Personal Contributing Factors

There can be a number of contributing factors unrelated to the workplace that can increase the severity of an injury or make a worker more prone to injury.

Age - older workers may need more time to recover from injuries, and younger workers may be less aware of safe work habits.

Gender - the center of gravity and physical strength and flexibility can differ for female and male workers.

Hobbies - workers that engage in hobbies that put stress on their bodies, such as knitting, playing a musical instrument, using home computers, and doing other physical work, may not be allowing their bodies time to heal from similar workplace stress.

Medical conditions - conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, poor physical condition, obesity, and heart disease put workers at higher risk for injury and may require longer recovery times.

Physical factors - physical fitness, weight, diet, and lifestyle choices can all influence susceptibility to MSDs.

Previous injuries - muscles, bones, and tendons that have been previously injured may be more easily re-injured.

Psychological factors - workplace or personal stress, low level of job security and satisfaction, and lack of social and emotional support can contribute to physical and mental fatigue, which can lead to injuries.

To learn more about Labor & Industry Ergonomics visit our Labor & Industry Ergonomics Online Training web page.