Risk Factors

There are many risk factors that can increase the chances of developing a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs), including the following:

• Awkward postures
• Forceful exertion
• Repetitive motions
• Contact stress
• Static posture
• Vibration
• Environment
• Personal Contributing Factors

Having one or more of these risk factors at your job does not mean that you will develop a MSD. However, the more exposure you have to multiple risk factors at once, the more likely an injury will occur. Ergonomic hazards are influenced by the following factors:

• Duration - how long you are exposed to it. It usually takes hours for a risk factor to become a concern. The exposure can happen all at once or cumulatively throughout the day.
• Frequency - how often you are exposed to it and how much rest you receive in between periods of exposure. This factor refers to the speed of work. In production jobs, workers often get paid by the amount of product that is loaded, assembled, stacked, etc. When combined with force and duration, a worker's potential for injury is significantly increased.
• Intensity - how much of a risk factor there is. This may include the weight of an object that is lifted or carried, the grip or pinch force used, or the vibration level.

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