120. Ergonomic factors. Health effects of inorganic and organic dusts and their prevention

From greek.doctor
  • Ergonomics
    • = how the workplace and equipment can be best used for comfort, safety, and productivity
      • Physical ergonomics = how the body responds to work
      • Cognitive ergonomics = how the mind responds to work
      • Organizational ergonomics = how work organization can be optimized
    • Applying ergonomics improves productivity, reduces cost, improves quality of work, and reduces absence
    • Especially musculoskeletal disorders can be prevented by ergonomics
      • Back pain
      • Carpal tunnel syndrome
      • Tennis elbow
    • The work should adapt to the worker, not opposite
    • Principles of applying ergonomics
      • Work in neutral posture
      • Reduce excessive force
      • Keep everything within reach
      • Work at proper height
      • Reduce excessive motion
      • Minimize fatigue and static load
      • Minimize pressure points
      • Provide clearance
      • Move, exercise, and stretch
      • Maintain a comfortable environment
    • Example: Nurses give surgeons their tools, so that the surgeons don’t lose their focus
  • Health effects of inorganic and organic dusts
    • Inorganic dusts
      • Coal dust – causes Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis
        • In coal workers
        • Often asymptomatic
      • Silica – causes silicosis
        • In ceramics, glassblowing, mining, etc.
      • Asbestos – causes asbestosis (= mesothelioma)
        • Working with products containing asbestos, like isolation, car breaks, etc.
    • Organic dusts
      • Cotton dust – causes byssinosis
        • In cotton workers
      • Tobacco – causes “tobaccosis” (= lung cancer, COPD)
      • Grain dust – causes Farmer’s Lungs
    • Prevention
      • Proper ventilation
      • Masks