Strains or Sprains

Poor workplace ergonomics can contribute to injuries from strains or sprains.

A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament (the bands of fibrous tissue that connect your joints).

A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon (tissue that connects your muscles to your bones). Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain can be as simple as an overstretching of a muscle or tendon, or it can be the result of a partial or complete tear.

Strains or sprains can be caused by the following:

• Heavy lifting
• Falls or tripping
• Carrying unbalanced loads
• Awkward posture

To learn more about Construction Ergonomics visit our Construction Ergonomics Online Training web page.