Occupational Ergonomics and Injuries – Proper Lifting and Force-Related Conditions

In a previous post, we addressed how ergonomics is a way of designing work stations or establishing healthy work practices to create a functional work environment for workers. We’re at risk of developing adverse health conditions based on poor work environments or improper work techniques. In this post, we’ll address some things you could do to help prevent some of the work-related injuries.

We Are A Lever

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Our bodies act as a lever every time we move or lift things. We may not pay attention to these things as we perform our daily tasks, but even lifting something without the proper form or ignoring simple physics can lead to injuries and long-term health challenges. Our muscles and joints work together like a level and pulley system to lift and move things. In simpler terms, our bodies apply effort (an amount of force) onto an object or from a muscle to move or lift it. When we need to lift up a plate of cookies, our bicep muscles create enough effort to lift it off the table. Now, that effort is greatly intensified when we have to lift up something heavier, like a bag of groceries or a dumbbell. What you may not realize is that we use more than just the muscles in our arms to lift something. Imagine, if we need to lift 55 lbs from our shoulders 2 feet high, this will result in 550 lbs of pressure on our low back! If not lifting properly, these compressive forces, especially if they are more than 550lbs, can cause four times the injury compared to forces less than 550 lbs in your lower back (at your L5 vertebrae). As we aspire to be healthier in our workouts or when lifting things at our workplace, posture, velocity, repetition, and duration also play a role in preventing injury.

Force-related injuries or precautions
Here is a list of other things to keep in mind for those who may be working within construction or with machinery.

1. Contact trauma: Body presses against an external object producing mechanical stress on the tissue.
2. Grip: Pinch grip depends on fingers to exert the force which requires more strength so it is more likely to cause injury. Try to pick tools that allow power grip and decrease twisting motion.
3. Static exertion: standing, sitting in front of a computer for too long, a static position can quickly fatigue and increases the chance for carpal tunnel.
4. Gloves: Wearing thick leather gloves to perform intricate work requires more grip and force thus increasing risk for injury.
5. Bulky clothes: bulky clothes like heavy raincoat will increase muscle to do work, increase the difficulty to complete a task, increase the likelihood of injury.
6. Vibration: Losing grip with vibration will likely increase the force to perform a task, segmental vibration also links to carpal tunnel syndrome.
7. Whole-body vibration: Prolong vibration can create stresses and sometimes damage to internal organs and body parts.

In any regard, we recommend having an ergonomic assessment at your workplace with a physical therapist to optimize your workstation to prevent injury.