Which factor is cited as a cause of injury in health care workplaces?

Which factor is cited as a cause of injury in health care workplaces?

• A. Equipment not ergonomically designed
• B. Adequate lighting
• C. Frequent breaks
• D. Proper ground resistance

Answer: (A)

In health care settings, injuries often stem from ergonomic hazards—when equipment isn’t designed with human use in mind. If devices, furniture, or tools force workers into awkward postures, require excessive reach, or demand heavy manual force during patient handling, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries rises. This directly links poorly designed equipment to higher injury rates, which is why it’s cited as a cause. Adequate lighting helps prevent accidents and missteps but doesn’t typically cause injuries; it’s more of a safety facilitator. Frequent breaks reduce fatigue and repetitive strain over time, acting as a preventive measure rather than a cause. Proper ground resistance (floor traction) lowers slip-and-fall risks and is about prevention, not causation. So the factor most clearly associated with causing injuries is equipment that isn’t ergonomically designed.

In health care settings, injuries often stem from ergonomic hazards—when equipment isn’t designed with human use in mind. If devices, furniture, or tools force workers into awkward postures, require excessive reach, or demand heavy manual force during patient handling, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries rises. This directly links poorly designed equipment to higher injury rates, which is why it’s cited as a cause.

Adequate lighting helps prevent accidents and missteps but doesn’t typically cause injuries; it’s more of a safety facilitator. Frequent breaks reduce fatigue and repetitive strain over time, acting as a preventive measure rather than a cause. Proper ground resistance (floor traction) lowers slip-and-fall risks and is about prevention, not causation. So the factor most clearly associated with causing injuries is equipment that isn’t ergonomically designed.