Elements of an ergonomics program. Ergonomics considers the physical and mental capabilities and limits of the worker as he or she interacts with tools, equipment, work methods, tasks, and the working environment. A goal of ergonomics is to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders by adapting the work to fit the person, instead of forcing the person to adapt to the work. The musculoskeletal system is made up of the soft tissue and bones in the body. Musculoskeletal disorders include sprains, strains, inflammation, degeneration, tears, pinched nerves or blood vessels, bone splintering and stress fractures.
Symptoms are discomfort, pain, fatigue, swelling, stiffness, or numbness and tingling.
Repeated motion disorders Overuse syndromes Musculoskeletal disorders are illnesses and injuries that affect one or more parts of the musculoskeletal system. When caused by hazards in the workplace, they are work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Risk factors are the elements of a job that increase the chance of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The potential of a risk factor to cause injury is affected by the duration of the worker's exposure to it. An ergonomics program is a systematic method of preventing, evaluating, and managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.