Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: The Basics

In brief

• Ergonomics is designing work tasks to suit what workers can do.
• It can reduce or eliminate work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and other injuries, and improve safety.
• Ergonomics programs give guidelines for cutting workplace risk factors, which can mean fewer injuries.

What ergonomics is

In occupational health, ergonomics is the design of work tasks and job demands to fit the capabilities of the working population. Its goal is to reduce and prevent musculoskeletal disorders, which have many causes:

• physical — tasks such as pushing, pulling or lifting;
• psychosocial — mental wellbeing shaped by social factors;
• personal — age, sex and body mass index.

Put simply, ergonomics aims to prevent discomfort and injury caused by work. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommend designing the work environment — its tools, lighting and equipment — to fit employees' physical capabilities and limitations. Assistive lifting devices, for example, help prevent injuries.

With this understanding, employers, workers and others can work together on programs that prevent and reduce work-related discomfort and injury.

Terms to know

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage or spinal discs that:

• are caused by sudden or sustained force, vibration, repetitive motion or awkward postures;
• are not the result of an instant event such as a slip, trip or fall;
• range from mild to intense, with occasional to chronic pain;
• can be a leading indicator of disability.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are MSDs that can be attributed to the work environment and the performance of work.

An ergonomics program is a systematic process for identifying, analyzing and controlling workplace risk factors, often to reduce MSDs.

Working conditions that raise the risk

WMSDs can be caused or made worse by work that requires employees to:

• lift, push, pull or carry many objects, or irregularly shaped ones;
• hold awkward or unnatural postures;
• work in cold;
• withstand vibration from machinery and tools;
• increase the intensity, frequency and duration of activities;
• endure psychosocial stress.

NIOSH's Elements of Ergonomics Programs sets out the steps to prevent WMSDs. NIOSH's Health Hazard Evaluation reports and its science blog cover ergonomics too.

Sources

Based on "About Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders," National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. Two stock photographs of workers are not reproduced.