This article is compiled to help answer frequently asked questions about the issue of Arborist Ergonomics, highlighted by our previous article "The Body language of Tree Workers":

1. What does 'Arborist Ergonomics' mean?

The term "ergonomics" is derived from the Greek words: "ergon", meaning work and "nomoi", meaning natural laws. Therefore, "Arborist Ergonomics" is the study of the Arborist's bio-mechanical capabilities in relationship to his/her work demands.

In recent years, we have worked to define specific arboricultural techniques and equipment, which minimize unnecessary effort and poor posture, and so reduce inefficient forces acting upon the body. Any arborist can significantly reduce their risk of injury by following sound ergonomic principles, in choice of work equipment and technique. Ergonomic tools and techniques must go hand in hand to be effective.

2. Why should there be concern about ergonomically in-efficient work technique?

If our daily movements are repetitive and inefficient, and posture is poor, it is likely that MSDs and RSIs will result in time.

If MSDs are not prevented or corrected, it is likely that they will develop into more serious complaints that are not rectifiable without surgery and/or intensive physio-therapy. This could easily involve the replacement and fusing of joints, and nerve damage. The post trauma physio-therapy required to mitigate disability from such surgery, must be holistic and could take years. Beyond a few months, this will typically NOT be met by the National Health Service, and is unlikely to be holistic.

Such injuries lead to excessive medical costs, time off work and disability. The UK Health & Safety Executive statistics, show that such ailments are responsible for 4 times more time off work, than time off work due to accidents (28 million days lost to work place ill health, 7 million days lost to work place injury). It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that so much time, money and effort is invested in safety training, but very little is focused on the cause and effects of bio-mechanical inefficiency. Even to the point that some safety training may unnecessarily compound the risk of MSDs through bio-mechanical inefficiency; the risks and controls not being measured proportionately.

3. What are MSDs and RSIs?

Both terms are somewhat interchangeable, although RSIs could be said to typically affect the nerves, tendons and ligaments in a localized, less externally obvious dysfunction, whereas MSDs affect the muscles and skeletal frame in a more externally obvious dysfunctional way. Because the tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves bones and muscles are all connected, the differentiation is somewhat meaningless in terms of the effect on overall well being. This is why the cause and effect of dysfunction should be treated holistically.

4. Where is the statistical proof, that inefficient arborist work techniques are causing MSDs?

To our knowledge, the only specific statistics collated by HSE to ascertain the risk of MSDs from arborist work activity, is contract research report CRR187/1998. However, the highest percentage of the vast 28 million working days lost due to ill health, are unlikely to be due to the common cold, food poisoning or hangovers from the night before. The HSE estimate that 9.6 million are attributable to back pain and upper limb disorders alone, with each person affected taking on average 3 weeks off work due to their condition every year. HSE are currently raising awareness of MSD prevalence in all work, recognizing they may lead to permanent disability if not prevented or rehabilitated. Therefore, it is somewhat obvious that inefficient work technique, is a major cause of lost productivity and injury, across all industries.

The USA Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), estimate 60% of time off work due to ill health is down to MSDs. OSHA has addressed this by setting some industry specific guidelines for ergonomic work practices. Together with a generally increased awareness, the Volunteer ergonomics programmes show a 53% downturn in workplace ill health. This is proving more beneficial than rigid, generalized and restrictive standards.

Therefore the international arboriculture community should take note; an appropriate use of resources, would be to highlight the accepted concepts about sound human bio-mechanical function, and learn how to avoid proprioceptive dysfunction in specific tasks, that may lead to pain and disability.

Tree work is renowned for being physically demanding and dangerous - a challenge that should be accepted by those that undertake it. That doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks; the challenge should involve implementing the safest, most ergonomically efficient tools and techniques into the work place, that still allow a reasonable and practicable daily work method. It also means identifying new risks and adopting reasonable controls as they become known.

5. Doesn't accepting the risk of MSDs invite the risk of litigation?
It must be accepted that the extreme nature of tree work and the human need for well maintained and safe amenity trees, requires not absolute safety, but measured risk and efficiency. It is not possible to remove all safety and health risks from trees and tree work. Nor should it be desirable. Because with absolute safety comes high cost and little benefit. It is a question then, of what is reasonably practicable.

