Manufacturing Ergonomics: Reducing Repetitive Motion Injury Risk

By Tyler Doupe'

When you think about injuries in the manufacturing industry, your mind might go straight to catastrophic incidents where an employee loses a limb (or their life) operating an unguarded machine. Tragic injuries of that magnitude are unfortunately all too common in the manufacturing space, but for today’s purposes, we are setting our sights on an often-overlooked class of injuries. Repetitive motion injury, also known as cumulative trauma disorder, is a less discussed, yet nonetheless troublesome, hazard of the manufacturing trade.

Repetitive Motion Injury Is Highly Preventable

Laborers in the manufacturing industry often repeat the same task day in and day out with little variation. That ongoing repetition can trigger a series of unwanted but ultimately preventable side effects. A little knowledge and a proactive approach go a long way toward staving off repetitive motion injuries. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what employers can do to help protect workers from the perils of cumulative trauma disorder. 

Organizations can do a number of things to minimize the risk of repetitive motion injury. One highly effective strategy is to ensure that workers have access to adjustable-height workbenches that allow them to adapt their environment to their body type rather than the other way around.

Task rotation is another incredibly important piece of the puzzle. When employees routinely mix up their workday by changing assignments, they use different muscle groups, preventing the likelihood of repetitive motion injury from spending too much time in the same position.

Employers should also be sure to encourage employees to speak up at the first sign of discomfort. Early intervention allows the organization the chance to get in front of the problem before the discomfort leads to injury.

Be on the Lookout for Early Warning Signs

It’s also of great importance for employers to educate workers who perform manual labor on the early warning signs of repetitive motion injury. Said warning signs include, but are not limited to, stiffness, soreness when completing specific tasks, dull aches, minor swelling, and tingling. When employees know the warning signs and feel empowered to speak up, everyone benefits.

Employees Also Have a Role to Play

While many of the aforementioned steps for preventing cumulative trauma disorder must be enforced at the organizational level, employees shouldn’t underestimate their role in the grand scheme of things. Workers should consider using their rest periods to stretch and walk around to engage their muscles and interrupt static postures that lead to muscle tension.

Preventing Repetitive Motion Injury is Good for Both the Employee and the Organization

Preventing repetitive motion injuries keeps the workforce comfortable, reduces workers’ compensation claims, and improves productivity. So, it’s good for the employer and good for the employee. A real win-win scenario.

For additional insight on how to stave off repetitive motion injury, be sure to take a look at OSHAcademy Course 711 Introduction to Ergonomics.