Your Overall Course Progress

Ergonomics Overview

The following section is based on information from the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

---

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker’s risk of injury.

Work-related MSDs can be prevented. Ergonomics — fitting a job to a person — helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity, and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

Examples of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendinitis
• Rotator cuff injuries (affects the shoulder)
• Epicondylitis (affects the elbow)
• Trigger finger
• Muscle strains and low back injuries

Impact of MSDs in the Workplace

• Work related MSDs are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2013, MSD¹ cases accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases.

Review

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons.

A Process for Protecting Workers

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. In the workplace, the number and severity of MSDs resulting from physical overexertion, and their associated costs, can be substantially reduced by applying ergonomic principles.

Implementing an ergonomic process is effective in reducing the risk of developing MSDs in high-risk industries as diverse as construction, food processing, firefighting, office jobs, healthcare, transportation, and warehousing. The following are important elements of an ergonomic process:

• Provide Management Support – A strong commitment by management is critical to the overall success of an ergonomic process. Management should define clear goals and objectives for the ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
• Involve Workers – A participatory ergonomic approach, where workers are directly involved in worksite assessments, solution development and implementation is the essence of a successful ergonomic process. Workers can:
  • Identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces.
  • Assist in the ergonomic process by voicing their concerns and suggestions for reducing exposure to risk factors and by evaluating the changes made as a result of an ergonomic assessment.
• Provide Training – Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics related concerns in the workplace, and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of MSDs.
• Identify Problems – An important step in the ergonomic process is to identify and assess ergonomic problems in the workplace before they result in MSDs.
• Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms – Early reporting can accelerate the job assessment and improvement process, helping to prevent or reduce the progression of symptoms, the development of serious injuries, and subsequent lost-time claims.
• Implement Solutions to Control Hazards – There are many possible solutions that can be implemented to reduce, control or eliminate workplace MSDs.
• Evaluate Progress – Established evaluation and corrective action procedures are required to periodically assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process and to ensure its continuous improvement and long-term success. As an ergonomic process is first developing, assessments should include determining whether goals set for the ergonomic process have been met and determining the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions.

Note: An ergonomic process uses the principles of a safety and health program to address MSD hazards. Such a process should be viewed as an ongoing function that is incorporated into the daily operations, rather than as an individual project.

Identify Ergonomic Problems

The following section is based on information from the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

---

An important part of the ergonomic process is a periodic review of the facility, specific workstation designs and work practices, and the overall production process, from an ergonomics perspective. This includes identifying existing problems, which can be obtained from reviewing the company’s OSHA 300 injury and illness logs, 301 reports, workers’ compensation records, and worker reports of problems. However, a more forward-looking approach, to be used in combination with reviewing injury and illness records, is to be proactive in identifying potential ergonomic issues that have gone unnoticed or resulted from facility changes, before they result in MSDs. Observations of workplace conditions and work processes, ergonomic job analyses, workplace surveys, and worker interviews are common proactive methods for identifying ergonomics-related injury risks.

Review Injury Records

Looking at your injury and illness data will help identify ergonomic problems. These data can be obtained from reviewing the company’s OSHA 300 Injury and Illness Logs, 301 reports, workers’ compensation records, first aid logs, accident and near-miss investigation reports, insurance company reports, and worker reports of problems.

Observe Workplace Conditions

By looking critically at your workplace operations, you can identify risk factors and eliminate or control them as early as possible.

