1. Healthy Work Habits for Injury Prevention

2. Objectives: Increase awareness of ways to prevent injury
Understand what is a ‘Musculoskeletal Injury’ (MSI)
Raise Awareness of Risk Factors for MSIs
Review “STABLE” principles - concept of body mechanics
Apply STABLE principles to tasks of custodial workers

3. FACTS about Injuries
Research shows that injuries are rarely the result of one particular event
It is more common that injuries are “cumulative” or happen over time
As we age, our bodies’ change - decreased flexibility in our joints, weakened muscles
Increased inefficiency in our “old” work postures

4. What is a Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI)?
Definition:
An injury or disorder to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels or other related soft tissues

5. Soft Tissue Anatomy Muscles Tendons Ligaments Joints Nerves
Blood Vessels

6. MSI Risk Factors
Physical Demands of a task that pose as Risk Factors include:
Force Required
Repetition
Duration
Work Postures
Local Contact Stress

7. MSI Risk Factors (con’t)
Workplace layout
Characteristics of objects handled
Environmental conditions
Organization of work

8. Risk Factors (continued): Awkward Posture
The Spine is 16 x stronger when maintaining a neutral, S-Curve alignment

9. MSI Risk Factor Controls
GOAL is to ‘eliminate’ or ‘reduce’ identified risk factors by:
Eliminate exposure to the risk factors
Reduce intensity/magnitude of the exposure
Reduce the frequency of the exposure
Reduce the duration of the exposure

10. REALITY!
It is recognized that there are certain instances where “optimal body mechanics” are not realistic - but they are RARE - keep them rare
TIME CONSTRAINTS or WORK LOAD
Unpredictable situations
Use safe practices as often as possible to REDUCE the wear and tear of your BODY!

11. Body Mechanics
Body Mechanics refers to the movements of the body. Using correct body mechanics reduces the load of stress on the spine and joints in various positions while moving objects. In this way, good body mechanics help prevent injury.
‘S.T.A.B.L.E.’ principle is an acronym for body mechanic principles for injury prevention

12. S-T-A-B-L-E Principles:
S = Maintaining the natural curves in your SPINE
ears over the shoulder, shoulder over hips, knees ahead
eyes forward, bottom and chest out (but not over-exaggerated

13. S-T-A-B-L-E Principles
T = Avoid TRUNK TWISTING, especially when carrying weight
trunk twisting places compression forces on discs
trunk twisting places strain on the ligaments
keep shoulders over hips and keep toes pointing in direction of movement

14. S-T-A-B-L-E Principles
A = Keep ARMS close to your body
allows for improved control of objects or equipment being handled
allows for the muscles designed for carrying loads to do the work
minimizes muscles designed for movement and stabilization from having to carry loads

15. S-T-A-B-L-E Principles
B = Maintain a wide BASE OF SUPPORT
staggered stance is encouraged for maximum stability and mobility

16. S-T-A-B-L-E Principles
L = Use your LEGS to do the LIFTING
muscles in our legs are thick and rope-like and are designed for lifting
Observational research shows that it is common for workers to depend on their back and shoulders for pushing and pulling

17. S-T-A-B-L-E Principles
E = Evaluate the ENVIRONMENT, the load, your capabilities
environment = working surfaces, heights, equipment
load = size, shape, consistency, required handling

18. S-T-A-B-L-E S=Maintain natural curves in SPINE T=Avoid TRUNK TWISTING
A=Keep your ARMS close to your body
B=Maintain a wide BASE OF SUPPORT
L=Let the LEGS do the LIFTING
E=EVALUATE your environment, load and capabilities

19. Using S-T-A-B-L-E Principles for Custodial Tasks
Sweeping
Mopping
Pushing carts
Vacuuming
Emptying garbage cans
Emptying garbage into the dumpsters

20. Warm-ups and Stretch Breaks
Warm up before you work
Stretch during your shift
Increases muscle flexibility
Increases blood flow and nutrients to the muscles
Decreases chances of an injury by up to 30%

21. General Fitness Promotes muscle balance
Prepares the body for unpredictable tasks or environmental situations
A joint is only as strong as the muscles surrounding it
Flexible muscles are more efficient

22. FACT or FICTION?
1.MDs can’t always find the real cause of low back pain
2.CT scans, MRI Scans and X-Rays will always reveal the cause of pain
3.Bad backs and joints can be best fixed by surgery
4.Spine is fragile
5.If I get plenty of rest my back will get better

23. True of False?
6.Pain medication is the only effective solution for pain relief
7.Back problems are usually temporary
8.If my back/shoulder hurts more after I’ve increased activity, I’ve damaged it
9.My feelings influence my pain (when I’m angry, I feel more pain)
10. I can return to work even if I’m not 100%

24. You only have one body! Take care of it!
The End – Any Questions?
You only have one body!
Take care of it!

25. Questions and Discussion