Force Copy

Force is the amount of muscular effort required to perform a movement or task. Forceful muscular exertions overload muscles, tendons, joints and discs and are associated with most MSDs.

Repetitive force – using force repeatedly over a period of time to move or support an object:

• Lifting and stacking goods onto a pallet
• Gripping and handling bricks when bricklaying
• Repetitively pressing components with the thumbs or another part of the hand to assemble an item
• Prolonged application of therapeutic massage treatments
• Removing splinting material from patients using shears

Sustained force – occurs when force is applied continuously over a period of time:

• Pushing or pulling a trolley around hospital wards
• Holding down a trigger to operate a power tool
• Supporting a plaster sheet while fixing it to a ceiling
• Carrying objects over long distances
• Supporting, positioning or stabilising a patient’s limb during surgery or when applying splinting or casting material.

High force – may be exerted by the back, arm or leg muscles or by the hands and fingers:

• Lifting, lowering or carrying a heavy object
• Lifting, lowering or carrying an object that cannot be positioned close to the body
• Pushing or pulling an object that is hard to move or stop
• Restraining a person or animal

Sudden force – jerky or unexpected movements while handling an item or load are particularly hazardous because the body must suddenly adapt to the changing force:

• Impact recoil of a large nail gun
• Throwing or catching objects
• Cutting reinforcement steel with large bolt cutters
• Carrying an unbalanced or unstable load such as bagged stock feed pellets that suddenly moves
• Handling frightened or resistant animals
• Handling patients who suddenly resist or no longer assist during the handling procedure