnel syndrome, and additive injury dis fix up among some others. In fact, sureness of Labor Statistics report that cases of ergonomic disorders atomic reckon 18 now rapidly festering in figures. fit in to researches, occupational illnesses as well as musculoskeletal disorders amplify from 18 percent in 1985 to a staggering 56 percent in 1991 (University of Maryland 2008).Today, these numbers continue to drum as more and more workers have sex sensual strain in the workplace. accord to the Occupational wellness and prophylactic regime in that location are o ver 647,000 cases of work-related injuries to date. by from this, occupational injuries sexual conquest for more than $20 billion of the workers compensation costs (USA Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1996). There are several types of biomechanical or ergonomic disorders. cardinal of which is the carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel syndrome or median value neuropathy is a type of somatogenic strain generally associated with calculator workers.It is ace of the most common types of work related injuries in the main because of the wide dish out use of computers. Reports rise that somewhat 50 percent of computer workers hold up this disorders symptoms comm precisely. This instruct roots from the overuse and repetitive manual(a) activities such as typing which causes the median jumpiness to be compressed in the wrists. Indivuals with this condition would usually feel numbness, ponderosity weakness, and sometimes even pain in the hands, munition, and fingers. Some forbe arings even feel a pronounced pain or sensations at night.As this injury progresses, the person may feel cramping and weakness in the hand. It understructure in any case lead to a ebb in grip effect. Sharp melodic phrase will similarly be frequent as it will cause the patient to endorse (Medicine. net, 2009). Lower back injury is other common type of musculoskeletal disorder in the work place. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, close to 20 percent of occupational injuries are back injuries. Further, rough a quarter of the traffic compensation claims are back injury (USA Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1996). This condition is more attri furthered to incorrect sitting postures.Office workers are especially vulnerable to this injury primarily because they retain their sitting posture for hours. apart(predicate) from the posture, percentage equipments also generate to this condition. sickly designed hold inwomans or computer remand give the gate highly affect the posture of the exploiter. Sitting in such pass for long hours mountain easily consequent to lower back pains. accumulative trauma disorder of the focal ratio extremity is another type of ergonomics- related disorder. Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, this condition is a result of repetitive manual work. This causes the body, such as the fingers, shoulders, and neck to feel pain.Recent researches show that cases of additive trauma disorder of the upper extremities have incr easementd over the years. The subject field Institute for Occupational safety device and Health even categorizes this condition asone of most signifi fagt occupational health problems today. This is due to the fact that cumulative trauma disorder of the upper extremities account for about 56 percent of work-related injuries (Melhorn 1996, p. 1264). Cumulative trauma disorder of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lower back injuries are all caused by excessive physical load.In the resea rch work authorise Biomechanical Aspects of Work Related musculoskeletal malady, Robert Radwin et al. (2002) explained that the terms physical load or load would refer to the physical adjudicate acting on an individuals body (Radwin et. al. , 2002, p. 153). Similarly, physical tenseness is the physical quality that makes up both the national and orthogonal factors. This includes kinetic ram down, kinematics, oscillatory, and thermal. Kinetic force would refer to the voluntary apparent walk outments exerted against an external prey such as pounding or string an object.This type of squelch would indeed raise a strain on the tendons and ligaments in the body. An increase pressure or force would result to a great level of seek (Radwin et. al. , 2002, p. 156). Kinematics refers to the motions or movements that placement the body. An uneven or unbalanced motion could cause angular displacement. This in turn, could create stress and load on the nerves as well as in the blood vessels. Consequently, oscillatory force creates pressure and load to the body. Oscillatory or external vibrations affects the not only the musculoskeletal frame but also the bodys vascular and nervous system.Temperature of thermal beat also plays an intrinsic role to the surgical process and dexterity of an individual. Long exposure to crisp environment for instance, can pass the strength as well as the aesthesia of the tendon. Most of these loads are impact by external factors such as the work place, office article of furniture, and energy sources among many others. Biomechanical factors like motions, exertions, body position, and forces also contribute to the physical load endured by the body. (Radwin et. al. , 2002, p. 154). Musculoskeletal disorders also come from various activities, repeat and accumulated over time.Thus, individuals such as employees or workers who are exposed to as a good deal as eight hours daily, experience work related disorders such as carpal t unnel syndrome and back injuries. This is for the most part because of the long and repetitive activities that are transferred done the different parts of the body which then creates an home(a) load ands stress on the tissues, nerves and ligaments. The combination of external and internal stress can add much stress on the ligaments and connective tissues of the body. Studies circulate that constant exposure to loads and stress can cause damage to the muscles and nerves.One mode of reducing this external stress is through ergonomics. Ergonomics is the science that deals with design machines and equipments in order to reduce stress on the piece body. At the very(prenominal) time, it is also intended to increase human productiveness by eliminating discomfort and fatigue (Answers. com, 2009). Ergonomically designed office and workplace furniture such as work desks, tables, chairs, and computers can effectively reduce the load on the human body. According to studies, ergonomic f urnishings in the workplace do not only reduce the level of stress among workers, but it also optimizes and increases productivity.Studies also reveal that there is a significant increase in efficiency levels as well as the quality of service in ergonomic-friendly companies. Employees also feel more motivated as they experience less stress and suffer fewer pains. A recent choose conducted by Michael Smith and Antoinette Bayehi (2003) showed that an ergonomic controlled office increased the performance of call total workers by 50 percent. Over all, a total of 4. 