WOMEN'S SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES AT WORK

Health Concerns: Ergonomics and Muscle/Bone Disorders

Muscle/bone or "musculoskeletal" disorders are illnesses or injuries of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, arms, legs, neck, or lower back. Musculoskeletal disorders are caused or made worse by sudden force, repetitious movement, constant vibration, or awkward posture. Ergonomics is a field of science that works to find solutions to ensure workers stay safe, comfortable, and productive. These solutions usually involve changing tools, equipment, materials, work methods, or the work environment to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

More research is needed to figure out why women have a higher chance of getting musculoskeletal disorders than men. The higher rate of these disorders among women could be related to job differences or physical differences between men and women.

NIOSH Publications

Control of Ergonomic Hazards in Commercial Drycleaning
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-150 (December 1997)

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors: A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-141 (July 1997)

NIOSH Fast Facts Home Healthcare Workers How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-120 (February 2012)

NIOSH Hazard Review: Occupational Hazards in Home Health Care
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-125 (January 2010)

Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing Home Residents
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-117 (February 2006)

Physical activity, physical exertion, and miscarriage risk in women textile workers in Shanghai, China
Compared with women working in sedentary jobs, a reduced risk of miscarriage was found for women working in jobs with either light or medium physical activity during the first pregnancy and over all pregnancies. Frequent crouching was associated with elevated risk. Among conclusions was that light/medium occupational physical activity may have reduced miscarriage risk, while specific occupational characteristics such as crouching may have increased risk in this group.

Safe patient handling training for schools of nursing. Curricular materials
The training program is designed to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among nursing staff.

Suggestions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in home healthcare workers part 1: lift and transfer assistance for partially weight-bearing home care patients
The article describes ways to help patients with higher upper body strength or weight-bearing ability, as well as equipment to help prevent muscle and bone injury of home healthcare workers.