Controlling ergonomic hazards should usually address the following limits for body postures:

• Generally, the torso should not be bent forward farther than 20 to 30 degrees from vertical.
• Reaches should be limited vertically and horizontally to those areas where the elbows can remain in close to the torso.
• The wrist should not be bent either up or down, or to either side.
• The forearm should not be repeatedly rotated especially when the wrist is bent.
• The head should not be bent either forward or backward.
• The torso should not be twisted especially when lifting or bending.

Training employees should include the following:

• The basics of biomechanics, or how much force can be placed upon the body before it breaks down;
• The specific safe ergonomic work procedures for their particular tasks;
• How and why to properly adjust their work fixtures and equipment;
• Early warning signs of ergonomic injury;
• Procedures for reporting ergonomic injuries; and
• Procedures for post-reporting follow-up to minimize the chance of long term injury.

Examples:

• Platforms raise employees so they can reduce elevated reaches.
• Narrower conveyors and cutting surfaces reduce distant reaches.
• Bent handled knives allow cuts to be made with the wrist in a neutral position.
• Spring loaded scissors relieve contact stress to the hand.
• Palletizers allow loading at waist height.
• Reducing the size of boxes limits the weight of a box.
• Tubs with an adjustable floor raise the load to eliminate the need for reaching down to remove product.
• Ramping conveyors allows placement of shorter employees in positions where they can reach the line.

Early warning symptoms of ergonomic injury may include: