| |
Tray 1-A: NIOSH Investigations of WMSDs in Work Settings |
SIC Codes: 3483 3499 3544 3592
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
3483 Manufacturing (Ordinance) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Inspection of charges in a munitions plant. Tasks involve lifting and manipulation of charges weighing as much as 40 lb. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb, neck, and back |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions and heavy lifting |
| Recommendations |
Engineering controls were suggested to provide adjustable chairs and fixtures to minimize load handling. Administrative and work practices proposals made to improve lifting methods, extend training in ergonomic risk factors, and improve medical monitoring by logging location and type of work performed. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 83–142–1431 NTIS order no. PB–85–184–125 |
Back to Index
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
3499 Manufacturing (Fabricated metal products) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Various metal forming jobs such as cutting, shaping, and threading, and assembly tasks at a manufacturer of hand-held lubrication equipment. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck, back |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions, awkward postures, heavy lifting |
| Recommendations |
Engineering controls were suggested for better presentation of stock and parts to eliminate excessive reaches (by using power lifts and better positioned racks), redesign of workstations, and repositioning of machine tools. It was recommended that the company continue to alert workers to ergonomic hazards and encourage early reporting of WMSD complaints. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 81–375–1277 NTIS order no. PB–84–209–717 |
Back to Index
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
3544 Manufacturing (Metalworking machinery) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Grinding, polishing, and deburring tasks at a manufacturer of molds used in glass container production. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Vibration |
| Recommendations |
Recommendations for a medical monitoring program to identify early signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome. Rest breaks, job rotation, and use of gloves were also recommended. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 93–0510–2462 NTIS order no. PB–95–171–294 |
Back to Index
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
3592 Manufacturing (Industrial machinery) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Machine shop and foundry of a piston manufacturing company. Piston sleeve and piston machining and casting operations studied. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limbs and back. |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive, awkward postures in manual handling of products in machining. Awkward postures and static loading in casting tasks. |
| Recommendations |
Suggested use of rotating/lifting devices, gravity feed racks, and positioning palletizers to reduce manual handling risks and back problems in machinists. Use a support device to hold ladle and relieve static strain in molding operations. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 94–0040–2496 NTIS order no. PB–96–106–448 |
< Back to Index
|  |
|
