Anti-Fatigue Mats:
Mats or padding on the floor designed to reduce musculoskeletal fatique associated with static standing. Cushioned insoles for shoes can be viewed as "portable anti-fatigue mats", to some degree.
Anthropometry:
The study and measurement of human physical dimensions.
Awkward Posture:
Any fixed or constrained body position that overloads muscles and tendons or loads joints in an uneven or asymmetrical manner.
Biomechanics:
The study of the effects of internal and external forces on the human body in movement and at rest.
Biomechanical:
Biomechanical models calculate physical stresses occurring at the discs in the low back and various body joints. The stresses are compared with accepted limits for compressive forces.
Bursitis:
Bursae are lubricating pads separating tendons from bones in parts of the body. Bursitis is the result of the inflammation of a bursae. The inflammation may be caused by repetitive or forceful exertions at that joint.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
A specific CTD occurring as the result of compression on the median nerve, which travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms can include tingling and numbness in the hand, and loss of dexterity and strength in the hand.
Contact stress:
Exposure of a body part to a hard or sharp surface/edge at a workstation or tool. Contact stress has been associated with the development of CTDs.
Contrast:
The difference in light between two surfaces or areas. For example, the difference between a window surface and a computer monitor.
CTD:
A cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) is a bodily injury caused by the buildup of mechanical stressors that repeat over time. Specifically, it is a health disorder arising from repeated biomechanical stress due to ergonomic hazards.
Deviation:
Movement of a body part towards the extreme in its range of motion. For example, ulnar deviation of the wrist describes the movement of the wrist away from a straight position towards the ulna bone in the forearm.
Duration:
The continuous time a task is performed without a rest period.
Ergonomics:
A discipline dealing with the interaction between the worker and the work environment.
Ergonomics Hazards:
Workplace conditions that pose a biomechanical stress to the worker.
Ergonomics Program:
Application of ergonomics in a structured system including the following components: health and risk factor surveillance, job analysis and design, medical management, and training.
L5/S1:
The intervertebral disc between the 5th lumbar (L5) and 1st sacral (S1) vertebrae of the spinal column.
Ligaments:
Fibrous structures that connect bones to bones within the body, providing support while allowing flexibility and movement.
MMH:
Manual Materials Handling (MMH) refers to any handling task involving the human body as the “power source”. MMH includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, and holding.
Median Nerve:
The nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel of the wrist and services the thumb and first three fingers of the hand. Compression of the median nerve is the definition of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Muscle Sprain:
A torn muscle fiber. Typically the tear is microscopic.
Neutral Posture:
The body position that minimizes stresses on the body. Typically the neutral posture will be near the mid-range of any joint’s range of motion.
NIOSH Equation:
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 1981 and 1991 guidelines consist of a series of mathematical equations developed based on historical injury data and related job data. The equations calculate recommended maximum safe weights of lift.
Psychophysical:
Psychophysical data are collected by having subjects select their maximum acceptable weight of handling under experimental conditions. Subjects adjust the weight handled until they feel the weight is not excessive. These selected weights represent design guidelines.
Risk Factors:
Conditions of a job, process, or operation that contribute to the risk of developing CTDs...Risk Factors are regarded as synergistic elements of ergonomic hazards which must be considered in light of their combined effect in inducing CTDS.
Sit/Stand:
A workstation that enables the worker to perform tasks at a standing position while still providing some support of a seated workstation.
Static Load:
Stresses on the body increase as a function of body parts remaining immobile for extended periods.
Tendonitis:
Tendons connect muscles to bones. Tendonitis is the result of the inflammation of tendons at a body part.
Tenosynovitis:
Swelling and inflammation of the sheath that surrounds certain tendons. The sheath produces a lubricating fluid for the tendon; tenosynovitis results from a decreased capacity to produce this lubricating fluid.
Trigger Finger:
Tendons in the finger joints can swell due to overuse, “locking” the finger into a fixed position.
Vibration White Finger:
A condition where the blood vessels in the hand constrict, resulting in decreased blood flow. This disease is associated with the long-term use of vibrating tools (or in general exposure to vibration). Also referred to as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Vertebral Disc:
Discs separate the bones that make up the spinal column. They are fibrous structures filled with a pulpy, gelatinous matter. They function as shock absorbers for the spine. Disc-related injuries to the back can be associated with deformation of the discs, including bulging and rupturing of the discs.
VDT:
Video Display Terminal (computer monitor).
Workstation:
The entire area accessed by a worker when performing a specific task or job cycle.