INJURY PREVENTION

AT WORK AND HOME

Kim Roer O.T. Reg. (MB)

MIPP Coordinator
Occupational Health & Safety Department
September 2012
 MOST COMMON INJURY
Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI)

Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI):

Injury or disorder of muscles, tendons, ligaments,

joints, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue
that may be caused or aggravated by work.
 MSI CAUSES
Overexertion: Overuse:
 Single event  Develops gradually
 Associated with  Insufficient recovery
heavy loads and/or time
sudden movements.

i.e. Back Strain i.e. Tendonitis

 COMMON SIGNS &
SYMPTOMS
 Soreness
 Sharp Pain
 Decreased Movement
 Decreased Strength
 Burning
 Numbness
 Tingling
 Redness
 Swelling
 RISKS
 Posture

 Force

 Repetition

 Duration
 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of MSI usually progress in
stages which is why early intervention is most
effective:

Early Stage – Signs and symptoms (ache or

fatigue) disappear at rest or when task is stopped.
Middle Stage – Pain, ache, fatigue continues after
task/work completed. More signs and symptoms
that may not disappear with rest.
Later Stage – Signs and Symptoms are present at
most times. Daily activity and sleep are disrupted.
 ANATOMY
Musculoskeletal System

 Muscles
 Facet Joints
 Nerves
 Discs
Musculoskeletal System
 Adding to the Risks
(1) Poor design of the area
(2) Overestimating your abilities
(3) Awkward body mechanics
(4) Not removing obstacles
(5) Reluctance to ask for help
(6) Hurrying
 PREVENTION
 Proper Posture

 Proper Body Mechanics

 Reasonable Loads

 Adjusting the Environment

PROPER POSTURE
WHAT IS AWKWARD
POSTURE ?
WHAT IS AWKWARD
POSTURE
PREVENTION
 Proper Posture
Sitting
 Support low back.
 Ears over shoulders
 Elbows at approximately
90 degrees.
 Thighs parallel to the floor.
 Feet supported on the
floor or on a footrest.
 Proper Posture
Standing
 Shoulders relaxed
 Elbow at approx.
90 degrees for light
work.
 BODY MECHANICS

Keep the load

close to the body.
 BODY MECHANICS

Place your feet

at least
shoulder width
apart.
 BODY MECHANICS
Use you legs to shift
the weight.
 BODY MECHANICS

Do not twist
while handling
a load.
 Reduce the Risk
 Minimize bending
and awkward
posture by re-
organizing
workspace
/storage area.
 Work in your
“power zone”.
EQUIPMENT/DEVICES/TOOLS
 Reduce the Risk
 Label the weight.
 Reduce the Risk
Push/Pull
 Avoid pulling with your
arm positioned behind
your body
 Position arms between
waist and chest
 Position body in front of
the cart/object whenever
possible
 Push vs. pull
 Reduce the Risk

Carrying
 Use a cart/dolly
 Try to carry in front
of the body
 Balance the loads
 Reduce the Risk

Work Pace
 Balance of activity
and rest
 Heavy work requires
recovery time
 Change tasks
whenever possible
to decrease duration
or repetition
 Do not rush
 Reduce the Risk

Take Breaks!!
 Allow you to vary your posture and rest muscles
 Can mean coffee breaks or changing the task
 Micro breaks are 15 second to 2 minute pauses
to reverse a prolonged posture
 20-20-20 rule for constant computer use: every
20 minutes look 20 ft away from screen for 20
seconds.
 PREVENTION
KEEPING HEALTHY
 Working hard during
the day is not the
same as exercise.
 Weak muscles tire
more quickly than
strong muscles.
 Strong back and
abdominal muscles
provide support for the
spine.
KEEPING HEALTHY
STRETCHING
 KEEPING HEALTHY
STRETCHING

 During physical or mental stress,

muscles contract and lose their normal
resting tone. Stretching releases
tension and allows muscles to return to
their resting potential.
 KEEPING HEALTHY
STRETCHING
Does stretching prevent injury?

 Stretching can reduce the risk of injury.

 Stretching alone does not prevent
injuries. It is most effective when used
in combination with other injury
prevention strategies.
STRETCHING
STRETCHING
QUESTIONS