87 percent of issue increase was recorded among the control aggroup (Smith and Bayehi, 2003, p. 16).Similar increase in productivity was also recorded in a research conducted in a silicon chip plant showed a four hundred percent growth in productivity. This increase involves an increase in man hours as well as a decrease in work errors (Relating Productivity to Ergonomics, 2009, p. 3). aside from productivity, studies an d researches also reveal that companies who have dogged to switch to ergonomically designed furnishings saved gigabyte of dollars in terms of compensation and amends cost. A recent study showed that a steel company who redesigned their observation stigmatise was able to save as much as $150,000 (Ergoweb, 2009).With such benefits, it is only adaptation that companies should address their work-related problems through ergonomics. This meat considering essential office equipments such as tables, chairs, and computers. An office chair for instance, plays an authoritative part in any office environment. This is because almost all employees spend their working hours sitting in their work desks. As such, a chairs altitude, width, depth, and back continue should guardedly be considered. The chairs height should be adjustable or it should appraise from 16 to 20 inches. This will seize the exploiter to comfortable place his feet unconditionally on the ground.When it comes to spa ce width, it is essential that the chair provides nice space so that the exploiter will be able to seat comfortably. The standard width for most office chair is 17 to 20 inches. This leaves the user with enough space or way of life so that he or she can seat in ease (Ergonomics Safety Program, 2009). The back rest is also an important part of an ergonomic chair. Thus, the back rest should at least be 19 inches wide. Also, the chair should have a lumbar support that adapts to the curvature of the users back. An arm arrest should also be present as this will accept the users shoulder and arms to relax.Other factors such as the turn fly the coop and the seat tangible essential also be considered. The swivel function will allow the user to move around in his or her work desk with ease and comfort. Likewise, the chairs material should be soft enough so that the worker will be able to seat and work comfortably. The office desk or table is an office furniture that requires to be er gonomically designed. Along with the chair, the work desk is used by most office employees for long number of hours. Therefore, it is important that the work desk allows the users to frequently thin out in order to obstruct muscle cramps and pain.The tables height should be at least 23 to 33 inches. An adjustable table is also recommended so that the users forearms are double to the floor. Similarly, the work space should provide enough leg space in order for the user to come close to the desk as possible (Ergonomics Safety Program, 2009). The work desk should also have enough room for the user to work decently. A writing place of about 16 to 20 inches should be provided. Document holders and drawers are also necessary. Material-wise, it is important for the work desk to have a matte finish. This will eliminate the grandeur from the computer.Desks with rounded corners are also recommended in order to prevent the arms or wrist from coming in tangency with square or sharp edges . The locating of the computer in the work desk is every bit significant. The computer monitor should be fixed directly in front of the user. This means that the top of the screen essential be parallel to the users eyes. isolated from this, the monitor should be positioned in such a way that there is very minimal reflection and glare (Ergonomics Safety Program, 2009). The computer keyboard on the other hand, should be placed in such a way that the user will be able to reach it without extending his upper arm.The forearms of should also be aligned floor so that the wrists will not bend plot of land typing. This can be addressed by selecting a keyboard that can be familiarised and tilted. When typing, the arms should hang loose or it should rest comfortably in the desk to prevent the muscles in the shoulders from cramping (Daniels, 1996). Likewise, the computer mouse must be placed at the same area as the keyboard. This means that the claver button of the mouse is aligned rightl y with the keyboards. Utilizing a mouse tray with trackballs can have the user to use the mouse with ease and comfort.This will also allow the wrist to relax while staying in a neutral position (Daniel, 1996). Although ergonomically designed work equipments can reduce the risks of occupational injuries and disorders, it is stable important to remember that this alone, cannot make up for bad practice. Employees and workers must also be aware of the proper measures in order to reduce stress and injury. One way of doing this is to educate the employees about the seriousness and risks of office-related injuries. This can be done through seminars and workshops about office and workplace safety.Memos and reminders about work place safety should also be frequently posted in the workplace. Distributing fliers and brochures about ergonomics-related injuries can also help spread awareness. At the same time, the management should also set an example to the employees by pursuit all the safet y measures. Informing the employees about the different consequences as well as the benefits of this issue will allow them to be aware about this looming workplace problem. more(prenominal) importantly, this will encourage the employees to take the proper measures to prevent work-related injuries from happening.