Chapter 13 WMSD

Question 1

What is Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD)?

Answer 1

Injuries that affect the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments) that develop gradually over time due to micro-trauma to these tissues
OR
Physical ailments or abnormal conditions which develop gradually over a period of time as a result of repeated mechanical stresses on a particular body part

Question 2

What are other names for WMSD?

Answer 2

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD)
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
Repeated Trauma Disorders (RTD)

Question 3

Types of risk factors

Answer 3

occupational, personal, and psychosocial

Question 4

What is associated with occupational risk factor

Answer 4

associated with a work task and work areas (repetition, force, posture, vibration, exposure to cold, insufficient rest and recovery)

Question 5

What is associated with personal risk factor

Answer 5

Associated with an individual that may
predispose them to risk (age, gender,
personality type, recreational activities,
anthropometry, etc.)

Question 6

What is associated with psychosocial risk factor

Answer 6

Associated with the organizational
practices and procedures (time stress,
supervisory control, autonomy, job
security, interaction with coworkers,
increased workload demands, lack of job
clarity, etc.)

Question 7

Neck WMSD physical ailments or abnormal conditions

Answer 7

Tension neck syndrome and posture strain

Question 8

Neck WMSD Contributing factors

Answer 8

• prolonged static, restricted or nonnatural posture
• prolonged lifting of head

Question 9

Primary Neck WMSD prevention through admin controls

Answer 9

job enlargement

Question 10

Back WMSD physical ailments or abnormal conditions

Answer 10

• degenerative disc disease
• herniated disc
• mechanical back syndrome
• ligament sprain
• muscle strain

Question 11

Contributing factors to Back WMSD

Answer 11

• prolonged static load on upper torso musculature
• awkward posture: extensive trunk flexion or extension
• constant lifting of objects from the floor
• bending and twisting

Question 12

Primary prevention admin control for back WMSD

Answer 12

Training employee(s) in proper lifting technique

Question 13

Physical ailments or abnormal conditions as a result of Shoulder WMSD

Answer 13

Thoracic outlet syndrome and shoulder tendonitis

Question 14

Contributing factors to shoulder WMSD

Answer 14

• prolonged flexion/abduction of shoulders
• frequent reaching above shoulders
• tasks which pull shoulders back and down
• prolonged load on shoulders
• repetitive throwing of heavy loads

Question 15

Physical ailments or abnormal conditions of elbow WMSD

Answer 15

• Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Question 16

Contributing factors to elbow WMSD

Answer 16

• repetitive forearm pronation
• extreme rotation of the forearm
• extreme flexion of the elbow

Question 17

physical ailments or abnormal conditions due to finger WMSD

Answer 17

• digital neuritis
• trigger finger
• DeQuervain’s Disease (thumb)

Question 18

Contributing factors to finger WMSD

Answer 18

• vibrating tools
• repetitive ulnar deviation
• flexion of the wrist with effort
• forceful gripping

Question 19

Prevention methods of finger WMSD

Answer 19

• job rotation and/or job enlargement
• protective materials (gloves or handles) to absorb vibrations

Question 20

prevention and control for shoulder WMSD

Answer 20

• increase recovery time when forces are high
• reduce awkward shoulder postures
• reduce frequent reaching above shoulder
• reduce loads on shoulder

Question 21

prevention and control of elbow WMSD

Answer 21

• minimize forearm rotation
• implement rest periods
• utilize power tools if necessary

Question 22

physical ailments or abnormal conditions due to wrist WMSD

Answer 22

• Tendonitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Guyon’s Canal Syndrome

Question 23

Contributing factors to Wrist WMSD

Answer 23

• repetitive forceful wrist extension/flexion
• high/static force finger movements
• palmar base pressure
• ulnar deviation
• rapid wrist rotational movement

Question 24

prevention and control for wrist WMSD

Answer 24

stretching exercises and implementation of rest periods

Question 25

What are engineering controls

Answer 25

Focus on changing the work environment to minimize WMSD

Question 26

What are Admin controls

Answer 26

Focus on changing the work procedures or methods to minimize WMSD

Question 27

All possible affected body parts

Answer 27

3 trunk: - Neck - Back - Shoulder 3 arm: - Fingers - Wrist - Elbow

Question 28

Engineering controls examples

Answer 28

- position work to eliminate awkward postures - adjust seating - Avoid over-shoulder and below-knuckle height reaches - design job to reduce hand forces and repetition

Question 29

Admin control examples

Answer 29

- job enlargement - job rotation - proper training - implement breaks