Ergonomic deficiencies: I. pain at work

Article Abstract:

Ergonomic deficiencies in the work place can cause excessive physical strain on employees. One form of ergonomic deficiency forces workers into extreme body postures. This is particularly true of functions that require the worker to reach above his shoulder or below his waist with arms fully extended. Excessive force is another problem; this may result from the handling of heavy tools. Concentration of stress, a third ergonomic problem, often occurs in repetitive jobs characterized by short and fast motions, or requiring the use of small hand tools that are buried within the palm. Static loading is another problem, typical of jobs that require one or more body segments to be kept motionless for extended periods. A prime example of a job that poses the risk of extreme posture and static loading is that of a hairdresser, who must hold her arms in a stationary position while bending over to reach the customer's head. Other examples of employees with similar risks are data entry workers and cashiers. While these ergonomic problems do not usually produce immediate pain, they have a cumulative effect and in the long run may cause pain. This can result in a sudden and unexpected increase in the number of disabled workers. Many of these problems can be avoided by having workers, who know the physical aspects of their jobs best, share in plans to correct features of the work place which result in physical stress. Workers should be encouraged to report work-related pain. Employers should respond to employees' needs through treatment, counseling, improvement of work place ergonomics, and monitoring of the employee's health. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Ergonomic deficiencies: III. Root causes and their correction

Article Abstract:

Ergonomics is the study and analysis of how to fit a job to human anatomy, psychology, as well as other factors, in order to enhance work efficiency and the well-being of the individual. Almost all ergonomic symptoms of deficiencies have a specific cause that can be determined. However, the entire process must be examined in order to determine the root cause. Three examples are given to demonstrate the importance of reviewing the process. Deficiencies can usually be assigned to one of three general causes: machine and tools, materials handling, and job method and tasks comprising the work assignment. The root cause may lie outside the workplace itself. In order to eliminate pain at work, physical aspects of biomechanics and workstation arrangement have to be considered, along with other factors. Management must provide a challenging job; listening to and sharing with workers may allow a problem to be dealt with before it grows into a painful one. Application of some general ergonomic rules may help alleviate some pain at work. The following 10 suggests were made of situations to be avoided: extreme reach; excessive force; static posture; stress concentration; faulty man-machine interface; extremes of the environment; one-element tasks and the one-task job; performance standards that target the 'superfit'; the Do's and Don'ts training; and textbook solutions. It is also important that workers be involved developing and implementing change. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Usage, Ergonomics, Psychology, Medicine, Industrial, Industrial medicine

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Predictors of stress-related illness in city bus drivers

Article Abstract:

The relationship between stress and illness in bus drivers in a large American city is assessed statistically by analyzing questionnaires from 798 Chicago Transit Authority drivers. Individuals respond to stress differently, and the personality and behavioral differences associated with stress have been studied in many white-collar or professional groups. However previous studies indicate that many blue-collar jobs are more stressful than white-collar professions. City bus drivers, for example, face stressful factors, such as time pressures, noisy traffic, equipment vibrations, air pollution, a lack of control over their working conditions, and social isolation from colleagues. Those bus drivers who remain healthy in spite of their stressful occupation are characterized by: not having regressive coping behavior; having strong physical constitutions; and having hardier personalities. Hardiness is difficult to assess, but commitment and control were found to be two important ingredients for hardiness. For city bus drivers, a sense of commitment to themselves, to their work, and to others were the most important determinations of hardiness. The research findings suggest that commitment may be vital for individuals whose occupations are repetitive, and who lack the opportunity to control or to be innovative.

Job satisfaction, Bus drivers

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