Those engaged in tree work, must be enlightened to the risks as well as the benefits, of daily work. It is immoral to engage any (especially young) person in any task without proper guidance on the risks. This is one reason why some employees still receive compensation following injury at work, despite being at fault; their employers had not properly explained the risks and the importance of the controls.

Before employment commences, a proper appraisal of employee health, injuries, posture and task related fitness should be undertaken alongside an assessment of their knowledge, ability, training and experience. This will give a better understanding of their competence, and the risk of them suffering injury through accident or MSDs.

Health issues should not be ignored because of non-specific regulations. Control measures need to be in place following an accurate appraisal of all known risks. The responsibility for work place health and safety is shared between both employer and employee. The employees need to have full awareness of these risks, and recognize and abide by the employers control measures in a reasonable and practicable way, as set out in their contract of employment.

A good manager recognizes the importance of their human resources. Good employees equals good business. Such a high investment requires the same good maintenance shown to other company resources.

6. What is 'Proprioception' and how can it become dysfunctional?

Correct bio-mechanical co-ordination leads to improvement in proprioception; the perfect physical symmetry and interaction between the central nervous system, and muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments. The bodies proprioception becomes dysfunctional, when it thinks that it is perfectly aligned, but actually is twisted, slouched or lop sided.

Ascending trees via 'SRT' (single rope technique) with mechanical hand, feet and chest ascenders, is a good example of bio-mechanical efficiency encouraging positive proprioception. 'Footlocking' is an example of bio-mechanical in-efficiency. Inefficient bio-mechanical co-ordination (forcing muscular-skeletal components out of alignment) leads to physical dysfunction and pain or disability. Sitting in a poorly fitted harness, footlocking, body thrusting, snedding and logging every working day over just one year, could lead to serious MSDs, if no specific training or correction strategy is in place to re-align the body's proprioception.

This doesn't mean the same tasks cannot be undertaken more efficiently and productively. Exercise strategies and rehabilitation, task rotation, improved techniques and equipment, when used together, can greatly reduce the risk of MSDs from developing.

7. What about one handed sportsmen/women like tennis pros - they only play one handed?

You may have noticed that some tennis pros hold the racket and strike the ball with both hands on the backhand and forehand. That's not for power, but balanced proprioception. If they play one handed, you can be sure their coach will ensure various compensatory exercises are undertaken, to encourage proper proprioception. The reason? Lower risk of injury and improved balance equals higher performance. Not every coach is this 'new school' however.

8. Do I need to become ambidextrous and exercise at the end of a hard day?

Very few people are truly ambidextrous. Most of us will have biased strength to one favoured side. It is a question of degree. Regular, specific, exercise, and proper work technique, will help prevent serious MSDs.

To become skillful in any given task, requires repetition to perfect. If you are going to train yourself to acquire a skill, remember practice does not make perfect - rather perfect practice makes perfect. Ensure that the tools and techniques you use are bio-mechanically efficient. Arborists spend so much time repeating actions on a daily basis, that there is little time or energy to correct them. This is in contrast to most professional sports. By using efficient work technique from the outset, correction strategies are less likely to be needed.

9. How do I choose bio-mechanically efficient techniques?

Simplistically, the largest muscle groups should be chosen with proper alignment and power from their mid-range. Over reaching and twisting under power, and working on only one side of the body, should be avoided and compensated for by exercise.

10. What will I gain from integrating ergonomically efficient work techniques and equipment?

The most important principle of MSD management is prevention. Ergonomic tools and techniques are injury prevention measures that encourage well being. They support natural laws of movement that are guaranteed to improve working health, and will genuinely improve the way the body works. Thus, the arborist's body will be stronger, more co-ordinated, reach further and last longer before fatigue sets in.

ALL fitness experts agree:

"Injury prevention equals performance enhancement".

Enhanced performance equals profit. That makes embracing ergonomic work strategies, a sound business decision.

Written by Paolo & Davina Bavaresco (formerly Davina Owen) © copyright, 19th August 2006.