Workplace Ergonomics & Health Flashcards
7 cards from real SAF practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Workplace Ergonomics & Health flashcards as text
Which handle diameter range is generally recommended for power grip tools to minimize forearm muscle fatigue?
Answer: 1.5–2.0 inches (38–51 mm)
A handle diameter of 1.5–2.0 inches optimizes grip strength and reduces forearm muscle loading for most adult workers using power grips.
What is the ergonomic rationale for placing the most frequently used items within the 'primary work zone'?
Answer: To minimize reach distance and reduce shoulder and trunk loading
Items in the primary zone (forearm reach) can be accessed without extending the arms or leaning, minimizing biomechanical stress on the shoulders and spine.
A worker develops de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Which wrist and thumb movement combination most likely caused this condition?
Answer: Wrist extension combined with thumb extension and abduction during repetitive tasks
De Quervain's involves the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons, irritated by repetitive wrist extension and thumb abduction/extension.
In the context of office ergonomics, what is 'glare' and how does it contribute to visual fatigue?
Answer: Reflected or direct light that reduces screen contrast, forcing the eyes to work harder
Glare reduces the luminance contrast between screen content and background, making the visual system work harder and causing eye strain and fatigue.
Which ergonomic intervention is most effective at reducing musculoskeletal risk for assembly-line workers performing overhead tasks?
Answer: Lowering the work height so tasks are performed at or below shoulder level
Overhead work is a leading risk factor for shoulder disorders; redesigning the workstation to bring tasks below shoulder level is the most effective engineering control.
What is the recommended minimum lumbar support height range for an ergonomic office chair backrest?
Answer: 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) above the seat pan
Effective lumbar support should align with the lumbar curve, typically 6–10 inches above the seat pan to support the L1–L5 region.
Which OSHA standard specifically addresses ergonomic hazards in the meatpacking industry?
Answer: OSHA's Ergonomics Program Standard for Meatpacking Plants (1990 guidelines)
OSHA issued industry-specific ergonomic guidelines for meatpacking in 1990, establishing a framework for addressing MSD hazards in this high-risk sector.