Risk Factors

The risk of MSD injury depends on work positions and postures, how often the task is performed, the level of required effort, and how long the task lasts. Risk factors that may lead to the development of MSDs include:

• Exerting excessive force. Examples include lifting heavy objects or people, pushing or pulling heavy loads, manually pouring materials, or maintaining control of equipment or tools.
• Performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Performing the same motion or series of motions continually or frequently for an extended period of time.
• Working in awkward postures or being in the same posture for long periods of time. Using positions that place stress on the body, such as prolonged or repetitive reaching above shoulder height, kneeling, squatting, leaning over a counter, using a knife with wrists bent, or twisting the torso while lifting.
• Localized pressure into the body part. Pressing the body or part of the body (such as the hand) against hard or sharp edges, or using the hand as a hammer.
• Cold temperatures. In combination with any one of the above risk factors may also increase the potential for MSDs to develop. For example, many of the operations in meatpacking and poultry processing occur with a chilled product or in a cold environment.
• Vibration. Both whole body and hand-arm, can cause a number of health effects. Hand-arm vibration can damage small capillaries that supply nutrients and can make hand tools more difficult to control. Hand-arm vibration may cause a worker to lose feeling in the hands and arms resulting in increased force exertion to control hand-powered tools (e.g. hammer drills, portable grinders, chainsaws) in much the same way gloves limit feeling in the hands. The effects of vibration can damage the body and greatly increase the force which must be exerted for a task.
• Combined exposure to several risk factors. May place workers at a higher risk for MSDs than does exposure to any one risk factor.

In addition, observe whether workers are:

• Modifying their tools, equipment or work area
• Shaking their arms and hands
• Rolling their shoulders
• Bringing products such as back belts or wrist braces into the workplace

These behaviors can mean that workers are experiencing ergonomic issues. Talk with them and review their work to see if any risk factors for MSDs are present. Workers can identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces. Their opinions and suggestions for change also are valuable.

Once problem jobs are identified, conducting an in-depth ergonomic job analysis can help identify solutions to prevent MSDs. An ergonomic job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment.

Review

Some of the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders are:

– Vibration

– Exerting excessive force

– Working in awkward postures

Encouraging and Utilizing Early Reports of Injury

Comprehensive injury reporting is important to the success of an ergonomic process. The goal of this effort is to properly assess, diagnose, and treat MSDs. Early reporting, diagnosis, and intervention can limit injury severity, improve the effectiveness of treatment, minimize the likelihood of disability or permanent damage, and reduce workers’ compensation claims. This will allow the employer to correctly identify work areas or specific tasks where injuries frequently occur or are most severe. This information helps direct the activities of the ergonomic team as well as to guide healthcare providers in making return-to-work and light-duty work decisions. OSHA’s injury and illness recording and reporting regulation (29 CFR Part 1904) require employers to record and report work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.

Encouraging and utilizing reports of MSD symptoms:

• Reinforces worker training on recognizing MSD symptoms.
• Encourages early reporting of MSD symptoms.
• Allows for prompt medical evaluations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
• Reduces injury severity, the number of workers’ compensation claims and associated costs and the likelihood of permanent disability.
• Provides guidance on return-to-work and work placement restrictions during the healing process.
• Guides job modifications.
• Provides a mechanism to track and trend MSD injuries.
• Enables assessment of the effectiveness of work changes.

Healthcare professionals are important ergonomic team members. They help injured workers recover more quickly and return to their jobs with appropriate restrictions and less risk for re-injury. These professionals must be knowledgeable about the operations and work practices within the specific industry. Their knowledge will allow them to assist the injured worker during the healing process and in post-injury work placement.

Muscle and Joint Problems from Awkward Postures and Repetitive Motions

The following section is based on information from the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

---

Leaning over a work table for a long time; repetitive movements like filing and buffing nails; and resting hands, wrists, and forearms and/or elbows against hard surfaces or sharp edges of work tables are common causes of injury to workers’ muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. These common causes are often called ergonomic hazards and can lead to aches and pains that workers may feel while at work or home. Ergonomics is the study of the work environment to make work more comfortable and efficient. Good ergonomic practices can reduce stress on the body and avoid hazards that may cause aches and pains.

