More on Overexertion Injuries: Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repetitive motion injuries (RMI), are gradually developing injuries of soft-tissue structures such as tendons, nerves, and muscles. Repetitive motion injuries are most common in fingers, wrists, elbows, arms and shoulders. Characterized by pain and discomfort, repetitive motion injuries tend to become progressively worse over time if not treated, and may result in a disabling loss of function of the affected area.

While Tennis Elbow (tendinitis) is a well known as a sports related injury, most RMI's have occupational stressers as the major contributing cause. Unlike other injuries, RMI's do not have a single definitive date of injury. Repeated motion of a body part without time for recovery causes micro-tears in the tissues and nerve. These micro-tears accumulate to cause a permanent cumulative trauma to the area. Repetitive motion injuries are also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD). Symptoms include chronic aches, stiffness, sore muscles, decreased coordination, tingling or numbness especially upon waking, and trouble sleeping because of the pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (impingement of the nerves in the wrist) may be the best know work related RMI. However, hand-arm vibration syndrome (wrist), radial tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis of the forearm extensor and flexor muscles (elbow and forearm), tension neck syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome (shoulders and neck), are also examples of repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive motion injuries are often tough to diagnose and treat. However, once diagnosed, OSHA considers this to be a recordable occupational illness. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment, RMI's are among the most costly occupational injuries. Preventing these injuries can result in significant cost savings for a company.

The first step in prevention is determining which tasks are at risk. A job hazard analysis with a focus of which tasks are frequently repetitive or tasks that very little throughout the workweek, awkward positions and posture, excessive pinching, frequently raising the arm or shoulder and excessive force needed in the job task. Employee surveys, reviewing incident records, and noting areas where employees leave or bid out to other areas are great ways to pinpoint which areas may need the most attention.

Educate employees to the risks of repetitive motions injuries. Encourage employees to promptly report all concerns with repetitive tasks and aches or pain. Repetitive motion injuries can often be healed quickly if promptly reported.

Train supervisors to be aware repetitive motion tasks and issues employees may have. Supervisors should help evaluate workstations. Encourage and allow supervisors to cross train employees, and vary their tasks through-out the day or week. Supervisors must continually monitor work areas for proper ergonomic work practices.

Once an employee reports a repetitive motion injury or pain and swelling, take them off the task to allow the injury to heal. Before allowing the employee back on the task, adjust the workstation or task to control the hazard. Merely allowing a healed employee back on the same task that caused the issue, doesn't fix the problem. Inevitably the repetitive motion injury will return.

An untreated repetitive motion injury can be disabling for the employee. Controlling repetitive motion injuries can result in a significant cost savings in workers compensation rates, reduced absence rates, and increased productivity. One study estimated that each controlled or eliminated repetitive motion injury saves a company $27700.

Additional Links:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-141/ergotxt1.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-119/pdfs/2006-119a.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03_031.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03_031.pdf

https://www.hrtools.com/insights/jennifer_blanchard/dont_let_repetitive_motion_injuries_damage_your_workplace.aspx

http://www.scif.com/safety/safetymeeting/Article.asp?ArticleID=99

http://ehstoday.com/news/ehs_imp_37502/

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-122/glossary.html

The Four Day Work Week and Overexertion Injuries

High gasoline prices last year and the economic down-turn this year are affecting both employees and businesses. Doing more with less in an already Lean environment as well as the rising costs of material and general overhead has number of businesses considering going to a four day work week. As part of this consideration, the effect on employee safety must be considered.

While survey results so far show that generally employees are more satisfied with the 4 day schedule, the long term effects of near miss accidents, reportable and lost time injury rates have yet to be assessed. Keep in mind that lengthening the time employees perform heavy labor contributes to muscle fatigue. Granted employees will generally have an extra day to recuperate. However, the length of time between the day to day labor may not be enough to properly remove lactic acid build up – one cause of overexertion injuries.

Many manufacturing companies' demands are also cyclical. What happens when the demand increases and the needs of 4 ten hour days are not enough to meet those demands? Generally companies will offer over-time during these periods. If you add another hour or two to the beginning or end of the shift, the lactic acid buildup will be greater. Extending the week to include overtime on Friday may not leave enough time for recuperation, especially if your employees tend to be active on their other days off.

Some progressive companies have hired ergonomic professionals in the past to help them determine recommended lifting requirements of specific jobs. Adding an extra two hours to a shift may lower those recommended weight limits. See yesterday's post for more on lifting requirements.

I would be the first to appreciate a four day work week and the last to tell you not to do it. However, the possible detrimental costs of increased injuries, must be assessed along with economic considerations.