Osha Ergonomic Terms

Administrative controls (1910.900) are changes in the way that work in a job is assigned or scheduled that reduce the magnitude, frequency or duration of exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Examples of administrative controls for MSD hazards include:(1) Employee rotation;(2) Job task enlargement;(3) Alternative tasks;(4) Employer-authorized changes in work pace.

The study of human body measurements. Used in developing design standards and requirements for manufactured products to ensure they are suitable for the intended audience.Assistant Secretary (1910.900) means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, or designated representative.

A scientific and engineering field that explains the characteristics of a biological system--the human body--in mechanical terms.

The compression and entrapment of the median nerve where it passes through the wrist into the hand--in the carpal tunnel. The median nerve is the main nerve that extends down the arm to the hand and provides the sense of touch in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the fourth, or ring, finger.

Means to reduce MSD hazards to the extent that they are no longer reasonably likely to cause MSDs that result in work restrictions or medical treatment beyond first aid.

Inflammation of the tendon sheath of the thumb attributed to excessive friction between two thumb tendons and their common sheath. Usually caused by twisting and forceful gripping motions with the hands.

Director means the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or designated representative.

Employee representative (1910.900) means, where appropriate, a recognized or certified collective bargaining agent.

Engineering controls (1910.900) are physical changes to a job that reduce MSD hazards. Examples of engineering controls include changing or redesigning workstations, tools, facilities, equipment, materials, or processes.

Follow-up (1910.900) means the process or protocol an employer or HCP uses to check on the condition of an employee after a work restriction is imposed on that employee.

Health care professionals (HCPs) (1910.900) are physicians or other licensed health care professionals whose legally permitted scope of practice (e.g., license, registration or certification) allows them to provide independently or to be delegated the responsibility to carry out some or all of the MSD management requirements of this standard.

The science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions that may cause worker injuries and illnesses.Job (1910.900) means the physical work activities or tasks that an employee performs. This standard considers jobs to be the same if they involve the same physical work activities or tasks, even if the jobs have different titles or classifications.Kinesiology: Study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement.

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) (1910.900) is a disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels, or spinal discs. For purposes of this standard, this definition only includes MSDs in the following areas of the body that have been associated with exposure to risk factors: neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, abdomen (hernia only), back knee, ankle, and foot. MSDs include muscle strains and tears, ligaments sprains, joint and tendon inflammation, pinched nerves, and spinal disc degeneration. MSDs include such medical conditions as: low back pain, tension neck syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome, DeQuervain's syndrome, trigger finger, tarsal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, epicondylitis, tendinitis, Raynaud's phenomemon, hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), carpet layer's knee, and herniated spinal disc. Injuries arising from slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or similar accidents are not considered MSDs for purposes of this standard.

MSD hazard (1910.900) means the presence of risk factors in the job that occur at a magnitude, duration, or frequency that is reasonably likely to cause MSDs that can result in work restrictions or medical treatment beyond first aid.

MSD incident (1910.900) means an MSD that is work-related, and requires medical treatment beyond first-aid, or MSD signs or MSD symptoms that last for 7 or more consecutive days after the employee reports them.

MSD signs (1910.900) are objective physical findings that an employee may be developing an MSD. Examples of MSD signs are:(1) Decreased range of motion;(2) Deformity;(3) Decreased grip strength;(4) Loss of function.

MSD symptoms (1910.900) are physical indications that an employee may be developing an MSD. For purposes of this standard, MSD symptoms do not include discomfort. Examples of MSD symptoms include:(1) Pain;(2) Numbness;(3) Tingling;(4) Burning;(5) Cramping; and(6) Stiffness.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) (1910.900) is equipment employees wear that provides a protective barrier between the employee and an MSD hazard. Examples of PPE are vibration-reduction gloves and carpet layer's knee pads.Problem job (1910.900) means a job that the employer has determined poses an MSD hazard to employees in that job.

Raynaud's syndrome, or white finger: Blood vessels of the hand are damaged from repeated exposure to vibration over a long period of time. The skin and muscles do not get the necessary oxygen from the blood and eventually die. Symptoms include intermittent numbness and tingling in the fingers; pale, ashen, and cold skin; eventual loss of sensation and control in the hands and fingers.

Risk Factor (1910.900) means, for the purposes of this standard: force, awkward posture, repetition, vibration, and contact stress.

Tendon infammation occurring when a muscle or tendon is repeatedly tensed from overuse or unaccustomed use.

Inflammation or injury to the synovial sheath surrounding the tendon. Usually results from excessive repetitive motion.

A tendon disorder that occurs when there is a groove in the flexing tendon of the finger. If the tendon becomes locked in the sheath, attempts to move the finger cause snapping and jerking movements. Usually associated with using tools that have handles with hard or sharp edges.

Work practice controls (1910.900) are changes in the way an employee performs the physical work activities of a job that reduce or control exposure to MSD hazards. Work practice controls involve procedures and methods for safe work. Examples of work practice controls for MSD hazards include:(1) Use of neutral postures to perform tasks (straight wrists, lifting close to the body);(2) Use of two-person lift teams;(3) Observance of micro breaks.

(1910.900) means that an exposure in the workplace caused or contributed to an MSD or significantly aggravated a pre-existing MSD.

Work restriction protection (WRP) (1910.900) means the maintenance of the earnings and other employment rights and benefits of employees who are on temporary work restrictions. Benefits include seniority and participation in insurance programs, retirements benefits and savings plans.

Work restrictions (1910.900) are limitations, during the recovery period, on an injured employee's exposure to MSD hazards. Work restrictions may involve limitations on the work activities of the employee's current job (light duty), transfer to temporary alternative duty jobs, or temporary removal from the workplace to recover. For the purposes of this standard, temporarily reducing an employee's work requirements in a new job in order to reduce muscle soreness resulting from the use of muscles in an unfamiliar way is not a work restriction. The day an employee first reports an MSD is not considered a day away from work, or a day of work restriction, even if the employee is removed from his or her regular duties for part of the day.

You (1910.900) means the employer as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).------------------------------------------------------------------------Revision Date: 21 November 2000