Ergonomics: Risk Factors
Learn to control ergonomic risk factors associated with your work.
Understanding risk factors and practicing basic ergonomic principles are the first defense against possible injury and lost productivity.
Job activities involving any of the ergonomic risk factors below may contribute to or result in an increased risk of strain and injury.
- Awkward
postures - Bending
- Compression or contact stress
- Forceful exertions
- Insufficient rest breaks
- Lifting
- Lighting
- Noise
- Pushing, pulling
- Reaching
- Repetitive
motions - Static or sustained postures
- Temperature extremes
- Vibration
The good news is there's a lot you can do to prevent injuries from occurring.
Select a category below to learn what you can do about the ergonomic risk factors.
Child care workers
Risk factors
 |
Bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling are risk factors for child care employees. |
 |
Awkward postures, bending, and lifting aren't child's play. |
 |
Standing, reaching, bending, and lifting are repeated in diaper changes throughout the day. |
What to do
- Get training
- Read:
Schedule group training
Have an ergonomic specialist present group training in your workplace, focusing on the tasks and equipment your group uses. To schedule group training:
- You need at least 6 participants
- E-mail your request using the email at the bottom of this page, including:
- Your name
- Department
- Phone number and e-mail address
- Building and room number
Computer and office workers
Risk factors
 |
Poor posture at a poorly adjusted workstation. This person is going to ache before the end of the day. |
 |
Keyboarding can cause repetitive motion, forceful and static exertions, awkward postures, and contact stress. |
 |
Awkward postures, contact stress, and glare are risk factors at a poorly designed computer workstation. |
What to do
- Get training
- Fix your workstation
- Stretch
- Remember to stretch
- Read
Food service workers
Risk factors
 |
Forceful exertions, repetitive motions, and awkward postures are risk factors during food preparation. |
 |
Bending, lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and standing for long periods of time are physically demanding. |
 |
Temperature extremes, standing for long periods of time, and repetitive motions can be a recipe for discomfort. |
What to do
- Get training
- Read:
Schedule group training
Have an ergonomic specialist present group training in your workplace, focusing on the tasks and equipment your group uses. To schedule group training:
- You need at least 6 participants
- E-mail your request using the email at the bottom of this page, including:
- Your name
- Department
- Phone number and e-mail address
- Building and room number
Healthcare workers
Risk factors
 |
Lifting, pulling, or pushing a patient requires careful attention to body mechanics for both patient and care giver safety. |
 |
Bending and lifting are risk factors for this healthcare provider. |
 |
Forceful and static exertions, awkward postures, contact stress, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motions affect this physical therapist. |
What to do
- Get training
- Read:
- Back Injury Prevention Guide for Healthcare Providers (PDF), Cal/OSHA
- Healthcare Wide Hazards — Ergonomics, U.S. Department of Labor
- How To Safely Lift and Carry
- Maintaining a Healthy Back
- Improve Neck Posture (PDF)
- UC San Diego Health Ergonomic Guidelines (Word file) (PDF)
Schedule group training
Have an ergonomic specialist present group training in your workplace, focusing on the tasks and equipment your group uses. To schedule group training:
- You need at least 6 participants
- E-mail your request to EH&S Healthcare Safety Office, including:
- Your name
- Department
- Phone number and e-mail address
- Building and room number
Laboratory workers
Risk factors
 |
Micromanipulation and dissection involve repetitive |
 |
Risk factors for microscope users include awkward postures, static exertion, eye strain, and contact stress from leaning on sharp table edges. |
 |
Pipetting, forceful exertions, standing, and leaning for long periods of time are common risk factors for researchers. |
What to do
- Get training
- Read:
- Ergonomic Pipette Tips (PDF)
- CDC Laboratory Ergonomics (PDF)
- How To Safely Lift and Carry
- Laboratory Ergonomics, Fisher Scientific
- Laboratory Ergonomics: Modifying Your Tools, University Health Services Tang Center, UC Berkeley
- Maintaining a Healthy Back
- Improve Neck Posture (PDF)
- UC Los Angeles Laboratory Ergonomics
Schedule group training
Have an ergonomic specialist present group training in your workplace, focusing on the tasks and equipment your group uses. To schedule group training:
- You need at least 6 participants
- Email your request using the email at the bottom of this page, including:
- Your name
- Department
- Phone number and e-mail address
- Building and room number
Material handlers
Risk factors
 |
Bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling are risk factors for shipping, receiving, and delivery employees. |
 |
Awkward postures, repetitive motions, and static and forceful exertions are involved in manifesting, tracking, and data entry activities. |
 |
Sorting involves repetitive motions, prolonged standing, awkward postures, reaching, bending, and lifting. |
What to do
- Get training
- Read:
Schedule group training
Have an ergonomic specialist present group training in your workplace, focusing on the tasks and equipment your group uses. To schedule group training:
- You need at least 6 participants
- E-mail your request using the email at the bottom of this page, including:
- Your name
- Department
- Phone number and e-mail address
- Building and room number
Trades and custodial workers
Risk factors
 |
Pushing, pulling, bending, lifting, gripping, and vibration are risk factors for cleaning and maintenance equipment operators. |
 |
Reaching and extending, noise, and temperature extremes are common in maintenance work. |
 |
Shop work may involve awkward postures, contact stress, static and forceful exertions, and repetitive motions. |
What to do
- Get training
- Read:
- View:
- "The Adventures of Ergoman" video, intended for custodians involved in repetitive tasks.
- Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene, (858) 534-1075, to borrow the video.
- "The Adventures of Ergoman" video, intended for custodians involved in repetitive tasks.
Schedule group training
Have an ergonomic specialist present group training in your workplace, focusing on the tasks and equipment your group uses. To schedule group training:
- You need at least 6 participants
- Email your request using the email at the bottom of this page, including:
- Your name
- Department
- Phone number and e-mail address
- Building and room number
Campus Funded employees contact EH&S Ergo Team.
For UCSD Health or Medical Center-Funded Employees, please visit UCSD Health Ergonomic Evaluation Request or contact injuryprevention@health.ucsd.edu if you have questions.