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Analysis of Cumulative Trauma Disorders and Work Methods.

Armstrong-TJ; Foulke-JA; Goldstein-SA; Joseph-BS

NIOSH 1981 Jul:149 pages

00133174

The incidence of cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity among workers in a poultry processing facility (SIC-5144) and a furniture panel manufacturing factory (SIC-2511) were investigated. Accident and personnel records were reviewed to determine the number and type of repetitive trauma complaints, such as strain and tendonitis, for each job class. Incidence rates were calculated. Jobs with high incidence rates were selected for work methods analyses to identify stressful postures. Five job types with incidence rates of 17.4 to 129.6 cases per 200000 work hours in the poultry facility and two jobs having incidence rates of 10.9 and 15.0 cases per 200000 work hours in the panel factory were studied with films and surface electromyography. Stressful motions and postures were identified from the films. Conclusions and recommendations include modifying tool handles so the tool can be held without deviating the wrist, and relocating work surfaces so they can be reached without twisting the wrist. It is further recommended that these suggestions either be tested in laboratories or by on site pilot studies before they are implemented on a large scale.

Poultry-industry; Safety-research; Long-term-exposure; Occupational-accidents; Industrial-medicine; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Biokinetics; Physical-stress; Safety-practices; Biophysics;

19810701

1981

PB84-181577

A08

DBBS;

Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities; Disease and Injury; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders;

5144; 2511;

NIOSH, Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Science, Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, 149 pages, 46 references

OH;