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| Solution: Knee Pads |
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| Description: |
Workers who kneel put 89% of their body weight on a small surface area. Prolonged kneeling can often lead to injury. Knee pads help you protect your knees by distributing your weight over a larger surface area and reduce the force on your knee caps. |
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| Risks Addressed: | Kneeling | ||
| How Risks are Reduced: |
Workers who spend a good deal of time in the kneeling position put 89% of their body weight on a small surface area. Prolonged kneeling can often lead to injury. Knee pads help protect your knees by distributing your weight over a larger surface area and reduce the force passed on to the knee cap. Quality of Evidence
Independent studies have shown an association between musculoskeletal disorders and awkward postures (e.g. kneeling), and contact stresses (e.g contact pressures are concentrated in a small area). Knee pads are used to protect the knee by distributing your weight over a larger surface area and reducing the force passed on to soft and hard tissue. Several companies produce knee pads in a variety of styles and claim that their products are able reduce exposure to contact stresses on the knee by distributing forces over a larger area. Additionally knee pads can protect workers from abrasions. Most workers that spend large portions of their time kneeling positions use knee pads.
There have not been independent published studies measuring the effect of using knee pads on reducing knee-related musculoskeletal disorders. Regardless, health and safety experts believe that workers will be more comfortably and less likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders if they use knee pads due to reduced exposure to known risk factors. |
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| Effects on Productivity: |
Reducing discomfort associated with kneeling on hard surfaces for prolonged periods may increase productivity because workers would presumably be able to work for longer periods without standing up. Quality of Evidence
Manufacturers of knee pads believe that workers who are more comfortable are more productive. The manufacturers believe that their knee pads will reduce knee discomfort in the operator. Health and safety experts believe reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders may lead to increased productivity because: 1) individuals can work for longer periods with fewer breaks and less fatigue, and 2) there may be a reduction in lost time injuries. |
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| Return on Investment: | No specific calculation ROI information exists for this particular solution, however, there are some general approaches that might be useful for a “Return On Investment” analysis. For a general discussion of these approaches, visit our “Return on Investment Calculation” page. | ||
| Availability: | A wide variety of knee pads are available varying in cost from $5 to $30 depending upon features. |
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