Musculoskeletal Hazards Flashcards
6 cards from real NEBOSH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Musculoskeletal Hazards flashcards as text
What is the most common type of injury resulting from manual handling operations in UK workplaces?
Answer: Musculoskeletal disorders affecting the lower back
Lower back injuries, particularly sprains and strains of the lumbar spine, are the most common injuries from manual handling. HSE statistics consistently show that manual handling is the single largest cause of over-3-day injuries in UK workplaces, with the lower back being the most affected area.
Under the DSE Regulations, what must an employer do about the cost of spectacles if an eye test reveals they are needed specifically for DSE work?
Answer: The employer must pay for a basic pair of corrective spectacles for DSE use
Where an eye test shows that an employee needs spectacles specifically for DSE work (as opposed to general use), the employer must fund the cost of a basic pair of corrective appliances. The employer does not have to pay for designer frames or lenses needed for non-DSE purposes.
Which of the following best describes 'hand-arm vibration syndrome' (HAVS)?
Answer: A group of conditions affecting blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints of the hand and arm from vibrating tools
HAVS is a group of conditions caused by regular and prolonged use of hand-held vibrating tools such as pneumatic drills, grinders, and chainsaws. It affects blood vessels (vibration white finger), nerves (numbness, tingling), and musculoskeletal structures in the hands and arms, and can be permanently disabling.
When assessing the 'Load' factor in TILE, which of the following characteristics should be considered?
Answer: Weight, size, shape, stability, grip points, and whether contents may shift
The Load factor in TILE requires consideration of multiple characteristics: weight, size, shape, whether it is rigid or flexible, stability, whether contents might shift, whether it is hot or has sharp edges, and whether adequate handholds or grip points are available. Weight alone is insufficient.
What is the recommended approach to managing DSE-related upper limb disorders in the workplace?
Answer: Take a proactive approach combining workstation assessment, regular breaks, user training, and early reporting of symptoms
Managing DSE-related ULDs requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach: proper workstation setup through assessment, ensuring adequate breaks and changes of activity, training users in good posture and workstation adjustment, and encouraging early reporting of symptoms so intervention can begin before conditions become serious.
A team regularly handles awkwardly shaped items weighing 15 kg each. Despite the weight being within guideline figures, why might a detailed manual handling assessment still be necessary?
Answer: Because the awkward shape, combined with frequency and other TILE factors, may increase risk beyond what weight alone suggests
The guideline filter figures assume reasonably good conditions. An awkward shape reduces the ability to grip and control the load, may force poor posture, and increases the effective strain on the body. Combined with frequency, environment and individual factors, even loads within weight guidelines can pose significant risk.