Environmental Health & Safety

Ergonomics Glossary

ANSI:
The American National Standards Institute is a voluntary membership organization that develops consensus standards for a wide variety of devices and procedures. ANSI has been responsible for the development of nationally recognized design guidelines for computer workstations (ANSI/HFS 100-2007).

Anthropometry:
The measurement of the human individual for the purposes of understanding human physical variation.

Awkward Posture:
Deviation from the natural or "neutral" position of a body part. A neutral position is one that puts minimal stress on the body part. Awkward postures typically include reaching above or behind, twisting, bending forward or backward, pinching, squatting, and kneeling. Working frequently in awkward postures can cause fatigue, pain, and musculoskeletal injury.

Best Practices:
Techniques, processes, or methods which are believed at more effective towards a specific outcome than any other technique, process, or method.

Biomechanics:
The application of mechanical principles to living organisms.

Duration:
Duration refers to the amount of time a person is continually exposed to a risk factor.

Ergonomics:
The science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers' bodies.

Extension:
A movement that increases the angle between the parts of a joint.

Fatigue:
A condition that results when the body cannot provide enough energy for the muscles to perform a task.

Flexion:
A movement that decreases the angle between the parts of a joint.

Force:
The amount of physical effort needed to do a task.

Frequency:
How many times a person repeats a given exertion within a given period of time.

Glare:
Uneven or over-illumination capable of affecting performance and comfort.

Ergonomic Hazards:
Workplace conditions that pose a biomechanical stress to the worker.

Ligaments:
Tough cords or fibrous bands of connective tissue that binds bone to bone. This strengthens and provides flexibility to a joint.

Manual Material Handling:
Lifting, carrying, and moving materials without the help of mechanical equipment.

Muscle:
A major type of tissue that is adapted to contract.

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD):
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) -- an injury or illness of soft tissues of the upper extremity (fingers through upper arm), shoulders and neck, low back, and lower extremity (hips through toes) that is primarily caused or exacerbated by workplace risk factors, such as sustained and repeated exertions or awkward postures and manipulations.

Musculoskeletal System:
The soft tissues and bones in the body. The parts of the musculoskeletal system are bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, nerves, and blood vessels.

Nerve:
Cord like fibers that carry the signals controlling body movement and allowing senses like sight and touch to work.

Neutral Body Positioning:
A principle which refers to a comfortable working posture in which one's joints are naturally aligned. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system and reduces your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

NIOSH:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Department of Health and Human Services, is the federal government agency with a mandate to conduct and fund occupational safety and health research and training.

Oregon OSHA (OR-OSHA):
Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They are the agency authorized under the Oregon Safe Employment Act (OSEA) to enforce the state's workplace safety and health rules.

Posture:
The position or configuration of a joint or the human body.

Range of Motion:
The limits of movement of a joint or the body.

Recovery Time:
Breaks or change in activities that allow an individual to recover from previous exertions.

Repetition:
Performing similar exertions over a specified amount of time.

Risk Factor:
Risk factor (stressor) -- a characteristic of the work environment that research has shown to be associated with an elevated occurrence or severity of MSDs. Examples include repetitiveness of activity, force required, and awkwardness of posture.

Safe Work Practices:
Safe work practices are guidelines which are established to help workers perform a task safely.

Soft Tissues:
Tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body.

Static Exertion:
Physical exertions in which the same position or posture is maintained throughout the exertion.

Strain:
An injury caused by a muscle, tendon, or ligament stretching.

Task Analysis:
A method that is used to identify, evaluate, and eliminate or control ergonomic risk factors.

Tendon:
Tough rope-like material that connects the muscles to the bones. Tendons transfer forces and movements from the muscles to the bones. Tendons do not stretch, and excessive force or twisting may cause them to tear or fray like a rope.

Intervertebral Disc:
Discs that sit between the bones of the spinal column (vertebrae) in the back and neck. The discs act as cushions or "shock absorbers" between the bones. Discs have a strong outer wall and a soft inner gel.

Workstation:
The area, equipment, and furniture used by a worker when performing tasks and functions.