Definition - 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.
SureHire 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.
