Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-87-428-2063, Anchor Swan Division, Harvard Industries, Inc., Bucyrus, Ohio.
Authors
Tanaka-S; Habes-D
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 87-428-2063, 1990 Aug; :1-21
Abstract
In response to a request from the management of Anchor Swan Division (SIC-3079) of Harvard Industries, Inc., Bucyrus, Ohio, an investigation was made of the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among employees at the site. The facility employed about 600 workers in the manufacture of automotive, industrial and garden hoses. A self administered questionnaire concerning musculoskeletal symptoms was mailed to all employees. Responses indicated that employees in the formed hose department reported hand/wrist pain and other CTS related problems lasting for at least 4 days about twice as frequently as did workers in all other manufacturing departments, and ten times more often than did office workers and sales employees. An ergonomic evaluation of pin and cure job and other potentially high exposure jobs was conducted, including braiding in the industrial hose department, coupling in the plastic hose department, and cut, trim, pack and assembly in the formed hose department. Ergonomic analysis indicated that the pin and cure and brading jobs involved high levels of exposure to musculoskeletal stressors, that the coupling job had medium exposures, and that the cut, trim, pack and assemble had low to moderate exposures. The authors conclude that potential musculoskeletal hazards existed at the facility. The authors recommend specific measures to reduce the hazards.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-87-428-2063; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-5; Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Muscle-function; Cumulative-trauma-disorders; Carpal-tunnel-syndrome;
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB91-151720
Identifying No.
HETA-87-428-2063
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
