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Tray 1-A: NIOSH Investigations of WMSDs in Work Settings |
SIC Codes: 2016 2092 2328 2421
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
2016 Manufacturing (Poultry products) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Poultry processing plant. Focus on workers engaged in tasks of cutting, eviscerating, and deboning carcasses as compared with those in lesser manual stress jobs. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper extremity (hand/wrist and elbow) disorders as well as tension neck problems. |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful motions extreme and awkward postures of the upper extremities.
Machine-paced work. |
| Recommendations |
Engineering controls included restructuring jobs, use of mechanical devices to aid deboning and cutting tasks, and workstation changes to accommodate workers of varying sizes. New worker training, practice in proper cutting techniques, use of job rotation, and rest breaks to relieve fatigue were underscored.
Suggested ways to improve medical management practices included better medical surveillance, employee education in symptom recognition, and cautions on treatment regarding use of drug therapy, splints, and restricted duty. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 89–307–2009 NTIS order no. PB–91–104–620 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
2092 Manufacturing (Fish products) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Filleting, fillet trimming, and "sliming" fish at a packing plant. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions, awkward postures |
| Recommendations |
Engineering control recommendations include workstation modifications to adjust work
table height to fit workers and to reduce reach distances, texturing cutting table to reduce the force needed to hold
fish, and modifying knife handle design. As administrative controls, work practice training and reduced emphasis on speed were recommended for new hires. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 83–251–1685 NTIS order no. PB–87–108–312 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
2328 Manufacturing (Clothing, furnishings) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Various sewing tasks at a uniform maker. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions, awkward postures |
| Recommendations |
Plant-wide workstation modifications were suggested such as providing foot rails, floor
mats, adjustable chairs, and padding the edges of tables to reduce contact stress. Improvement in work layout also
noted to facilitate access to materials or parts. Job specific engineering control recommendations were also made. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 83–205–1702 NTIS order no. PB–87–106–498 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
2421 Manufacturing (Sawmills) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Driving and operating highway and off-highway logging trucks and stackers. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb, neck, and back |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Whole body vibration |
| Recommendations |
Replacing truck seats with seats offering greater vibration isolation was recommended.
Work practice changes, such as driving slower and not lifting loads that are so heavy as to lift the rear wheels
off the ground, were recommended. Job rotation and shorter work shifts were suggested to reduce exposures to whole
body vibration. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 83–349–1901 NTIS order no. PB–89–107–239 |
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