Chapter Ten – ERGONOMIC HAZARDS: MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSDS)
AND CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS (CTDS)
TRUE OR FALSE: Place T or F in the space provided.
_____1. Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary science that seeks to conform the
workplace and all of its physiological aspects to the worker.
_____2. Standing for extended periods, particularly in one place, can produce
unsafe levels of stress on the back, legs, and feet.
_____3. The focus of an ergonomics program is to make the job #t the person;
not to make the person #t the job.
_____4. Repetitive strain injury is an umbrella term that covers a number of
cumulative trauma disorders.
_____5. RSI is caused by forceful or awkward hand movements repeated
frequently.
_____6. The meat packing industry has a low incidents of cumulative trauma
disorders (CTDs).
_____7. identification of ergonomic hazards is based on ergonomic risk
factors.
_____8. Tools used within the workplace should be checked for excessive
vibration.
_____9. Jobs that are repetitive involve short-cycle motion that is repeated
continually.
_____10. The purpose of baseline health surveillance is to prevent people
from performing work.
_____11. OSHA’s Ergonomic Standard passed but was later repealed.
_____12. Workers’ compensation claims for MSDs and CTDs are fewer than
generally thought by the public.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Circle the letter before the correct answer.
1. Frequent and constant computer use has lead to an explosion of injuries.
These injuries are known as
A. RSIs
B. IRSs
C. VDTs
D. None of the above
2. Understanding the hazards associated with a job or process is provided by
training and education to which of the following?
A. Managers
B. Supervisors
C. Employees
D. All of the above
3. One way to reduce stress among the employees within the workplace is to
do which of the following?
A. Increase the number of managers
B. Increase production
C. Provide adjustable machines or work surfaces
D. Increase wages
4. In the age of high technology, what is the key to the most signiticant and
enduring productivity and improvement?
A. Robotic involvement
B. Human involvement
C. Computer involvement
D. Laser beam involvement
5. OSHA publishes guidelines for general safety and health program
management that
A. Are voluntary
B. Provide employers with information
C. Provide employers with guidance needed to meet their obligations
D. All of the above
6. Which of the following statements is more accurate concerning OSHA’s
Ergonomic Standard?
A. There is still much disagreement between businesses and OSHA
concerning the need for an Ergonomic Standard.
B. Most businesses agree that an Ergonomic Standard is needed.
C. OSHA’s plans for having an Ergonomic standard are very popular
with businesses.
D. None of the above are accurate.
12. T
6. A
Chapter Ten – Ergonomic Hazards: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
1. De#ne the term ergonomics and explain its origins.
2. Explain how the following opposing factors can inDuence the amount of
physical stress associated with a job: sitting versus standing, large versus
small demand for strength/power, nonrepetitive versus repetitive motion.
3. Explain the concept of human factors and how it relates to ergonomics.
4. Name the elements of OSHA’s ergonomic guidelines.
5. What are the four main parts of OSHA’s recommended worksite analysis
program for ergonomics?
6. List #ve risk factors associated with CTDs.
7. BrieDy explain the steps in conducting an ergonomic job hazard analysis.
8. BrieDy explain the components of a hazard prevention and control
program.
9. Who should participate in an ergonomic training program?
10. List and brieDy explain three common indicators of the existence of
ergonomic problems.
11. Describe three approaches that can be used to pinpoint specific
ergonomic problems.
12. Describe an ergonomic problem-solving strategy for each of the following
types of work: seated repetitive work with light parts, work with hands above
the chest, work with hand tools.
13. Explain why so little hard research has been done concerning the
economics of ergonomics.
14. De#ne the term CTD. Describe the most common types.