Services - Glossary

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD's):

Pain affecting the body's muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Some of the more common MSD's include low back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), and fibromyalgia.

Ergonomic Risk Factors:

Characteristics of the workstation or work area that may result in injury. For example, a keyboard located too high increases wrist flexion which may result in possible injury with repetitive use.

Engineering Controls:

Ergonomics recommendations that will positively affect the employee's external environment, e.g. suggestions for chair, desk, and workstation set-up modifications; adjustment of current chairs to fit the employee.

Administrative Controls:

Ergonomics recommendations that will positively affect the employee's internal environment, e.g. education and correction of posture, proper body mechanics, work/rest cycles, and work organization.