Preventing overuse strain injury: Key points
Here are 14 tips, provided by Mark Dohrmann and Partners, consulting ergonomists and engineers, in Melbourne, Australia, for dealing with overuse strain.
1. Identify and correct postural problems. The aim is to eliminate fixed positions that impose static loads on the muscles of the neck, shoulders and arms. Poor or improperly adjusted equipment, furniture, or layout are often to blame.
2. Identify and eliminate forceful movements. The worst are those that involve fingers, hands, and wrists, especially with bending or twisting. Check tools, knobs, processes, postures. Do things fit? Is maintenance happening?
3. Identify and break up periods of repetitive work. The aim is physical variety; use rest pauses and alternated tasks. Consult staff before introducing job rotation.
4. Ensure that any telltale early warning signs are noticed and acted upon. Supervisors and staff alike will require training and incentives to do this. It is essential to have a climate in which early reporting is encouraged.
5. Educate supervisors in the recognition and correction of faulty workplace setup and procedures. They should then be accountable for managing this.
6. Train staff to recognize and adjust their own workstations properly. The benefits of "ergonomic" furniture may otherwise be lost. Be sure to include thorough instruction for all new staff.
7. Identify and control work peaks whenever possible. These can be daily, weekly or even annually; individual work loads need monitoring.
8. Know which staff are most vulnerable to overuse strain. These can include new staff, those returning from leave, jerky or tense workers, and staff using hands and fingers a lot.
9. Identify and control sources of individual pressures. These may be related to work output requirements, to "pacing" by other workers, to supervisors’ attitudes or even personal problems. Financial need may push vulnerable staff into harmful overtime. Bonus systems are bad.
10. Educate managers, engineers, and designers in preventive measures. Once they know about ergonomics, they should be able to apply it quickly.
11. Require equipment suppliers to conform to your ergonomic specifications.
12. Develop an alternative-duties program. Carefully selected tasks matched to individual needs (e.g., as specified by a treating doctor) are essential. Close supervision is necessary.
13. Keep in close touch with people who are out sick. Letting people know you care about their welfare and recovery will help them a great deal. Have weekly phone contact at least. Have sick workers come in to collect their pay, and keep them close to their work group.
14. Keep in touch with treating doctors. Let them know you’re eager to help. Ask them to give specific advice to assist even a partial return to work. Invite them to visit you.
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