Which of the following best describes simple ergonomic controls that can reduce musculoskeletal disorders?

Which of the following best describes simple ergonomic controls that can reduce musculoskeletal disorders?

• A. Poor posture and repetitive tasks cause musculoskeletal disorders.
• B. Ergonomics have no impact on injury rates.
• C. Workstation design, adjustable equipment, job rotation, breaks, lifting aids.
• D. Rely solely on safety training without ergonomic controls.

Answer: (C)

Simple ergonomic controls that adjust the work system can reduce musculoskeletal disorders by aligning how work is done with the worker’s capabilities. The best choice shows concrete, practical measures: workstation design that promotes neutral postures, adjustable equipment so chairs, desks, keyboards, and displays can be set to comfortable positions, job rotation to limit repetitive tasks, scheduled breaks to give muscles a recovery period, and lifting aids to handle heavy loads. These controls directly address common risk factors like awkward postures, repetitive motions, and heavy lifting, making the work safer and more sustainable. Other options describe causes or imply no impact and don’t offer actionable controls. Merely attributing MSDs to poor posture or repetitive tasks doesn’t provide prevention steps; saying ergonomics don’t affect injury rates ignores evidence; and relying only on safety training without implementing ergonomic tools leaves workers exposed. Implementing these practical controls changes the work environment to support safer movement and reduce injury risk.

Simple ergonomic controls that adjust the work system can reduce musculoskeletal disorders by aligning how work is done with the worker’s capabilities. The best choice shows concrete, practical measures: workstation design that promotes neutral postures, adjustable equipment so chairs, desks, keyboards, and displays can be set to comfortable positions, job rotation to limit repetitive tasks, scheduled breaks to give muscles a recovery period, and lifting aids to handle heavy loads. These controls directly address common risk factors like awkward postures, repetitive motions, and heavy lifting, making the work safer and more sustainable.

Other options describe causes or imply no impact and don’t offer actionable controls. Merely attributing MSDs to poor posture or repetitive tasks doesn’t provide prevention steps; saying ergonomics don’t affect injury rates ignores evidence; and relying only on safety training without implementing ergonomic tools leaves workers exposed. Implementing these practical controls changes the work environment to support safer movement and reduce injury risk.