Strains and Sprains
Ergonomic injuries are fairly common in restaurants due to prolonged standing, reaching and lifting, and repetitive motions.
Kitchen Safety
Ergonomic controls can certainly help eliminate or limit exposure to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the restaurant setting. These repetitive movements can lead to strains and sprains.
Prolonged Standing: Repetitive or prolonged motions, such as reaching, lifting, and chopping while preparing food in food preparation areas can cause injuries. Static postures may happen as workers continually stand in one position while preparing food. This can cause muscle fatigue and pooling of blood in the lower extremities.
Reaching and Lifting: Repetitive extended reaches for supplies can lead to back and shoulder injuries. Here are a couple common muscle injuries due to reaching and lifting:
- Tendinitis: Tendon inflammation occurs when a muscle or tendon is repeatedly tense from overuse.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: This is the most common shoulder tendon disorder. It happens when the tendons of the rotator cuff of the shoulder are inflamed. It can be caused by continuously working with the arms raised overhead or other repetitive movements of the arm.
Repetitive Motions: Performing hand-intensive tasks, such as chopping, stirring and scooping, with a bent wrist can cause considerable stress on the wrist. Repetitive motions can lead to irritation and swelling and potential MSDs, such as:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This occurs when the median nerve becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve is the main nerve that extends down the arm to the hand and provides the sense of touch in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the fourth, or ring, finger.
- Tendinitis: Tendon inflammation that occurs when a muscle or tendon is repeatedly tensed from overuse or unaccustomed use.
- Tenosynovitis: Inflammation or injury to the synovial sheath surrounding the tendon. It usually results from excessive repetitive motion.
Safe Work Practices
Workers need to learn to lift properly and stay fit to help reduce the risk of injuries from lifting. Here are some other techniques to help prevent injuries:
- Lift with your knees, not your back.
- Lighten a heavy load that needs to be lifted.
- Always make sure the load is balanced and even when lifting.
- Get help with lifting or pouring fluid out of heavy pots.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-5. This injury occurs when a muscle or tendon is repeatedly tensed or overused.
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