What Does Repetition Mean?
Repetition, in the workplace setting, refers to an activity or
specific action that is repeated or performed
over and over again. The level of repetition required for specific jobs can affect
employees emotional and physical well-being. A job that includes little variety or opportunity for change may be
less enriching and satisfying for an employee.
Of particular importance,
physical repetition is one of the ergonomic risk factors associated with the
development of work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (MSD). A throughout examination
of workplace health and safety should include an analysis of the level of
repetition required for each job.
WorkplaceTesting Explains Repetition
In the context of workplace ergonomics, repetition is
defined as the number of similar exertions performed while engaging in a
work-related task.
For example, a measure of repetition might evaluate how many
times an employee must pull a lever or lift a box each hour. Excessive
repetition required for the performance of a job may cause an employee to
experience a repetitive stress injury (RSI) or other MSD. The impact of
repetition alone is not always an indicator of the risk of a particular job or
task. Instead, a combination of the number of repetitions and the exertion
required for each repetition, along with other factors should be considered
when evaluating the safety of particular task.
In some instances, the risks of repetition in a job can be
reduced or minimized by modifying the job’s tasks, encouraging frequent rest
breaks or otherwise adjusting the job to
fit the physical needs of an employee.
