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Pro-Line products integrate the worker, environment, and the job to be done. Workers are more productive when less fatigued, and less stress and strain on the body promote better morale and foster pride in workmanship. Management has the obligation (especially with precedent setting newly enacted California standards and pending legislation in many other States) to provide as safe an environment as possible for employees. Workplace safety has been redefined to include the immediate here-and-now and the new dynamic to avoid future injuries caused by what OSHA identifies as "signal risk factors." (examples) These are:
1) Performance of the same motion or motion pattern,
2) Fixed or awkward postures,
3) Use of vibrating or impact tools or equipment,
4) Using forceful hand exertions, and
5) Unassisted or frequent or heavy lifting.
The soft tissue injuries collectively have many different names:
- Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMI),
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI),
- Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD),
- Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS),
- Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD), and,
- Cervico-Brachial Disorders.
Whatever the name, the costs (to individuals and companies) and frequency of these types of injuries are increasing. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.) RSI is now responsible for 60% of all reported occupational illnesses in America. The estimated total costs of RSI to the private sector businesses in the USA is over $25 billion (with indirect costs potentially as high as $100 billion). |