Steps to Reduce Ergonomic Hazards

• Use an adjustable chair that gives proper back support and can be raised and lowered. Position the body so that feet stay flat on the floor and use a footrest if needed.
• Make sure that there is enough space between the back of the knees and the front edge of the seat to help ensure proper blood flow to the legs.
• Adjust the lighting to see without bending over a work table.
• Raise and position the client’s hand or foot to avoid bending over.
• Avoid resting hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows against hard and/or sharp edges of work tables.
• Put a towel or foam pad on the work table edge for a softer surface for the arms.
• Put soft pads on tool handles to make them larger and easier to hold.
• Take frequent breaks if possible. Changing positions and doing a different task is also helpful.
• Pace the work. When working too fast, the body can become tense, which could cause muscle pain.
• Do gentle stretching exercises in between sessions with clients to relax and give muscles and joints a chance to move

Review

Examples of ergonomic hazards include:

– Performing the same or similar tasks repetitively

– Bending and/or reaching overhead

– Working in awkward body postures

Criteria for an Effective Workplace Stretching Program

This section is based on modified content from the American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2017, 5(2), 27-37. DOI: 10.12691/ajssm-5-2-3 that is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license. The content is presented here under the same license.

---

Stretching is a form of physical activity in which a specific skeletal muscle mass is deliberately elongated to its fullest length to be able to improve the muscle’s felt flexibility. Benefits of stretching may include improved flexibility, improved range of motion inside joints, improved circulation, increased posture, and stress relief. It is generally believed that stretching before or after physical activity can decrease the chance of a strain or twist injury by increasing the flexibility of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which in turn increases the mobility in a joint or the number of joints. Advocates of workplace stretching programs claim that these types of programs have reduced and prevented sprain and stress injuries. While these reviews are frequently published in journals, they typically depend on uncontrolled and quasi-experimental in-house evaluations that rely on self-reported outcomes rather than objective methods.

According to several researchers, the following are criteria for an effective stretching program at the workplace.

• Warm up for five minutes before stretching.
• Exercises should be tailored to commonly performed job duties.
• Stretch regularly: a minimum of two-three days/week.
• Perform stretches correctly.
• Hold stretch 15–30 seconds.
• Two-three repetitions per muscle group.

A person can use a band or towel, which helps move the hand while performing the exercises. Moreover, a suitable exercise should be chosen that’s appropriate for the person’s occupation. Can you come up with a stretching plan for your shop? Here are examples to get you started.

Stretching Examples

Takeaways

This study explored the latest research literature on workplace stretching programs and their influence on reducing work-related MSDs in various occupational groups. While this study supports the finding that stretching improves flexibility/ROM and personal value, stretching alone may not prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Some studies also suggested that weight training, conditioning, and warm-up play an important role in preventing work-related MSDs. It should be noted that work-related MSDs are costly to organizations, and also cause employee working errors that result in low quality of work and decreased operational productivity. Overall, the present study illustrated a few favorable outcomes of stretching exercise programs in several occupations, but it is controversial to accomplish a definite response about the exploitation of stretching in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and accidental injuries.

Review

Criteria for an effective stretching program at workplace include:

– Warm-up for five minutes prior to stretching.

– Stretch regularly: a minimum of two–three days/week.

– Perform stretches correctly.

Ergonomics in the Workplace

The following section is copyrighted by QuickandEasyCE LLC

Cutting hair includes the risk of getting musculoskeletal disorders also known as MSDs. The reason for these disorders can range anywhere from being in uncomfortable positions, static loading,  repetition, and even high customer turnover. A hand surgeon came out in 2000 said that workers who cut hair who have been in practice for anywhere between 5-10 years often complain about extreme pain in their hands. The upper hand is usually the specific area of complaint, but can include the wrists and shoulder as well. These sorts of issues can almost always be attributed to the kind of equipment that is used by these workers. However, sometimes, a portion of the cause can also be because of the personal technique and style of the worker, i.e. how they do what they do.

