Risk factors can involve purely external exposures, such as shock or percussion, that act on the musculoskeletal system. They can also involve intrinsic response to a load or task, such as lifting or rapid and awkward movement. The effect of a risk factor may be modified by personal characteristics, such as anthropometry and physical conditioning, or by concurrent or previous non-work exposure. Risk factors can also involve work organizational or social factors. Records include, for example, OSHA 200 logs, workers' compensation claims, WMSD-related medical reports and infirmary logs, employee reports of WMSDs or WMSD hazards, and insurance or consultant reports prepared for your workplace.
Symptoms can vary in their severity depending on the amount of exposure the employee has had.
Often symptoms appear gradually as muscle fatigue or pain at work that disappears during rest. Stiffness Temporary alternative duty jobs are assignments given to employees with WMSDs during the recovery period until the health care provider releases the employee from work restrictions. Work practice controls also act on the source of the hazard. However, instead of physical changes to the workstation or equipment, the protection work practice controls provide is based upon the behavior of managers, supervisors and employees to follow proper work methods. Work practice controls include procedures for safe and proper work that are understood and followed by managers, supervisors and employees.