WHAT IS BIOMECHANICAL RISK? - JOB - 2025

The biomechanical risk refers to all those external elements acting on a person performing a specific activity. The object of study of biomechanics has to do with how a worker is affected by the forces, postures and intrinsic movements of the work activities he performs.

There is a biomechanical risk when performing tasks that require greater effort by the worker than the muscle is willing to exert. This can have serious health consequences: from specific temporary ailments to permanent injuries.

There are a number of biomechanical risk factors that can occur in the workplace and that can affect workers.

Most common biomechanical risks

- Factors of working conditions

Working conditions are essential to avoid biomechanical risks. Both in administrative and operational tasks, it is important to take into account some elements that can be very harmful if they are not considered properly.

The following are some of the working conditions that may represent a biomechanical risk:

Force

Applying more force than you are capable of can lead to health difficulties. These difficulties can arise when a large force is applied at one time, or when a less intense force is applied, but in a sustained manner.

When more force is applied than the muscles or tendons of the body can withstand, injury is possible.

Position

In any activity that is carried out, the posture of the body must be observed, because a bad body position can lead to muscular ailments and even deviations, which lead to long-term discomfort.

The proper posture, whatever the activity performed, should seek the alignment of the body. The shoulders should be projected back and down, the chest should be elevated, the face should be high and the neck aligned with the spine.

The lumbar area must be protected: if the person is sitting, the lower part of the back must be supported comfortably by the seat; if the person is standing, she should try to center her pelvis, so that a curve in the lower back is avoided.

Movements

There are a number of movements that must be done carefully so as not to injure the body. All movements must be performed in a certain way to avoid injury: care must be taken from the way you bend down to lift a heavy box, to the way you place your hands on a keyboard when typing.

It is important to remember that both single movements that require a lot of effort, as well as repetitive movements that require less use of force, can cause injuries if performed incorrectly.

- Organizational factors

There are other factors that can mean biomechanical risks, such as those that have to do with the organizational aspects of the work.

It is not just about the specific tasks that the worker will perform, but about the amount of work they do and how much time they should spend on those tasks.

Workload

The workload refers to both the physical effort applied and the amount of work to be done.

The amount of work must be adapted to the possibilities of the worker, and demands greater than those he can respond to must be avoided in order to preserve his health and promote good performance.

Duration of the day

Many hours at a time doing repetitive movements, standing, or exerting physical force can be harmful to workers.

However, there are trades whose nature requires these actions by the worker, as in the case of office workers, waiters, cargo operators, among others. Controlling working hours is essential to protect workers' health.

- Environmental factors

Environmental factors strongly affect workers. An unsuitable environment can cause injuries and discomfort to people.

Work space

If the person works seated, the height of the chair must be adapted to that of the user and the feet must rest on the floor.

The backrest should allow the back to rest; Sitting properly is essential for those with lower back pain, as it allows the area to relax.

A cushioned seat reduces stress on the glutes and sit bones, and allows the worker to sit up without injury. The chair must also be mobile, so that the body has a margin of movement.

If the person works standing up, the workspace must allow them to keep moving, thus avoiding standing in the same position. You should also wear appropriate footwear that provides comfort.

And if the person must lift heavy loads, they must use a belt that protects their lower back.

illumination

The space in which they work must be properly lit, so that the worker does not have to force his eyes to carry out his work. The light should not be too opaque or too intense, but should be tailored to the needs of the employee.

Work materials

The tools used by the worker must be designed and adjusted to the task that the worker must perform.

The seat, the desk, the electronic equipment, the tools, among other furniture and other elements, must be perfectly adapted to the work to be done.

Ventilation

An enclosed space, without natural air intakes, with high or low temperatures, or with air stale by gases or dust, can affect the respiratory system of workers and reduce their performance.

It is recommended to have ventilation systems that regulate temperatures, purify the air and remove excess dust.

Preventions

Whether the worker is sitting or standing, in addition to having the right furniture and tools, it is important to keep the body moving. You need to take breaks to stretch and relax; almost immediately, the user will feel greater well-being.

The conditions must be the most comfortable and appropriate to avoid discomfort and injuries that may affect the long term, such as neck pain, low back pain, joint pain, the appearance of varicose veins due to difficulty in blood circulation, and even heart discomfort.

References

1. Marras, W., Lavender, S., Leurgans, S., Fathallah, F., Ferguson, S., Allread, W. and Rajulu, S. “Biomechanical risk factors for occupationally related low back disorders” (1995) in Spine Research Institute. Retrieved on August 9, 2017 from Spine Research Institute: spine.osu.edu.
2. "Prevention of ergonomic risks" in the Regional Confederation of Business Organizations of Murcia. Retrieved on August 9, 2017 from the Regional Confederation of Murcia Business Organizations: croem.es.
3. "Occupational health. Biomechanical Risk ”at Integral Business Continuity Services. Retrieved on August 9, 2017 from Integral Business Continuity Services: ibcs.co.
4. Marras, W., Heany, C., Allread, W., Burr, D., Ferguson, S., Fujishiro, K and Ashida, S. “Biomechanical and psychosocial risks for low back pain” (January 2007) in Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on August 9, 2017 from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov.
5. Colombini, D. and Occhipinti, E. “Risks analysis and management of repetitive actions” (2014) in Google Books. Retrieved on August 9, 2017 from Google Books: books.google.com.