Ergonomic Evaluation and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Posted on Aug 31, 2024 in Economy

Identifying Workers Who Use Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Workers who use DSE for more than 4 hours per day or 20 hours per week are considered regular users. Those who use DSE between 2 and 4 hours per day (or 10 to 20 hours per week) may also be considered users under certain conditions.

Requirement for Ergonomic Evaluation

Ergonomic evaluation is required for ALL COMPANIES, regardless of their activity, as a precautionary principle. The first obligation is to identify and analyze potential ergonomic hazards. If hazards are identified, an evaluation should be conducted.

Surveillance Protocols

Surveillance protocols are a series of measures and actions designed to guide health personnel responsible for monitoring workers exposed to ergonomic risks.

Physical Workloads: Concept and Division

Definition: Physical workload refers to the psycho-physical demands placed on a worker during the workday.

Muscular work can be classified as static or dynamic:

  • Static work: Involves continuous muscle contraction for a sustained period.
  • Dynamic work: Involves a regular sequence of muscle tension and relaxation, each of short duration.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Table-Based Methods for Determining Physical Workload

Advantages:

  • Use standardized values for different activities, efforts, and movements.
  • Easy to implement and widely used.

Disadvantages:

  • May deviate from reality if the population or activities differ from those used to develop the tables.
  • Less precise than methods based on physiological measurements.

Workplace Conditions to Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries

  • Repetitive tasks (cycle time less than 30 seconds or repetitive movements for more than 50% of the cycle).
  • Tasks requiring prolonged or repetitive efforts exceeding 30% of the worker’s maximum muscle capacity.
  • Extreme postures of body segments.
  • Prolonged maintenance of any position.
  • Work with vibrating tools.
  • Exposure of body parts to cold or contact with hard surfaces.

Underestimation of Ergonomic Risks in Female-Dominated Jobs

Studies suggest an underestimation of ergonomic risks for women due to:

  • Stereotypes and preconceived notions about women performing lighter work.
  • Traditional gender-neutral preventive models based on male work standards.
  • Underrepresentation of women in decision-making bodies related to health and safety.

This has led to a misconception that women’s work is inherently light and safe, neglecting the need for further investigation and potentially contributing to disparities in MSDs between genders.

Body Map Method: Procedure and Application

The body map method is used to assess the ergonomic design of workplaces, machines, tools, etc., based on discomfort reported by users. It is particularly useful in jobs involving awkward postures.

Procedure:

  1. Interval-based assessment: At intervals throughout the workday, the worker marks areas of discomfort or pain on a body map and rates the intensity on a scale (e.g., 0-5 or 0-7).
  2. Simplified assessment: If work interruptions are difficult, the worker identifies the most uncomfortable area, then the next, and so on, typically up to 5 or 6 locations.