Description
Unit IV Journal
What do you believe is the best approach for reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in a workplace you are familiar with? Explain your rationale.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Unit IV Case Study
Instructions
Acme Industries manufactures microwave ovens with a production workforce of 450 full-time workers. The process includes using pneumatic screwdrivers and drills and manually lifting boxes weighing up to 35 pounds from a height of 24” to a height of 36”. Over the past year, there have been 35 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and 15 cases of lower back strain reported. There were 850,000 total work hours at the facility for the year.
Calculate the combined incidence rate of MSDs and CTDs for the facility for each 100 full-time workers per year. Compare the rate to the industry rate of 1.5/100 workers/year. Do you believe the incidence rate for Acme Industries is a problem?
Describe how you would conduct a work site analysis of ergonomic issues related to the MSDs and CTDs present at the facility. Make sure you list the risk factors that you believe are related to the injuries. Include a discussion of how you would determine if stress is a risk component in the injuries and illnesses.
Finally, recommend some strategies that you believe could be used to address the MSDs and CTDs at this facility. Which regulation, standard, or guideline would you use to address the issues?
Your case study should be a minimum of two pages in length, not counting the title and reference pages. You are required to use at least two outside sources, one of which may be the textbook. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying APA citations.
Resources
The following resource(s) may help you with this assignment.
- Citation Guide
- CSU Online Library Research Guide
- Submit Math Center Request
- Submit Writing Center Request
Textbook: Goetsch, D. L. (2019). Occupational safety and health for technologists, engineers, and managers (9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Explanation & Answer
Please find attached. Let me know if you need edits.
Running head: JOURNAL ENTRIES
Journal Entries
Name
Course Number
State, University
Instructor
Date
2
JOURNAL ENTRIES
Unit IV Journal
Best Approach for Reducing MSDs and CTDs
The malfunction of musculoskeletal disorder and cumulative trauma disorder are the
major factors that result in the absence of individuals from the occupational workplace.
Musculoskeletal malfunctions primarily include disabling injuries, transitory disorders, and
malfunctions that emerge due to the exposure to light. Most of the malfunctions above emerge
due to the physical loads that are carried by employees when handling various occupational
activities in the workplace. The cumulative trauma disorders emerge due to force or repletion
and improper sitting positions. Various measures should be undertaken to control or prevent
musculoskeletal disorders and cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace. One of the best
ways of preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace is by avoiding the handling of
heavy objects. It is imperative for the individuals in the workplace to reduce the number of
handlings that they handle in a given day. The manual handling of heavy objects can result in the
overloading of the tissues. For the cumulative trauma disorder, it can be reduced through the
varying of the position of the worker and ensuring that the repetitious and continuous activities
are reduced. Work stations should be designed in such a way that they curtail the ergonomic
exposures. Ideally, curtailing of the ergonomic exposures would aid in ensuring that fatigue
among the employees is reduced an...
