Ergonomics and Manual Handling Flashcards

What does NIOSH stand for, and why is it relevant to manual lifting guidelines?

Answer: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; it developed the Revised Lifting Equation used to calculate safe lifting limits

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) developed the widely used Revised Lifting Equation, which calculates a Recommended Weight Limit based on task variables.

Which part of the body is most frequently injured during manual material handling tasks in occupational settings?

Answer: Lower back, due to compressive and shear forces on lumbar discs

The lower back is the most common site of manual handling injuries because the lumbar spine bears enormous compressive and shear forces during lifting and carrying.

What is the primary intended purpose of wearing a back support belt during manual lifting tasks?

Answer: To increase intra-abdominal pressure and serve as a tactile reminder to use correct lifting posture

Back belts can increase intra-abdominal pressure and serve as a posture reminder, but they are not proven to allow heavier lifts or eliminate injury risk and do not replace proper technique.

When moving a load on a cart or dolly, is it generally safer to push or pull the load, and why?

Answer: Push, because it allows use of body weight, promotes a more neutral spine posture, and reduces awkward shoulder loading

Pushing a wheeled load is generally preferred because the worker can use their body weight, maintain a neutral posture, and avoid the shoulder and back strain associated with pulling.

What is cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) in the context of workplace ergonomics?

Answer: A condition caused by repeated microtrauma to muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints that accumulates over time

CTDs develop gradually from repeated microtrauma — small stresses that individually cause no harm but accumulate over weeks or months to produce injury, such as tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

What is the correct course of action when a load is determined to be too heavy for one person to lift safely?

Answer: Use mechanical lifting aids or request a co-worker to perform a coordinated team lift

When a load exceeds safe individual lifting capacity, OSHA and general safety guidelines require using mechanical aids (forklifts, hand trucks, hoists) or performing a team lift to control the risk.

Which of the following best describes 'neutral posture' as used in ergonomics?

Answer: A body position in which joints are naturally aligned, minimizing stress on muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments

Neutral posture keeps body joints in their natural alignment — minimizing the internal forces and fatigue placed on soft tissue — and applies to all work tasks, not just computer work.