Question

explain what is the Ergonomic Hazard among health care personnel in detail with examples.

Answer 1

Ergonomic hazards include heavy lifting, repetitive and forceful movements, problems related to backbone, neckline, shoulder and knees awkward postures that arise from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations and equipment. It leads to muscle aches/muscle sprains, carpel tunnel syndrome, chronic back pain, elbow/wrist/ hamstring/neck pain, problem of body posture, excessive stretching of muscles, bending/ twisting as well as lifting heavy loads multiple times at work.Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are most often experienced by medical professionalist mostly surgeons followed by nurses and physiotherapists.

The HCW face high ergonomic risks and therefore have greater potential for musculoskeletal issues along with other work associated injuries. In a journal published in 2018, more than 5000 injuries among HCW have been reported annually. These are mainly attributed to manual handling of patients and excessive workloads. Moreover, awkward or static postures during treatment of patients result in stresses and strains which is another cause of such problems. One third of all cases of sick leave among health care employees are due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).   In most countries the disorders due to work are not given due importance nor attention.The MSDs affect body movements, cause wounds or dysfunctions of nerves, tendons, muscles, cartilage, bone, spinal discs and joints. These disorders comprise soreness, connective tissue damage, pain in back, hernia, problems of shoulder and knee tears. According to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), numerous studies indicated direct relationship between physical work and occupational related MSDs. Several aspects that are related with MSD include constant body posture, persistent sitting positions, continuous movement, unnecessary use of force and prolonged standing. Many programs on psychosocial nature of humans, physical work and medical facilities related to the prevention and effective management of MSDs have been conducted by NIOSH and OSHA.

Majority of the workers in healthcare doing such work are females. Women represent approximately 80 percent of the healthcare workers (HCWs) around the world. Work related injuries including fractures have been found to be most common among nurses and other semi-skilled HCW. Prolonged awkward or static postures, manual lifting of heavy loads and handling of patients and prolonged standing at work are considered as main causes of work related MSD in HCF. Posture related risks have been reported to pose risk among waste workers also who are involved in waste collection tasks like lifting and dumping of waste^.

General characteristics such as working overtime, work in multiple facilities or in multiple shifts is reportedly associated with higher risks of injuries and susceptibility to ergonomic hazards. A study conducted among registered nurses and care aides working at full time and part-time work showed that those involved in full time work shifts had higher risks of work related injuries and fractures than those working on a part time basis. Several risk factors such as heavy and prolonged physical activity, increased stress and work demand as well as high body mass index (BMI) are also linked with work related MSDs among workers.

Some examples of task related risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries are patient transfers, material handling, frequency of lifting, pushing/pulling of objects,and poorly designed work area . These ergonomic hazards can lead to musculoskeletal disorders which can affect the nerves, tendons, muscles and supporting structures of the body. Low back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are well recognized work related musculoskeletal disorders