Examples of ergonomic hazards at work
| Hazard | Example | Typical harm |
|---|---|---|
| Repetitive movement | Packing, scanning or assembly at a fast, steady pace | Tendon and nerve injury in the hands, wrists and shoulders |
| Awkward or static posture | Reaching overhead, bending, kneeling, sitting at a poorly set-up desk | Back, neck and shoulder pain |
| Forceful exertion | Lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying heavy or bulky loads | Sprains, strains and back injury |
| Vibration | Hand-held power tools, driving mobile plant | Nerve and circulation damage in the hands and arms |
| Poor workstation layout | Bench at the wrong height, frequently used items out of reach | Fatigue, discomfort and strain |
| Prolonged work with no breaks | Long shifts on one task, little chance to change position | Cumulative muscle and joint injury |
Why are ergonomic hazards easy to miss?
Most do not cause an injury on the day. The harm builds up over weeks or months, so it often shows up as a complaint of aches and pains rather than an incident. That is why they are better found by watching how work is actually done than by waiting for a report.
How do you control ergonomic hazards?
Work down the hierarchy of control and involve the people doing the task:
- Eliminate the task, for example by delivering goods to the point of use so nobody carries them.
- Substitute or engineer with a hoist, trolley, adjustable-height bench or lighter tool.
- Redesign the work by changing layout, heights, reach distances and load weights.
- Administrative controls such as job rotation, rest breaks and training in safe technique.
- PPE, such as anti-vibration gloves, only as a support to the controls above.
How do you assess an ergonomic hazard?
Look at the task, not just the person. Note the posture, how often it repeats, how long it lasts, the force used and how many people are affected. Ask workers where it hurts and which tasks are hardest. Record the result in your risk assessment, apply controls, then check back that discomfort has dropped. In Australia, hazardous manual tasks fall under the model WHS Regulations, so the duty is to eliminate the risk or reduce it so far as is reasonably practicable.