Vol. XI, Number 2 The Official Communications Link Of The Ehlers–Danlos National Foundation 6399 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 510 Los Angeles, California 90048
May, 1996 (310) 277–4900
Ergonomics: Recognition and Evaluation of Risk Factors and Potential Stressors – Part 1 By Meryl B. Brutman, MPH – EDNF Board Member and Founder of Chicagoland Branch. Meryl has EDS type III. This is the first of of aa two–part two–part series series on on the the recognition, evaluation, and and control control of of potential risk factors that that can can lead lead to to increased injury, discomfort, discomfort, and/or and/or fatigue. fatigue. This issue discusses each of the the seven seven potential risk factors so so you you can can recognize recognize them in any situation. situation. ItIt will will also also provide provide guidelines to determine the the severity severity of of the the risk. Part 2, which which will will be be presented presented in in the the next issue of Loose Loose Connections, Connections, will will explore explore the of variety of methods control methods the variety control available to available to reduce or reduce or eliminate theeliminate potential the risk factors potential risk factors introduced here. introduced here. The word Ergonomics comes comes from from the the Greek Greek “ergo” and “nomos” which translated “ergo” and “nomos” which translated means means “work” and of” “study of” orof”. “laws of”. “work” and “study or “laws Thus, Thus, ergonomics is simply the study of ergonomics is simply the study of or lawsorof laws of of the relationship work or work of theorrelationship between between people people and their work environment. The and their work environment. The definition definition used by the Occupational used by the Occupational Safety and Safety Health and Health Administration is more specific: Administration is more specific: “adapting “adapting jobs and workplaces to the jobs and workplaces to the worker by worker by designing tasks, tools, and equipment designing tasks, tools, and equipment that thatwithin are within the worker’s physical are the worker’s physical capabilities capabilities and limitations”. and limitations”. Ergonomics, Ergonomics, however, is however, notthelimited to theItworkplace. It not limitedis to workplace. is a is a multidisciplinary science that includes multidisciplinary science that includes the the fields of medicine, physiology, anatomy, fields of medicine, physiology, anatomy, engineering, psychology, chemistry, chemistry, and and biomechanics just to name aa few. few. So So how how can Ergonomics help people people with with Ehlers– Ehlers– Danlos Syndrome? Many of us have probably probably heard heard the the term term Ergonomics used as an an adjective adjective in in various various TV commercials and print ads. It is especially common when describing cars.
An ergonomically designed interior TV commercials and print ads. It is and ergonomic displays and controls. What these especially common when describing cars. An ads are referring to is analogous to the terms ergonomically designed interior and “perfect fit displays or fits like glove”. Thus, ergonomic anda controls. What these Ergonomics aims to be user friendly byterms ads are referring to is analogous to the designing things that are easy to operate “perfect fit or fits like a glove”. Thus, both mentally andtophysically while also Ergonomics aims be user friendly by requiring the least amount of andboth designing things that are easy energy to operate effort. Ideally, mentally and physically while also requiring objects strength the leastrequiring amount of energy and and precision effort. Ideally, would be designed for the least able objects requiring strength and precision people in society, usually the elderly would be designed for the least able and disabledinpopulations. Unfortunately, as many people society, usually the elderly and of you can attest to, there are far too many disabled populations. Unfortunately, as many heavy doors and poorly designed items of you can attest to, there are far too many currently in use. good news isitems that heavy doors and The poorly designed manufacturers, engineers, designers, currently in use. The good news is thatetc. are much more aware of thesedesigners, issues andetc. areare manufacturers, engineers, starting to incorporate ergonomics into much more aware of these issues and aretheir products.to incorporate ergonomics into their starting products.
Risk Factors and Potential Stressors In order to design or or choose choose ergonomic ergonomic related items, we must must first first understand understand what what potential risk factors and and stressors stressors need need to to be reduced be reduced or avoided or avoided completely. completely. We We mustmust also realize also realize that buying that buying an ergonomic an ergonomic tool does tool not guarantee does not guarantee an ergonomic an ergonomic fit. Many fit. Many items are labeled items are labeled as ergonomically as ergonomically designed, but really fall but designed, shortreally of this falldistinction. short of this Likewise, the tool or item distinction. Likewise, must be thecorrectly tool or item matched must with be correctly the intended matched use with or onethewill intended not benefit use from or onechoosing will not an benefit ergonomic from choosing item and an can even make item ergonomic thingsand worse. can even make things worse.
There are seven major risk risk factors factors or or potential stressors. They are are as as follows: follows: repetitive motions, awkward awkward postures, postures, forceful exertions, mechanical mechanical stress stress (direct pressure on nerves and and soft soft tissues), tissues), vibration, extreme temperatures temperatures (both (both too too low and too high) and and the the use use of of ill ill fitting fitting or poorly chosen gloves. The The more more risk risk factors present, and the more more severe severe each each risk factor, the higher higher the the potential potential for for injury or discomfort. discomfort. The evaluation of of severity severity mentioned mentioned below with each risk factor factor is is just just aa guideline. It is impossible impossible to to exactly exactly predict injuries and to to avoid avoid all all potential potential risk factors. Therefore, your your mission mission (should you decide to accept accept it) it) isis to to reduce as many risk factors factors as as possible possible and and to limit the severity severity of of each each one. one. Even Even when only one severe risk factor factor is is present, the goal the is still as muchit as present, goaltoisreduce still toit reduce as possible financial constraints and much as within possible within financial current knowledge. constraints and current knowledge. A detailed discussion of of possible possible control control measures for each risk factor factor will will be be presented in the next issue issue of of Loose Loose Connections as Part 2 of of this this article. article. The The important thing to remember, remember, is is that that Ergonomics, like Medicine, is is as as much much an an art as a science. You You know know your your bodies bodies the the best, so you need to to consider consider what what feels feels good to you. One One caution caution though: though: some some postures – like slouching –– may may seem seem comfortable at first, but but can can lead lead to to injuries.and discomfort in the long run. injuries
Views expressed herein are only those of the authors, and should not be construed to represent the 1996 EDNF —Foundation Page 1 and it’s elected officials opinions or policies of the August, Ehlers–Danlos National
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