sprains were accountable for a third of these, hand and wrist sprains accounted for 25%, and arm and shoulder sprains made up 20% of restricted duty sprains. The balance was reported as “other sprains”.
When comparing this data to all injury types, sprains and strains accounted for 90% of the lost days and 80% of reported days restricted duty.
Strain and Sprain Prevention As industry leaders, we have the responsibility to keep ourselves, our colleagues and those in our charge out of harm’s way, and education plays a huge part in preventing manufacturing related sprains. Not all sprains and strains happen instantly due to a one-time accident. In fact, the vast majority occur over time and are classified as repetitive strain injuries. That is why it is important to know the warning signs, which include pain, joint stiffness, muscle tightness, redness, swelling, numbness, pins and needles sensations and skin color changes. The challenge is taking the appropriate measure to prevent the onset of a strain. From Little League and Pop Warner to college athletics and pros in major leagues, injury prevention is managed through exercise and stretching. This is a highly recommended practice for the work force, our “industrial athletes”, especially for those whose activities require heavy lifting or repetitive motion. Though this practice is atypical for US manufacturers, it has been employed at many Japanese foundries with good results. I have seen it in use at a number of our US Member companies, and for this, I applaud you.
A highly recommended method of
preventing sprains and strains is the use of braces. It is commonplace in many industries for workers doing lifting to wear back braces, and for those whose job calls for repetitive movement to wear wrist or shoulder braces. Making braces available as PPE to our employees, and ensuring their use through employee education and supervision is worthy of
®
consideration. Safe lifting practices are routinely
employed in our industry, and has resulted in a lower incidence of back strain than is nationally reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the occurrence of these injuries is still relatively high.
Practices like limiting
the weight that an individual is permitted to lift to 25 pounds and team lifting for higher weights should be in place at all
manufacturing operations, as are some forms of lift-assist equipment. There are many factors to
consider when addressing workplace ergonomics. Every operation in our plants has differing needs, and some of those needs may vary from worker to worker. Proper evaluation of each operational area should be considered, whether addressing the need for mold
Continued on pg 20 November 2023 ❘ 19
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