Researchers Look at Ways to Reduce Workplace Injuries by Tackling Fatigue

Researchers at the University of New Brunswick are considering new approaches to the prevention of workplace injuries.  They're specifically looking at how fatigue affects muscle strain.

There has been a lot of focus on the prevention of back injuries in the workplace in recent years.  However, much of the research in this area has been conducted in ideal conditions.  For instance, most research seems to focus on stress on the back, when persons are engaged in lifting objects while standing on a flat, stable floor.  There is very little research that shows how the back, shoulder and other related muscles are affected when the same person is lifting things, standing on a moving boat or shop floor in motion.

The researchers are looking at how performing the same tasks again and again over a period of time, can reduce the soft tissue's ability to resist injury.  For instance, when a worker performs the same tasks over and over again, he may soon discard the approved techniques, and adopt newer ones after fatigue sets in.  This can further increase his risk of injuries.

Ergonomic injuries or musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive stress are a serious problem in the US workplace.  These injuries leave thousands of workers in an unemployable capacity and left with no choice, but to retire from the workforce early.  There are devices to prevent these injuries.  However, workers using these devices have ended up with increased strain on the shoulders and upper extremities.  As a consequence, shoulder and upper extremity injuries in the American workplace are on the rise.

Houston workplace accident lawyers agree that there is no point in protecting the worker from back injuries, only to leave him at a serious risk of rotator cuff injuries and other shoulder and upper extremity injuries.  This is one neglected area of worker safety that we need more focus on.