1. Terri Brinston “The study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities”

2.  The greatest risk to healthcare workers.  Caused by repeated injuries over time  Lifting and transferring pt. trigger more than 73% of back pain or strain cases  Preventing Back Injury  Maintain good body posture  Use protective lifting devices  ACT safely when lifting and transferring pt.  Keep physically fit

3. 1. Begin by thinking about your posture. Stand tall, head erect, back straight, shoulders back, abdomen in, and weight evenly divided between the feet. Stand like this for 60 seconds. Are you feeling any strain? If so, you need to work on your posture. 2. Your center of gravity is in your pelvis. Standing with your back straight and your body in good alignment will help center your weight over your feet. Now lean to the left, lean to the right, lean forward, and lean back. Can you feel your center of gravity? 3. Your base of support is your feet. A wide base of support (8”-10”) has more stability, but not too wide, or you will lose your center of gravity. With your feet together, have your partner gently push your shoulder while you try to maintain your balance. Now widen your base of support and try it again.

4. 4. For greater stability, place one foot slightly in front of the other. Can you tell the difference? 5. Place a large book on the floor. To pick it up, keep your back straight, bend your knees and squat down next to the object. Now, pick it up, hold it close to your body, and stand. You should feel your leg muscles doing the work and not your back. 6. Standing in front of a chair, pick it up using your arm muscles and bring it close to your body, then move your feet to turn your body as a unit with the chair, pointing your toes in the direction you are moving. This is the correct way to turn. Try it again but twist instead of moving your feet. Do you feel the strain?

5. 7. Try to gently and safely move a desk a few inches by pulling or pushing, using your body weight. Then try lifting. With each movement, feel the muscles that are working. It is easier to push, pull or roll an object that it is to lift it. 8. Sit back in a chair with a slight curve in the small of your back and your feet flat on the floor, shoulders back and head up. This is good sitting posture. 9. To stand, plant your feet firmly on the floor and push with your leg muscles to stand, bending slightly at the hips.

6. a. Stand close to the load b. Keep both feet flat, bend your knees slightly c. Hips bend a little as you keep your spine in neutral d. Keep the load close to your body e. Use your feet and legs to turn. Do not twist your back f. Don’t lift objects above shoulder height or below the waist g. Always keep your working surface slightly higher than waist level to avoid back strain. h. If you have to push or pull, stay close to the load i. When you have to stand minimize back strain by placing one food on a stool. j. Change positions frequently

7. a. Hoists, walking belts, shower chairs, repositioning devices, weighing devices. b. Eliminating manual lifting and transfers c. Reducing the number of pt transfers

8. a. Assess – the situation for hazards before you begin a. Create – a safe workplace by organizing your space, stable chairs and bed and avoid unpredictable movement of furnisher. a. Transfer – lock the wheels, give instructions, use proper supplies, good body mechanics

9. a. CTS – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome b. Prevention: rest wrists, mini-breaks, flex & extend, hang arms and hands down.

10. a. Adjust chair b. Reduce Glare c. Pad sharp edges d. Feet flat e. Relax your eyes frequently

11. a. Aerobic activity b. Strengthening exercises c. Flexibility exercises