For example, workers that repeat the same motion, work in an awkward position, use a great deal of force in their jobs, repeatedly lift heavy objects or a combination of these are likely to develop MSDs. The longer and more often the exposure to ergonomic risk factors, the longer the time needed to recover from the exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries and disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. They do not include injuries resulting from slips, trips, falls or similar accidents. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, sciatica, herniated disc and low back pain.
Women suffer high rates of work-related MSDs because of the types of jobs in which they often work.
A large number of women work in jobs associated with high levels of repetitive motions, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and other physical work activities such as lifting patients in nursing homes, sewing clothing and other apparel, or using a keyboard. MSDs are often easy to prevent. Adding a book under a monitor, or padding a tool handle are typical of the fixes used in ergonomics programs. Solutions that fit the work to the worker are achieved by companies that implement an ergonomics program. Adjusting the height of working surfaces to reduce long reaches and awkward postures.