CSO Ergonomics and Manual Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When working at a computer workstation, which of the following describes the recommended ergonomic posture?
- Shoulders hunched forward to comfortably reach the keyboard
- Back straight, feet flat on the floor, and the monitor top at or slightly below eye level (Correct answer)
- Neck tilted downward at a 45-degree angle to view the screen clearly
- Arms fully extended so the keyboard is at maximum reach
Correct answer: Back straight, feet flat on the floor, and the monitor top at or slightly below eye level
A neutral posture — straight back, feet flat, monitor near eye level — minimizes static muscle load and prevents neck and back strain during computer work.
Question 2: Which type of injury is most commonly associated with improper manual handling in the workplace?
- Head and facial injuries
- Back and musculoskeletal injuries (Correct answer)
- Eye injuries from flying debris
- Hearing loss from equipment noise
Correct answer: Back and musculoskeletal injuries
Improper manual handling — particularly poor lifting technique — is the leading cause of back and musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace.
Question 3: Before attempting to lift a heavy load manually, what is the most important first step?
- Begin lifting immediately to minimize fatigue from prolonged planning
- Plan the lift: assess the load weight, clear the travel path, and determine if mechanical aid or assistance is needed (Correct answer)
- Put on a back support belt and proceed with the lift
- Ask a nearby coworker to watch in case injury occurs
Correct answer: Plan the lift: assess the load weight, clear the travel path, and determine if mechanical aid or assistance is needed
Planning the lift — assessing weight, clearing the path, and deciding on the right method — prevents injury before the physical work begins.
Question 4: When carrying a load, what is the recommended arm position to minimize strain?
- Arms extended outward from the body to improve balance
- Arms close to the body with elbows bent at approximately 90 degrees (Correct answer)
- Arms raised above shoulder height for maximum visibility around the load
- Arms hanging straight down with the load near floor level
Correct answer: Arms close to the body with elbows bent at approximately 90 degrees
Keeping arms close to the body with elbows bent at 90 degrees maintains a neutral posture and reduces the load's leverage effect on the spine and shoulders.
Question 5: What is a 'team lift'?
- An informal competition among workers to see who can lift the most weight
- A coordinated lift performed by two or more workers to safely handle a load too heavy or awkward for one person (Correct answer)
- A mechanical hoist or crane system used in warehouses
- A lift performed using a back support belt and knee pads simultaneously
Correct answer: A coordinated lift performed by two or more workers to safely handle a load too heavy or awkward for one person
A team lift involves two or more workers sharing a load that exceeds a single person's safe lifting capacity, reducing individual strain and injury risk.
Question 6: Which of the following is a significant risk factor for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)?
- Taking scheduled rest breaks throughout the workday
- Performing highly repetitive motions with the same muscle groups over an extended period (Correct answer)
- Using ergonomically designed tools and equipment
- Maintaining a neutral body posture throughout all tasks
Correct answer: Performing highly repetitive motions with the same muscle groups over an extended period
Highly repetitive motions that use the same muscle groups repeatedly without adequate recovery are a primary risk factor for developing WMSDs like tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 7: What is the primary ergonomic benefit of job rotation in the workplace?
- It significantly increases total production output per shift
- It reduces repetitive strain injuries by varying the muscle groups and body positions used throughout the workday (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for ergonomic assessments and training programs
- It allows workers to avoid physically demanding tasks assigned to them
Correct answer: It reduces repetitive strain injuries by varying the muscle groups and body positions used throughout the workday
Job rotation varies the tasks workers perform, distributing physical stress across different muscle groups and reducing the cumulative exposure to any single repetitive motion.
CSO Ergonomics and Manual Handling 2
When working at a computer workstation, which of the following describes the recommended ergonomic posture?