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General Solutions:
Shoulders, Back, and Neck
 The following describes common ergonomic risk factors (such as reaching and tilting the head back) that may increase the chance of injury and pain to the shoulder, neck, and upper back. General solutions that may minimize the possibility of injury and pain are also presented.
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| Shoulders: Extended Reaches |
Repeatedly lifting the arms or reaching can irritate the tendons or Bursa of the shoulder leading to an
increased risk of developing of chronic injuries such as Bursitis or Rotator Cuff Tendinitis.
Holding, lifting or supporting a load with the arm pulled away from the body in an elevated or extended posture increases
the risk of developing acute injuries such as muscle strain or rotator cuff tears. Working for prolonged periods with the arms in an elevated posture
or behind the back can lead to increased risk of developing impingement injuries of the blood vessels or nerves such as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Potential Hazards:
Overhead Reaches
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Working with the elbow above shoulder height for prolonged periods can trap nerves and blood vessels under bone and muscle, leading to numbness and tingling in the hands, and can fatigue the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm.
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Repeatedly lifting or applying force with arms above shoulder level can strain the muscles and tendons of the shoulder and neck, making them more susceptible to tears and fatigue. Bursitis and tendinitis can result from irritation as these tasks are repeatedly performed.
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Possible Solutions:
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Use height-adjustable work platforms to elevate employees and reduce the need for elevated or
extended reaches. An employee who is optimally elevated in
relation to a work table or conveyor will be able to perform the task with the elbow in close to the body instead of lifting the arm to work on tasks that are too high.
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Use stools or ladders to elevate the employee so the task can be performed with the elbows close to the body. For example, library ladders elevate the person so
he or she can reach a book
rather than forcing him or her to reach upper shelves.
- Provide assist equipment to mechanically lift and hold materials above the head so employees
do not maintain awkward postures for extended
periods. For example, a sheet rock lift holds the panel in place while it is secured to the ceiling.
- Use extending tools or handles to eliminate working with arms above shoulder level. The
extended handle (shown at right) allows employees
to access the upper reaches of work areas while still keeping the elbows in close to the torso.
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Adjustable-height platforms.
| Problem lift. |
Use lift assist equipment. |
Extended tool handles.
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Potential Hazards:
Horizontal Reaches
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Using repetitive or prolonged forward reaching that pulls the elbow away from the body forces the shoulder to support the weight of the arm
and any load in the hand. This is a weak position for the shoulder, making it more susceptible to muscle strain and tears. Repeatedly performing these tasks can irritate the tendons, increasing the risk of
tendinitis and bursitis.
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Performing horizontal motions such as pushing materials down a conveyor line with the arms extended increases the risk of
muscle and tendon strain and overexertion.
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Possible Solutions:
- Redesign work stations so control equipment and products can be reached
while maintaining the elbows in close to the body. In the
example at the right the task has been rotated 90 degrees so the
employee does not need to reach to perform the task.
- Position work areas to allow elbows to be kept close to the
body. Impediments such as work tables, bins, or power
equipment should be removed so employees can move closer to
the task.
- Use conveyors, roller tables, or low-friction surfaces when
moving a load to another area instead of manually pushing it
across a standard work bench. Pushing motions across the front
of the body should be avoided.
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Reduce the width of conveyor belts or use diverters to keep materials close to the
employee's body. Most functions should be performed with the elbows in close to the torso.
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Support the arms
or the weight of the object to take the stress off the shoulder area. For
example, a counterbalance will support the weight of a tool so the employee
does not have to support it.
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Repositioned work station.
Conveyor diverters.
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Potential Hazards:
- Reaching and lifting behind the plane of the body stretches and kinks nerves and blood vessels and places the shoulder in a weak
posture. This increases the risk of acute injuries such as muscle tears and strain.
- Performing tasks that pull the shoulders back and down, for example, postal
employee carrying a letter carrier bag.
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Reaching behind.
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Possible Solutions:
- Arrange most materials and supplies that must be accessed repetitively so they are in front of the body and can be easily reached with the elbows in close to the torso. These items should be within the "windshield wiper area" created when you sweep your arms in front of the body and at your side.
Materials that are accessed only occasionally can be placed further out.
- Lift items that weigh more than a few pounds in front of the torso. For
example, place your briefcase in the front seat so you do not need to reach behind your body to retrieve
it, or get out of the car
and open the back door so you can lift the briefcase while it is in front of your body.
- Use a cart, not you shoulders, to support and carry loads.
- Use shoulder strap bags to minimize the load to be carried.
- Use dual, instead of single, straps to carry loads such as a backpack since this will place less weight on each
shoulder.
- Use broad padded strap supports to distribute and minimize
pressure.
- Use waist straps to transfer the load from the shoulders to
the waist.
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Keep most work activities within repetitive access area.
Mail cart.
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| Neck: Awkward Postures |
Potential Hazards:
- Repeatedly tilting the head forward, backward, or to the
side, or holding it in these positions for prolonged periods
can fatigue the shoulder and upper back muscles. Examples are, tilting the head forward to perform assembly line work,
tilting the head backward to perform overhead work, or
looking to the side to use a poorly placed computer monitor. These postures can also pinch the nerves
as they radiate out from the spine and must pass through
clenched muscle groups.
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Awkward neck postures.
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Possible Solutions:
- Use height-adjustable work platforms so employees can be raised or lowered to minimize forward or
backward head tilting.
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Use height-adjustable work surfaces or lift
tables to minimize tilting of the head and bending of the
neck. For example, computer monitors
should not be above eye level.
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Tilt work surfaces toward employee such as drafting tables so the head can be held straight.
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Minimize prolonged overhead activity by rotating employee tasks that require
prolonged awkward head postures or by providing rest periods.
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Height-adjustable platforms.
Raise and tilt worktables.
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