Typical Posture Issues

• Flexing the shoulder muscles excessively along with shoulder abduction is often the result of working with the elbow or working with a greater shoulder height. Working in these conditions often causes a shoulder condition called thoracic outlet syndrome or TOS. These may also be a reason why some develop hand and wrist disorders known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS. 
• In some cases, it is noticed that the worker has to bend forward a lot of times also known as trunk flexion in case a chair is not of the proper height while working with a client. 
• Another type of flexion is at the neck, and excessive neck flexion is considered when it is at more than a 20-degree angle. 
• Wrist deviation using scissors or hand shears. Awkward wrist postures include radial deviation (to the thumb side) and ulnar deviation (to the little finger side), extension (wrist bent up), flexion (wrist bent down), pronation (palm down), and supination (palm up). 

However, innovations are always being made to reduce the risk of getting these disorders. Specifically, in shear designs. One such design is called the crane grip or crane shears which works phenomenally in straightening the wrist and changing one’s elbow position to a rather neutral position from a near shoulder height, which is considered to be unhealthy for workers. It also benefits the thumb and the fingers as it reduces thumb travel by 30% and gives one’s fingers and thumb a more open position to work in. This all adds up to the biggest design change since the 1900s and is rather a big deal!

Review

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, and ligaments.

Other considerations for reducing the risk of MSDs include:

• Chair Adjustment: This requires the worker to position their client’s chair so that it is slightly above their waist. Adjusting or positioning a chair in such a way will reduce trunk flexion and neck flexion. This allows the worker’s hand to be in a more neutral zone while working on a client’s hair which reduces the risk of developing any kinds of pain and numbness afterward. 
• Technique: Unlike other occupations, the position in which you work matters a lot when you cut hair. The standard way to cut someone’s hair is to take some of their hair in between the fingers of your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to style the hair. However, this kind of positioning results in excessive neck flexion, wrist deviation, and shoulder abduction that causes pain and discomfort after. A way to possibly dodge this is to use a comb while grasp, measure, and hold your client’s hair. Another vital thing to note here is to position the comb from below rather than above which is done in the standard technique. This will make a neutral zone for one’s arms and hands thus reducing the risk of muscle pain. 
• Sharpen the Shears: It is important to sharpen your shears regularly as it comes with multiple benefits. Not only will it reduce friction which will allow one to cut their client’s hair with less force but also give one’s client a smoother and cleaner haircut overall. So sharpen those shears!
• Static Loading: Static Loading can be defined as the holding posture of the worker in which there is little to no gross movement. Static loading can be in both a neutral and a non-neutral zone. If scheduling allows, one must engage in other tasks like sweeping, folding towels, stocking, getting ready for the next client, etc to avoid standing in one place for too long. This allows one to move around and creates gross movement. Standing for long stretches on a hard surface is a form of static loading, one can change this by installing anti-fatigue matting. However, if that is not possible in one’s place of work, another remedy could be installing shoe insoles to reduce the fatigue that is caused by standing on hard surfaces. 

Review

Ways to reduce the risk of include:

– Static loading

– Adjusting chairs to proper heights

– Keeping tools in good working condition

Warm-up and Stretch

It does no matter what field one works in when it comes to taking regular breaks and intervals in between hectic tasks, it is universal throughout every occupation. It is essential that one gets up and gives their body some movement and relaxation. A common misconception when it comes to stretching and warming up is that one needs a large space to relax their muscle; however, time and again, that has been proven to not be true.  A small break to relax and stretch your body can be taken anytime, anywhere. It is important to note that some individuals might be predisposed to genetic tightness in their muscles, stretching can still provide some relief in these conditions. Even getting up to stretch your muscles after sitting for a long period has many benefits like improving circulation, allows the exchange of nutrients between the discs and surrounding tissue, plus compensates for being in a static posture. 

