Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace ASSESSMENT AND PREVENTION by Peggy Ross, RN, COHN, CCM E rgonomics is an applied science con- cerned with the design of workplaces, tools, and tasks to match the physiologic, anatomic, and psychological characteristics and capabilities of the worker. More simply put, ergo- nomics involves adapting the work environment to be within the worker's capabilities and to prevent injury, illness, and strain. Ergonomics originated in response to recogni- tion of occupational hazards. Occupational haz- ards are believed to induce microtrauma, which may result in cumulative trauma disorders (CTD). Recognition of certain violent and irregular motions and unnatural postures of the body, by reason of which the natural structure of the vital machine is so impaired that serious diseases gradually develop therefrom was recorded more than 200 years ago by ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ms. Ross is Senior Nurse Case Manager, ITT Hartford, Naperville, IL. APRIL 1994, VOL. 42, NO.4 Bernardino Ramazzini, an Italian physician (Ramazzini, 1717, 1940). As industrialization expanded, skilled craftspersons who once per- formed myriad tasks were replaced by assembly line workers required to perform the same tasks over and over. Through time study standards and advancements in equipment, engineers have increased the pace of work, eliminating unnecessary movements. Engineering standards for productivity are developed (Dubrin, 1993) with profit and produc- tivity as the primary goals. Lack of awareness of the dynamics, capabilities, and limitations of the human body has culminated in the dramatic increase in CTD. CTD are currently recognized as a major occupational health hazard in the workplace (OSHA, 1991). MAGNITUDE/IMPACT Ergonomic hazards affect all workers (as well as their families) and industries and businesses of all sizes. Poor workplace design, repetitive move- ments, awkward body mechanics or postures, and other hazards produce or contribute to a stagger- ing number of disabling cumulative trauma ill- nesses and injuries. The magnitude of CTD has only recently been 171
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