A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Elements of Ergonomics Programs A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders |
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Toolbox Tray 1-A: NIOSH Investigations of WMSDs in Work Settings |
| Standard industrial classification
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3631 Manufacturing (Household appliances) |
| Work setting and tasks | Producing microwave ovens. Jobs of grinding and mounting parts, wiring, leakage testing along a moving assembly line |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found | Hand/wrist and shoulder tendonitis, epicondylitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. |
| Ergonomic risk factors found | Repetitive, forceful work (cycle time of 20 seconds), awkward postures, pinch grips, static muscle loading in use of handtools, time pressures, hand/arm vibration, and lifting. |
| Recommendations | Engineering controls proposed for reducing forces were to use low insertion terminals, screws needing less push force in mounting, and tools with nonmetal handles, sized to minimize overgripping. Also recommended were adjustments to conveyor height and realignments in work flow to ease lifting. Administrative measures offered to slow down the line and adopt more job rotation and work changes that can broaden worker skills. Ergonomics training of all workers suggested as first step in meeting needs. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. | HETA 94–0214–2508 NTIS order no. PB–95–270–013 |