There are many reasons as to why one must stretch regularly between working. However, the three main benefits of stretching are as follows: 

1. Warm-up or preparing for activity
2. Movement or change of posture to get fuel (oxygen) to the muscles
3. Balance—or counter-posture—to compensate for a statically-held posture

Types of Beneficial movement 

• Warm-up or Preparation: Warm-up or preparation before the workout is often thought of as calisthenics in the gym. However, warm-ups are essential before partaking in any kind of workout that requires a lot of strength and power. A warm-up relaxes your muscles and improves circulation which is essential right before a workout to avoid any strain later.  Warm-ups or preparation become even more essential in cold settings. The objective of a warm-up is to improved circulation in different parts of the body including the upper body, the trunk, and the lower body. Some examples of a warm-up are jumping jacks, marching in one place, doing arm circles, etc.  Doing a warm-up will improve circulation throughout the body which will relax muscles and loosen joints and make them ready for a workout. 
• Relieving Muscle Tension: The goal of stretching and warming-up is to give your muscles some time to relax after the strain that has been caused to them during a workday. Muscles are often overstretched, overworked, or are in an awkward and uncomfortable position throughout the day, and stretching regularly helps relieve some of the muscle tension that has been built up. Stretching regularly after some time helps the muscle to come back to their original state and gives them balance. For example, if the task requires bending forward for long periods, stand up and gently arch backward at the waist. If the task requires long periods of static sitting, s-l-o-w-l-y roll the shoulders backward and gently bring the shoulder blades together. This moves the shoulders and chest out of the hunched-over posture frequently seen in people who sit at their workstations for extended periods.

When to warm-up 

• Usually warming up before any strenuous physical activity at home, work, or in the field is beneficial. 

When to Stretch 

• Stretch before and after any physical activity at work, home, or play.
• Stretch at various times throughout the day:
• In the morning, after being in one position for a while such as sitting, standing, or bending
• Periodically during the workday between work and times where you have been sitting for long periods.
• When the muscles and joints feel stiff after staying in one position for a long time. 

How to stretch

• Stretch s-l-o-w-l-y and gradually, putting a constant stretch on the muscle.
• Don’t bounce, it is not a form of stretching and does not loosen joints. 
• Tension, not pain, should be felt in the muscle. However, it is important not to overstretch or pull any muscles. 
• Hold the stretch for 5 to 15 seconds each time while stretching. 
• Keep breathing. Continue to breathe slowly but steadily throughout the stretch. Breathing helps in regulating blood flow. 

Rest Break Benefits

When it comes to musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs feeling fatigued or overworked is an early warning sign that your body gives you both on and off the job. In any type of workplace or office, employees are bound to feel muscle fatigue in the form of muscle cramps or general exhaustion. However, resting for an appropriate amount of time and giving your body the time it needs to recover from a long day of work usually helps with this discomfort. In the book Cumulative Trauma Disorders,  it is stated that fatigue depends on how long a person works and how hard they work. 

We often see that employees working 8-hour shifts usually only take two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute meal break between their work. While these breaks help an employee recover and relax from the long work hours and help in reducing the risk of any MSDs, it is also seen that taking a short break every hour to stretch and relax is proven to be even more beneficial to the workers. 

Reduce the risk of injury and musculoskeletal symptoms

A study of data-entry operators compared a standard rest break schedule to one supplemented with 5-minute rest breaks during each hour that did not otherwise contain a break. The supplementary rest break schedule showed a reduction in eye strain and discomfort to the forearm, wrist, and hand, without a reduction in data-entry performance. The authors completed a follow-up field study that was intended to also measure the benefits of stretching during the rest breaks. The operators that took extra rest breaks were again shown to have reduced discomfort and eyestrain, without a reduction in productivity. The level of compliance with suggested stretches was too low to measure an additional benefit.

A more recent study introduced this supplementary rest break schedule to two agricultural work tasks—harvesting strawberries and grafting fruit trees. The authors reported that for both trials, workers given additional rest breaks reported significantly less severe symptoms. The nursery that participated in the study continued the practice of additional rest breaks after its conclusion, though they reduced the length to 3-minute periods.

Another study—conducted in a meat processing plant—gave workers either twelve 3-minute breaks or four 9-minute breaks, in addition to a meal period, spread evenly over the work shift. The 9-minute rest break schedule showed reductions in discomfort, without a decrease in production. In addition, workers preferred the 9-minute break schedule.

