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Tray 1-A: NIOSH Investigations of WMSDs in Work Settings |
SIC Codes: 2711 2711 3069 3070
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
2711 Manufacturing (Periodicals) |
| Work setting and tasks |
VDT tasks at a newspaper company. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck, eyestrain, headaches |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Poor illumination, glare, poor workstation layout |
| Recommendations |
Survey conducted that sought to define relationships between VDT-user symptoms and ergonomic aspects of VDT use. Main finding—increasing reports of being bothered by glare, brightness of screen, flicker, fuzziness of characters related to postural discomfort, headaches, and blurred vision. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 80–127–1337 NTIS order no. PB–94–207–776 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
2711 Manufacturing (Periodicals) |
| Work setting and tasks |
A major newspaper setting with tasks involving use of video display terminals (VDT). |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper extremity disorders (neck, hand/wrist, shoulder, and elbow). |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Increased hours typing at a VDT keyboard, job deadline pressures, and varying workload demands. |
| Recommendations |
Emphasized that a control plan must address job design, work organization, and psychosocial factors which were all correlated with symptoms reported. Employer's beginning efforts to use work breaks and document workload factors were acknowledged as a start. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 90–013–2277 NTIS order no. PB–93–188–456 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
3069 Manufacturing (Fabricated rubber products) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Various tasks such as cutting, cementing, and finishing rubber and nylon fabrics in a plant manufacturing fuel cells for aircraft. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions, static exertions, contact stress, awkward postures, vibration |
| Recommendations |
Engineering controls recommended include use of power scissors for cutting fabrics, modifying workstations, reducing vibration of powered handtools, providing footrests and floor mats, and securing razor blades used for cutting in handles. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 90–246–2314 NTIS order no. PB–93–234–037 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
3070 Manufacturing (Plastics, metal products) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Manufacturer of plastic and metal pails. Tasks include inserting gaskets into lids, trimming, attaching handles. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions |
| Recommendations |
Numerous specific engineering and work practice controls were suggested, ranging from workstation modification and automation to assuring trim knives are sharp. Job rotation and identification of light duty jobs were recommended as administrative controls, plus close medical monitoring of workers in identified high risk jobs. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 89–146–2049 NTIS order no. PB–91–115–758 |
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