By Meryl B. Brutman, MPH - EDNF Board Member and Founder of Chicagoland Branch. Part 1 introduced guidelines to recognize and evaluate each of the seven potential risk factors or stressors. Part 2, presented below, explores the variety of control methods available to reduce, eliminate, or avoid awkward postures, mechanical stress, and poorly fitting or poorly chosen gloves, in the home, workplace, and school. Part 3, to be presented in the next issue of Loose Connections, will discuss control methods for the remaining risk factors - repetitive motions, forceful exertions, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
Administrative controls require someone's conscious decision.
Engineering controls usually involve redesign of either the job, tool, or workspace and are built into the product or system. Little additional effort is required by users thereby increasing the likelihood the control measure will be effective. For this reason, engineering controls are preferred over both administrative and PPE controls. However, these controls are often very costly and time consuming to implement. It is not always feasible to design all potential risks and stressors out of every situation.