Which of the following tactics can reduce the likelihood of injury?
Five tactics reduce injury risk: using tools to cut repetitive actions, using low-vibration tools, using ergonomic props or aids, rotating tasks among workers, and taking frequent breaks. Holding static or awkward postures is NOT a protective tactic, it increases injury risk.
The answer
The tactics that reduce the likelihood of injury target the root causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): repetition, force, vibration, and sustained awkward positions. The correct selections are:
- Use tools to reduce repetitive actions — power or assistive tools cut the number of forceful, repeated motions your body must perform.
- Use low-vibration tools — reducing hand-arm vibration lowers the risk of nerve and circulatory damage such as hand-arm vibration syndrome.
- Use ergonomic props or aids — supports, jigs, lift aids, and anti-fatigue mats keep joints in neutral positions and reduce strain.
- Rotate tasks among workers — job rotation spreads different physical demands across the shift so no single muscle group is overloaded.
- Take frequent breaks — short, regular rest lets tissues recover before fatigue turns into injury.
Why "awkward or static postures" is NOT correct
The distractor in this question is usually maintaining static positions or holding awkward postures. This is the opposite of a protective tactic. Holding a fixed or awkward posture, bending, reaching, twisting, or staying still for long periods, restricts blood flow, keeps muscles under constant load, and is one of the leading causes of ergonomic injury. Good ergonomics does the reverse: it keeps the body moving, neutral, and rested. So any option that involves keeping a static or awkward position should be left unchecked.
The bigger picture: the hierarchy of controls
Ergonomic hazards are the workplace conditions that strain the body: heavy lifting, repetition, vibration, and poor posture. OSHA and NIOSH recommend fixing them using a hierarchy of controls, from most to least effective:
| Control type | What it does | Examples from this question |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering controls | Physically change the tool or workstation | Low-vibration tools, tools that reduce repetition, ergonomic props |
| Administrative controls | Change how work is scheduled or done | Job rotation, frequent breaks |
| PPE | Protects the individual worker | Anti-vibration gloves, wrist supports |
Engineering controls are preferred because they remove or reduce the hazard at its source rather than relying on worker behavior. In this question, using better tools and ergonomic aids are engineering controls, while rotating tasks and taking breaks are administrative controls, and both categories genuinely lower injury risk. Recognizing that awkward/static posture is a hazard, not a control, is the key to selecting the right five answers.
Which of the following tactics can reduce the likelihood of injury?
Frequently asked
What are ergonomic hazards in the workplace?
Ergonomic hazards are conditions that strain the body and can cause musculoskeletal disorders. They include repetitive motions, forceful exertions, heavy or awkward lifting, hand-arm vibration, and sustained awkward or static postures. Reducing these factors lowers injury risk.
How does job rotation reduce injury risk?
Job rotation moves workers between tasks that use different muscle groups and movements. This prevents any single body part from being overloaded by continuous repetition or strain, giving muscles and joints time to recover and lowering the risk of cumulative injuries.
Why are awkward postures dangerous?
Awkward or static postures, like bending, twisting, reaching, or holding one position, keep muscles under constant load and restrict blood flow. Over time this fatigue and strain leads to musculoskeletal disorders, which is why holding such positions increases rather than reduces injury risk.
What are engineering vs administrative controls for injury prevention?
Engineering controls physically change the tool or workstation to remove the hazard, such as low-vibration tools or ergonomic aids, and are the most effective. Administrative controls change how work is done, such as job rotation and frequent breaks. Both reduce injury risk, but engineering controls are preferred because they address the hazard at its source.