Don’t shake things up
Hand-arm vibration associated with hand tools is large problem with chippers, hand grinders, and other power tools. Ensure the tools are well maintained and purchase tools that do not exceed the ACGIH TLVs for the expected usage.

Keep it close
It is important to keep loads close to the body when lifting and carrying. Simply moving a load forward a few inches can increase the resulting spinal forces by a factor of 10!

Keep it in neutral
This means that you should always work to keep your joints in neutral while you go about youactivitieses. For the wrist, this means straight. For the elbow, no more bent than 90°. The shoulder should not be brought forward more than 30°.

Stop doing the work
This means that we should always work smarter, not harder. The best way to avoid a lifting injury is do not lift it! How many times do you lift things you do not need to? How many times do we avoid using material handling tools claiming they take too long to use? You do not get paid by the number of kilocalories you burn, but rather on your ability to get the job done. If this can be done with less physical exertion on your part within the same or less time, then everyone wins.

Put your arms down
This refers to avoiding working at shoulder level or above. Working at these heights causes extreme stress to the shoulder tendons and nerves going past them. Always try and work around waist high or slightly above for precision work and slightly below for forceful work.

Lift with your head, not your back
The back is not as strong as you think. The strongest muscle in your body is actually not a muscle, it is your brain! Think about the lift. Plan how to lift it, where you will place it, and the path you will take. Look for alternatives to lifting it yourself.

Twist your way to pain
When lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling, the most dangerous motion you can make is to twist to one side. Always move your feet to properly square off to where you are walking or placing the load.

Comforting thoughts
Ergonomics has been unkindly called the science of comfort. Ergonomics is not necessarilaboutot being comfortable, but if you are overly exhausted or applying extreme physical force to get the task done, then this is a clue to examine the ergonomics of the situation.

Break it up
This refers to taking sufficient breaks. Too often, breaks are determined administratively. The standby shift schedule of 10-15 minutes in the AM, 30 minute lunch, and 10-1minutests in the afternoon, may not be adequate. Short (2-3 minute breaks) taken more often throughout the day are more effective in reducing fatigue anmaintainingng your ability to work.

No pain, big gains
Everyone has probably heard "No pain...No gain". When it comes tavoidnd musculoskeletal disorders, the opposite is true. Pain is not notndition of employment. You have right not to be in pain during and immediately after your shift. If you are in pain, then you should request and ergonomic analysis.