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Repeating Movements and Their Secondary Injury Prevention

Agricultural work with physical restrictions heightens danger in an already perilous profession, potentially leading to additional injuries. These additional injuries are often due to overexertion in tasks beyond the farmer's capabilities. Injuries resulting from repeated motions can be avoided...

Repeating Movements and Their Potential Injuries: A Focus on Prevention
Repeating Movements and Their Potential Injuries: A Focus on Prevention

Repeating Movements and Their Secondary Injury Prevention

In the farming industry, Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs) are a common concern due to the nature of the work. To combat this issue, a focus on tools, work area design, and ergonomic practices is essential.

**1. Tools: The Importance of Ergonomic and Adaptive Equipment**

Choosing the right tools can significantly reduce the risk of RMIs. Tools with curved, cushioned, and extended handles keep wrists in a neutral position, reducing joint strain. Lightweight and easy-grip options are ideal, as they minimise the force needed for operation. Modifying existing tools with foam padding can also improve grip comfort and reduce pressure.

Assistive devices such as garden kneelers, seats, or scooters can help reduce physical strain during tasks that require prolonged kneeling or moving along rows. When mechanized tools or equipment are available, opt for those co-designed with farmers to reduce sprains and strains.

**2. Work Area Design: Optimising Layout and Reducing Manual Handling**

Designing workspaces and tasks to minimise awkward postures and excessive manual handling is crucial. This includes arranging workspace heights to avoid bending and twisting. Tools and supplies should be within easy reach to reduce unnecessary movements. Automation or mechanical aids can eliminate hazardous repetitive manual tasks, and rotating manual tasks among workers prevents continuous repetitive strain on the same muscle groups and joints.

**3. Ergonomic Best Practices: Posture, Movement, and Rest**

Maintaining a neutral wrist and body position during repetitive tasks is vital. Avoiding static postures by shifting weight frequently, using footrests or stools, and alternating hand positions during tool use can reduce muscle fatigue. Regular breaks, such as resting for 10 minutes after every 30 minutes of work, allow muscles to recover and prevent overuse injuries.

Planning farm tasks to vary the workload throughout the day and week aids in energy conservation and reduces prolonged repetitive motion.

Applying ice to pain can help manage RMIs, while well-maintained tools and equipment can prevent them. Splints can relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves in RMIs, and physical therapy can help relieve soreness, pain, swelling, and strengthen joints.

Secondary injuries in farming often occur due to work tasks exceeding a farmer's abilities. Any work that forces a person into an "unnatural" position can lead to RMIs. Other factors contributing to repetitive strain include excessive work rates, lack of job variation, speed of repetitious tasks, poorly maintained equipment, stress, length of workday, and vibration.

Farming with physical limitations increases the risk of injuries in an already dangerous occupation. The most affected body parts in repetitive motion injuries include the musculoskeletal system, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Alternating highly repetitive tasks with low repetition tasks can help prevent RMIs, as can taking breaks and frequently stretching.

Guidelines to Prevent Repetitive Motion Injuries advise to avoid overuse of one body part to compensate for another. Repetitive motion injuries can be caused by rapid movements, forceful movements, static loading, and a combination of these factors.

For a comprehensive guide on ergonomic practices, refer to the Ohio AgrAbility fact sheet AEX-981.6.

  1. Incorporating scientific advancements in tool design can provide farmers with ergonomic equipment that reduces the likelihood of RMIs, such as tools with cushioned handles that keep wrists in a neutral position.
  2. To design work areas that minimize RMIs, workplace layout should be optimized to avoid awkward postures, excessive manual handling, and bending, with tools and supplies kept within easy reach.
  3. Adopting ergonomic best practices is crucial in preventing RMIs. These include maintaining neutral wrist and body positions during repetitive tasks, taking regular breaks, and varying workloads throughout the day.
  4. Embracing health and wellness initiatives such as fitness and exercise, nutrition, therapies, and treatments can assist in managing medical conditions and chronic diseases, ultimately reducing the risk of RMIs.
  5. Following guidelines to prevent RMIs, farmers should avoid overusing one body part to compensate for another, and be aware of factors contributing to repetitive strain, such as excessive work rates, lack of job variation, and poorly maintained equipment.

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