Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders

摘要

An aging, overweight and out-of-shape workforce has a significant effect on safety, health and productivity. Progressive organizations offer on-site gyms, health risk assessments (including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol testing) and prework stretching programs to address the problem. Safety professionals who are familiar with health and productivity management (HPM) understand the importance of creating a fit workforce: The aggregated cost of unhealthy workers is $8 an hour for an employee with full benefits (Goetzel, 2005). This article identifies five essential processes to build a fit workforce through strength and flexibility exercises (SAFE). These five processes improve worker health and productivity, particularly in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Also discussed is restricted trunk rotation, one of the leading causes of chronic low back pain (LBP).