Musculoskeletal disorders - Articles - Page 2

Four tips to prevent & reduce musculoskeletal disorders

How to avoid the “walking wounded”

March 2, 2020

No magic pills make musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) disappear, yet risk, human resources and safety departments continue to buy into programs and systems that do not affectively aid in helping employees deemed the “walking wounded.”

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Industrial exoskeletons

Dr. John Howard Jack Lu PhD, CPE Vladimir Murashov PhD Brian D. Lowe Ph.D

January 13, 2020

Exoskeletons used in the workplace are referred to as “industrial exoskeletons.” Their purpose is to augment, amplify, or reinforce the performance of a worker’s existing body components—primarily the lower back and the upper extremity (arms and shoulders). Despite a lack of research, manufacturers of these devices claim productivity gains, work quality improvements, and a reduction of the risk of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).

Computer simulation helps manufacturer improve safety, health

March 22, 2019

How do manufacturing companies know the best and safest way to design workplaces and assign tasks? Ideally, injuries and illnesses should be prevented, but historically companies have adjusted their workplace policies, practices and procedures after an injury or illness occurred. In a NIOSH-supported study at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health, researchers tested the role of computer simulation in promoting workers’ well-being by designing safer work.

Seize the opportunities ergonomics can mean for your workplace

Dr. Brent Wells

March 5, 2019

People who work outside or who do the heavy lifting for a living are often jealous of office workers. “They have it so easy!” you hear them say, “They never have to worry about the heat, the cold, or being injured.” While the office temperature is debatable, it is not true that desk jobs carry no risk of injury. The CDC states that in 1999, about 1 million people took time off work to recover from musculoskeletal injuries due to poor economics, costing businesses about $50 billion each year in lost wages and productivity.

Hamilton announces new ergonomic casters & accessories to outsmart back pain

September 13, 2018

Hamilton Caster is proud to announce a new lineup of ergonomic casters, wheels, and related accessories. The new running gear is designed to satisfy high standards established by leading ergonomists and safety managers in today’s manufacturing environments. The new ergo caster series is a marriage of Hamilton’s best rolling and quietest polyurethane wheels mounted in Hamilton’s newest Spinfinity maintenance-free kingpinless casters.

NIOSH studies relationship between lifting and low back pain

February 20, 2017

In manufacturing and other industries where lifting is part of the job, disorders that affect the muscles and bones are a common problem. In fact, musculoskeletal disorders cause one-third of work-related injuries resulting in missed workdays, costing about $45 to $54 billion annually in lost productivity and treatment, according to estimates from the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine.

Standing takes its toll on muscle fatigue

January 24, 2017

Standing five hours a day contributes lower-limb muscle fatigue, a small study concluded, and may raise the risk for long-term back pain and musculoskeletal disorders, according to WedMD’s HealthDay. Study authors report almost half of all workers worldwide spend more than three-quarters of their workday standing.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Reducing whole body vibration to improve the safety and health of bus drivers

October 27, 2016

On the road every day, transportation workers are responsible for the safe delivery of passengers, materials and goods across the United States. Bus drivers ensure our kids and family members arrive safely.

Protecting the hands of “industrial athletes”

October 2, 2016

Shawn Roll has expertise in a specific type of “handiwork.” Roll, an assistant professor at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, focuses primarily on research for the prevention, rehabilitation and assessment of musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

A U.S. DOL Blog post

Truck driver job-related injuries in overdrive

Sean Smith Patrick Harris

August 24, 2016

When you think of dangerous jobs, what comes to your mind? Police officers, firefighters and construction workers might top the list for most people. Tractor-trailer truck drivers probably don’t come to mind, but Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that driving a truck is risky in ways you might not expect.