A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits to Prevent WMSD* Hazards *Work-Related Musculo-Skeletal Disorders

DISCLAIMER These recommended limits are to be used only as a reference for safe work practices. Recommended limits in the slides are voluntary. Their application aren’t required by employers, businesses or workers in Washington. They are intended to support business owners and employees efforts to reduce and prevent musculoskeletal disorders in their workplaces.

What You Will Learn  Recommended limits to prevent work- related musculoskeletal disorders or WMSDs such as back sprain, strain, shoulder sprain, arm and wrist tendonitis, etc. How to apply these limits to any job or operation in your business, as part of your safety and health program or best work practices. To slide 28 for additional information

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Topics covered Forceful pinching, gripping Forceful pinching, gripping Intensive keying Intensive keying Hand-arm vibration Hand-arm vibration Repetitive motion Repetitive motion Lifting Awkward postures Awkward postures HOME To slide 28 for additional information

A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards Throughout these slides you will notice the: Recommended Limit sign. Don’t go over these limits in any job or activity. This will help to keep your employees healthy. This may also help to reduce company expenses and losses.

LIFTING A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards

Lifting  75 pounds once a day is a heavy lift

Lifting  55 pounds, 10 times a day is a heavy lift

Lifting  25 pounds, above the shoulders, below the knees or at arms length, 25 times a day is an awkward lift

Lifting  10 pounds, twice per minute, two hours a day is a frequent lift

AWKWARD POSTURES A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards

Awkward postures  Hands above the head or elbows above the shoulders is an awkward posture

Awkward postures  Neck or back bent more than 30 degrees is an awkward posture

Awkward postures  Kneeling is an awkward posture

Awkward postures  Squatting is an awkward posture

FORCEFUL PINCHING, GRIPPING A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards

Forceful pinching  Pinching an object weighing 2 pounds (like the force needed to pinch half a ream of paper), is a forceful pinch

Forceful gripping  Gripping an object weighing 10 pounds (like the force needed to clamp automobile jumper cables onto a battery), is a forceful grip

REPETITIVE MOTION A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards

Repetitive motion  Repeating the same motion with the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands, every few seconds is repetitive motion

INTENSIVE KEYING A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards

Intensive Keying  Keying regularly, more than 4 hours total per day is intensive keying

HAND-ARM VIBRATION A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards

Hand-arm vibration  Using high vibrating tools like impact wrenches, chain saws, jack hammers, riveting hammers, more than 30 minutes total per day is high hand-arm vibration

Hand-arm vibration  Using moderate vibrating tools like grinders, sanders, jigsaws, more than 2 hours total per day is moderate hand-arm vibration

Additional information On WMSD hazardous exposures visit the WISHA webpage at: You may also write us at: Example Template of an accident prevention program : Ideas to reduce hazardous exposures can be found at the Ergonomics Ideas Bank Ergonomics Ideas Bank A Quick Guide on Recommended Limits for WMSD Hazards