Considerations for additional rest breaks

• What should workers be doing during their rest breaks? One must stretch the parts of the body that has been used or overworked during the working period. Studies have also shown that taking additional rest breaks proves to be beneficial for the worker’s body and even helps in them being more productive. 
• How long should additional rest breaks be?  That depends on the employees and the employer. These two parties must find a balance and see what works best for them when it comes to taking additional rest breaks. One can start with a  5-minute additional rest break and take about 4 of these at regular intervals and work their way up from there. 

Anti-Fatigue Mats

Working in any position for long periods can be draining and damaging to your body but when your work requires you to be on your feet for a long period, it can have even more damaging impacts on your body and your muscles including but not limited to low back pain, circulatory issues in the legs, sore feet, ankles, knees, and hips. 

What is an anti-fatigue mat?

If someone works in a field where the work requires them to stand for a long time on hard surfaces, an anti-fatigue mat could help relieve some of the pain that is caused by standing for long amounts of time. An anti-fatigue mat provides a more cushiony surface for the workers to work on and reduces the risk of getting any injuries mentioned above. It also makes it more comfortable for a worker to work in their space. These mats are available in several different designs and types that cater to different needs.

How to choose an anti-fatigue mat?

Since these mats come in infinite designs and types, it can sometimes be difficult to pick the best one for you and your place of work. However, take a look at the list below to decide which type of mat would be best suited for you. 

• The first question to be asked here is are mats essential for your place of work? These mats work best for people who work standing in one place and for smaller offices or workplaces. If one’s job requires a lot of walking and is a bigger space, it is better to get shoe insoles. These also provide the same function as mats. 
• Another thing to take into consideration is the other types of exposures present in one’s place of work. Is the area wet, oily, or greasy? Is drainage a concern? Are there chemicals present? Is the work in a cleanroom environment? Is static electricity a concern? There are different types of anti-fatigue mats to address these types of workplaces as well. 
• Make sure to choose a mat that is already compatible with the existing cleaning services and products at your place of work.  Take a good look at the housekeeping requirements that are already in place and make a selection keeping those in mind. 
• Do you work with heavy equipment that needs to be moved around a lot? If that is the case then one would need a mat with a surface that is highly resilient and works well with high traffic situations. Beveled edges will create a smooth transition for casters (carts or chairs), and reduce the trip hazard for employees. Safety marking on edges or surfaces is available.

Additional Tips

• Select an Anti-Fatigue mat, not a floor mat with “anti-fatigue properties.”
• Softer is not always better. Too much cushioning means more work for muscles and will lead to increased discomfort. A mat that does not rebound from pressure (e.g. footstep) within a few seconds is either too soft or in need of replacement.
• The ideal thickness is greater than ½ inch, but less than 1 inch.
• As with most products, the price can be a fairly good indicator of quality. Commercial-grade products tend to cost more but are designed for regular, repeated use.
• A longer warranty is also an indicator of quality and durability. Be certain the mat is appropriate for the operation though, as an incorrect placement could void the warranty.
• Narrow the selection to the top two or three choices and then demo those products. Let the employees who will be using the mats provide input on the final decision.
• Remember that mats will wear out and require replacement.
• The floor surface is only one component of a standing workstation. It’s important to pay attention to the other ergonomic factors mentioned already.

Insoles

Several musculoskeletal problems can be attributed to working in fields and spaces that require one to stand in a single spot for a long time with little to no body movement.  Taking up these kinds of jobs in your aging years can cause a plethora of health issues like arthritis of the ankle, toe deformities, plantar fasciitis, and adult acquired flat foot that may even heighten any discomfort at the knees, hips, and low back.  However, the risk of getting these discomforts and minimizing the severity of the disease is achievable by making some adjustments and changes in one’s standing job. 

