A study of the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper limbs was carried out on 2 populations, 1 performing a computer-aided design (CAD) task and the other performing a data entry task. A questionnaire on MSD complaints and working life was completed by a sample of each population. Biomechanical measurements of the forces, the angles, and the repetitiveness of movements of the upper limbs were carried out on some operators in each sample. It emerged that complaints of the upper limbs seem to be linked to the use of input devices. The grip forces exerted when using the keyboard and mouse were higher in CAD than in data entry.VDU work MSD biomechanical stresses INTRODUCTIONPostural problems caused by working with computer display screens have been highlighted in numerous epidemiological surveys (Punnett & Bergqvist, 1997). The parts of the body concerned are primarily the neck, the shoulders, the lower back, and increasingly the upper limbs. Among these operators, the occurrence of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been increasing rapidly since the end of the 1980s, particularly in the USA. It more than doubled each year in this country from 1988 to 1992 and continuedCorrespondence and requests for offprints should be sent to François Cail, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Avenue de Bourgogne, B.P. 27, F-54501 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France. E-mail: .( %#+. #0& / #26'.

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