Stretch

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(No Transcript)
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WMSD's
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, or WMSDs,
are injuries to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and
joints which occur or are aggravated on the job.
WMSDs are also commonly called Sprains and
Strains.
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WMSD's
In 2005, Liberty Mutual estimated that injuries
caused by excessive physical demand cost the
construction industry 13.4 billion nationally.
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WMSD's
Also in 2005, the Washington State Department of
Labor and Industries concluded that sprain and
strain injuries accounted for 36 of the states
injury claim reports (almost 50,000) at a cost of
over 300 Million.
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WMSD's
What is a Strain?

• A muscle strain is the stretching or tearing of
  muscle fibers.
• Caused by overuse, sports, a sudden movement or
  exercise, or trying to lift something to heavy.
• Symptoms are pain, tightness, swelling,
  tenderness, and inability to move the muscle very
  well.

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WMSD's
What is a Sprain?

• A sprain is a stretching or tearing injury to a
  ligament (tissue that connects bones).
• Caused by sudden twisting, falling, or getting
  hit.
• Symptoms are pain, swelling, bruising, and
  inability to move or use the joint.

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WMSD's
Strains to the back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist
or leg are common and can arise from heavy
lifting, awkward postures, or repetitive motions.
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WMSD's
Muscle strains can occur suddenly from a one time
incident such as a slip, trip or fall, or can
develop from doing the same activity over time.
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WMSD's

• Potential Health Effects
• If early signs or symptoms are ignored, they can
  progress into more serious problems
• Conditions can have long-term effects on a
  persons health, work, recreational options, and
  other aspects of life including retirement
• Problems may include persistent pain, pain with
  movement, or an inability to move limbs normally

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WMSD's
Risk Factor An activity or situation which may
contribute to an injury.
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WMSD's

• Risk Factors for WMSDs
• Job-related factors forceful exertions during
  physical work, handling heavy loads, etc.
• Awkward postures reaching down, reaching
  overhead, being in bent positions, etc.
• Repetitive movements performing the same task
  over and over, using certain tools, etc.

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WMSD's

• Personal Risk Factors for WMSDs
• Work-style
• Age
• Smoking
• Height Weight
• General Conditioning
• Pre-existing Injuries

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WMSD's

• What can you do about WMDSs?
• Educate you workers about WMSDs and the
  associated risk factors
• Help your workers to recognize WMSD symptoms
• Train your workers in prevention strategies which
  include a worksite stretching program such as
  this
• Support your workers as they take personal
  responsibility for their health

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WMSD's
This stretching program is designed to improve
worker flexibility in as little as 8-12 minutes
of stretching as part of each work day.
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WMSD's

• The objectives of this program are to
• Reduce on-the-job injuries and associated medical
  costs.
• Increase productivity and profitability
• Enhance workplace moral and general awareness of
  health and safety

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Training Video
Management Module
How is managements support important to the
success of a stretching program?
How can you help the owners/managers of your
company see the value in a stretching program?
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Training Video
Supervisor Module
How is the support of supervisors important to
the success of a stretching program?
How can you help your supervisors see the value
in a stretching program?
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Training Video
Employee Module
How do you anticipate employees will respond to a
stretching program?
How will you help your employees see this as a
preventative step in staying healthy and keeping
their jobs?
How will you encourage your employees as they
take personal responsibility for their safety and
health?
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Funding for this project was provided by a grant
from the Washington State Department of Labor and
Industries Safety and Health Investment Project