Repetitive Trauma Disorders: Job Evaluation and Design

Abstract

Repetitive trauma disorders of the upper extremity are a major cause of lost work in many hand-intensive industries. Reported risk factors include repetitive and forceful exertions, certain postures, mechanical stress, low temperatures, gloves, and vibration. Risk factors can be identified with job analysis procedures based on traditional work-methods analysis. Risk factors can be controlled through reallocation of work, balancing of tools, selection of alternative tool designs, work relocation, selection of suitable hand protection, and elimination of hand exposure to low temperatures and vibration. Drawing-board manikins are used with computer-aided design systems to estimate the best work location for a given task.

Evaluation of exposures at a pottery shop.

“…Overexertion injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, such as low back pain, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome are often associated with job tasks that include: (1) repetitive, stereotyped movement about the joints; (2) forceful manual exertions; (3) lifting; (4) awkward and/or static work postures; (5) direct pressure on nerves and soft tissues; (6) work in cold environments; or (7) exposure to whole-body or segmental vibration [Armstrong et al 1986;Gerr et al 1991;Rempel et al 1992;NIOSH 1997]. The risk of injury appears to increase as the intensity and duration of exposures to these factors increases and the recovery time is reduced [Moore and Garg 1995].…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA #2004-0117-2964, Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, Hagerstown, Maryland.

“…1,2,3,4 The risk of injury appears to increase as the intensity and duration of exposures to these factors increases and the recovery time is reduced. 5 Although personal factors (e.g., age, gender, weight, fitness) may affect an individual's susceptibility to overexertion injuries/disorders, studies conducted in high-risk industries show that the risk associated with personal factors is small compared to that associated with occupational exposures.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA #2002-0239-2922, United States Postal Service, Norman, Oklahoma.

“…8,12,13,14 The risk of injury appears to increase as the intensity and duration of exposures to these factors increases and recovery time is reduced. 15 Although personal factors (e.g., age, gender, weight, fitness) may affect an individual's susceptibility to overexertion injuries/disorders, studies conducted in high-risk industries show that the risk associated with personal factors is small compared to that associated with occupational exposures.…”