User's Manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 6: Safety 85
Safety
Chapter 6: Safety
Thischaptercontainsinformation requiredbyregulatoryagencies,includinginformation
abouttheALARA(aslowasreasonablyachievable)principle,theoutputdisplaystandard,
acousticpowerandintensitytables,andothersafetyinformation.Theinformationappliesto
theultrasoundsystem,transducer,accessories,andperipherals.
Ergonomic safety
Thesehealthyscanningguidelinesareintendedtoassistyouinthecomfortandeffectiveuse
ofyourultrasoundsystem.
WARNING:
To prevent musculoskeletal disorders, follow the guidelines in this section.
Use of an ultrasound system may be linked to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
a,b,c
.
Use of an ultrasound system is defined as the physical interaction between the
operator, the ultrasound system, and the transducer.
When using an ultrasound system, as with many similar physical activities, you may
experience occasional discomfort in your hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, eyes, back,
or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such as constant
or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning
sensation, or stiffness, do not ignore these warning signs. Promptly see a qualified
health professional. Symptoms such as these can be linked with MSDs. MSDs can be
painful and may result in potentially disabling injuries to the nerves, muscles,
tendons, or other parts of the body. Examples of MSDs include carpal tunnel
syndrome and tendonitis.
While researchers are not able to definitively answer many questions about MSDs,
there is a general agreement that certain factors are associated with their
occurrence including preexisting medical and physical conditions, overall health,
equipment and body position while doing work, frequency of work, duration of
work, and other physical activities that may facilitate the onset of MSDs
d
. This
chapter provides guidelines that may help you work more comfortably and may
reduce your risk of MSDs
e,f
.
a.Magnavita, N., L. Bevilacqua, P. Mirk, A. Fileni, and N. Castellino. “Work-related Musculoskeletal Complaints
in Sonologists.Occupational Environmental Medicine. 41:11 (1999), 981-988.
b.Craig, M. “Sonography: An Occupational Hazard?” Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 3 (1985),
121-125.
c.Smith, C.S., G.W. Wolf, G. Y. Xie, and M. D. Smith. “Musculoskeletal Pain in Cardiac Ultrasonographers:
Results of a Random Survey.Journal of American Society of Echocardiography. (May1997), 357-362.
d.Wihlidal, L.M. and S. Kumar. “An Injury Profile of Practicing Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Alberta.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 19 (1997), 205-216.