Identifying Behaviors that Lead to MDS

Identifying the behaviors listed below can help you understand if Ergonomic Problems exist in your organization

• Shaking their arms and hands
• Rolling their shoulders
• Modifying their tools, equipment or work area
• 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.

Ergonomic Assessment Tools applying a scientific, evidence-based approach to your ergonomics process is important. The goal is to identify ergonomic risk factors, quantify then, and then make measurable improvements to the workplace, ensuring that jobs and tasks are within workers’ capabilities and limitations.