Many workers in manufacturing, service, hospitality and healthcare industries will typically spend up to 8 or more hours per day standing on hard surfaces for career periods that span 10 to 30 years. With that type of exposure, it is easy to associate symptoms of discomfort with constant exposure to foot pressure at the workplace. Recent research has demonstrated positive benefits from the use of shoe insoles.

What do shoe insoles do?

A shoe insole that is designed and placed properly can provide a cushiony and comfortable surface for people to work on while standing for long hours.  These insoles are designed to provide comfort to specific parts of one’s feet that reduce shock at the foot that may extend to the body.

Research suggests that the correct amount of polyurethane and its placement works with the shoe to provide advanced support. According to a study of 122 police officers published in the American Journal of Podiatric Medicine, shoe insoles have a 68% success rate of relieving foot discomfort. In another study, 30 postal workers at a bulk mail center wore insoles for three months and reported a reduction of 67% in perceived pain at the feet, knees, and/or back. The study’s author recommended that the use of properly designed “shoe inserts should be one of the first considerations for employees required to stand for extended periods in the workplace.”

A 2007 insole study presented at an International meeting at the Harvard School of Public Health indicated a reduction of muscle activity that would help in reducing workplace muscle fatigue.

What are shoe insoles used for?

Insoles can be a viable alternative to anti-fatigue matting, especially in areas where mats are not feasible or employees are constantly on the move. The goal is not to correct the foot, but to integrate motion control and stability of the foot with shock absorption as integral features of the new design. While over-the-counter insoles have been available for many years, several companies have realized certain benefits of custom orthotics in the newly designed polyurethane insoles. These insoles are now available and affordable for companies to purchase to achieve much-needed cushioning and support for the employees.

Insoles, like the ones mentioned above, typically range from $10-$50 per pair and offer a guarantee of up to one year. There are a variety of types and sizes, so careful consideration needs to be given during selection. Given human variability, one type may not work for everyone. A good approach is to try different insoles in a pilot study format so that your particular setting can best assess the costs and benefits before implementing a widespread program.

Storage Area Ergonomics

Businesses of every type and size often have areas where materials are stored, requiring occasional to frequent access. These areas can contain items of every size and shape and accessibility may range from easy to difficult. Here are some ideas for improving the ergonomics of your storage area and reducing some common risk factors for injury.

Over-reaching

• Avoid over-reaching by keeping a sturdy ladder or step stool in the storage area. A “pull stick” can be used to access materials on higher shelves as long as the materials are lightweight.
• Store only lightweight items on top shelves both for injury reduction and earthquake preparedness.
• Use slip sheets made of low friction material to facilitate the sliding of the product.

Frequent bending to items stored on low shelves

• Store frequently used items on shelves between the knee and the elbow to reduce frequent bending.
• To reduce bending, use one or more pallets to raise material off of the ground.

Frequent lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy loads

• Whenever possible, use material handling equipment such as carts, hand trucks, dollies, or portable conveyors.
• Set up shelves at the same height as carts to facilitate the transfer of heavier items without lifting.
• Ensure that “curb ramps” are used if carts, hand trucks, and dollies are used to move items over curbs.
• Smooth out rough floors and thresholds for easy movement of carts, hand trucks, and dollies.
• Order or store items in boxes with good grips and, if given a choice from a vendor, order the lightest weight possible.

Unexpected exertions when the weight of the object is unknown or an item falls

• Have suppliers label boxes with their weight, label racks, establish lifting limits, and adhere to those limits.
• Never try to catch a falling object. Objects can be replaced but backs can’t.
• Stack loads carefully and beware of crushed or severely damaged boxes. Ensure suppliers ship in sturdy containers. Repair or discard damaged pallets.

Taking care of clients all day is hard work; but it’s important to take care of yourself too. Hopefully this overview of ergonomic problems and solutions will help you to work with less pain. Remember you’re only as good as your health!

Take the Quiz

Click “Save Progress and Continue” once the timer expires to take the quiz.

NOTE: No timer and no button? You may not be in the right place. Click the link below to go back and select the appropriate lesson.