Classical syndromes in occupational medicine. Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes and ergonomic factors.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
Biomedical subjects
W M Keyserling
Publications and source records attributed to W M Keyserling.
Establishing an industrial strength testing program.
This study was performed to develop and evaluate a scheme for matching the strength of workers to the strength demands of their jobs. Biomechanical analyses were performed on production jobs in an aluminum reduction plant to identify and quantify strength demands. These data were used to design a set of nine strength tests which simulated job activities with the greatest strength requirements. A cross section of plant employees assigned to these jobs was strength tested and monitored for medical incidents for a period of over two years. Significant relationships were found among job strength requirements, worker strengths, and medical incidents. Workers with strength abilities (as determined by the tests) less than job strength requirements suffered a higher rate of medical incidents than workers whose strength abilities matched or exceeded job demands. It was concluded that strength testing can be used to identify workers who would be at increased risk of suffering medical incidents if placed on jobs which exceeded their strength abilities.
Adolescent↗
Isometric strength testing as a means of controlling medical incidents on strenuous jobs.
This investigation was performed to determine if isometric strength tests can be used to select workers for strenuous jobs and to reduce occupational injuries which are caused by a mismatch between worker strength and job strength requirements. Twenty jobs in a tire and rubber plant were studied biomechanically to identify critical strength-demanding tasks. Four strength tests were designed to simulate these tasks, and performance criteria were established for passing the tests. New applicants were administered the tests during their preplacement examinations to determine if they possessed sufficient strength to qualify for the jobs. The medical incidence rate of employees who were selected using the strength tests was approximately one-third that of employees selected using traditional medical criteria. It was concluded that isometric strength tests can be used to reduce occupational injuries and should be considered for implementation in industries with strenuous jobs.
Accidents, Occupational↗
Preemployment strength testing: an updated position.
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Biomechanical Phenomena↗
A method for evaluating the biomechanical stresses resulting from manual materials handling jobs.
Manual materials handling tasks are inherent to many different jobs in industry today. The performance of such tasks exposes the worker to a variety of biomechanical hazards. This paper proposes a formalized algorithm for evaluating such hazards, and demonstrates the use of the algorithm in four different jobs. Medical data from these jobs are presented which serve to confirm the types of biomechanical stresses quantified by the biomechanical evaluations.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
Workplace risk factors and occupational musculoskeletal disorders, Part 2: A review of biomechanical and psychophysical research on risk factors associated with upper extremity disorders.
Injuries and disorders caused by overexertion and repetitive motion are the leading causes of compensable lost-time cases in the United States. Epidemiological and laboratory-based research methods have been used to evaluate the significance of various risk factors associated with overuse injuries and disorders. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health performed a comprehensive review of over 600 epidemiological studies in 1997 and concluded that there was evidence of a causal relationship between workplace exposures to forceful exertions, repetition, awkward posture, and vibration and disorders of the neck, shoulder, and upper extremities. Although epidemiological studies provide important insights to understanding the causes of work-related overuse disorders, they are sometimes criticized for their inability to measure precisely how people respond to specific risk factors found in the workplace. This article presents a review of recent laboratory studies and biomechanical models of work factors believed to be associated with increased risk of upper extremity injuries and disorders. Biomechanical models and laboratory studies do not replace epidemiological studies. However, these approaches provide important complementary information that is needed to understand the complex process of how exposures to physical risk factors result in strain that may ultimately lead to injury or disease. These studies also provide important insights as to how people react and respond to specific physical risk factors found in the workplace. Combined with epidemiological research, laboratory studies are an essential element in understanding the causes and prevention of work-related overexertion injuries.
Arm↗
Using multiple information sources to identify opportunities for ergonomic interventions in automotive parts distribution: a case study.
An essential activity in any ergonomics program is determining specific work locations and activities where physical demands place workers at increased risk of sustaining an overexertion injury. To do this, safety and health professionals rely on a variety of information sources to identify and prioritize opportunities for ergonomic interventions. As part of a 4-year project to reduce overexertion injuries in the service parts division of a major auto maker, a study was performed in 19 parts distribution centers to evaluate the contributions of the following information sources in identifying specific high-risk work locations and activities: (1) archival medical/injury records, (2) identification of "problem tasks" by plant-based ergonomic committees, (3) facility walk-throughs by experienced ergonomists, and (4) detailed ergonomic job analyses. Archival records were not particularly useful in identifying high-risk activities because essential exposure information (e.g., task, work location) was not documented. Walk-throughs and detailed ergonomic analyses were partially effective in identifying high-risk activities; however, in some cases the observation time was too short to observe peak exposures. Ergonomic committees were generally effective in identifying specific high-risk tasks and work locations. Rankings of "problem tasks" from multiple sites identified consensus division-wide ergonomic concerns. Detailed ergonomic job analyses confirmed that these tasks had high exposure to ergonomic risk factors. This study demonstrated potential pitfalls in relying on a single information source to identify work locations and activities that place workers at increased risk of overexertion injury.
Automobiles↗
Workplace risk factors and occupational musculoskeletal disorders, Part 1: A review of biomechanical and psychophysical research on risk factors associated with low-back pain.
Injuries and disorders caused by overexertion and repetitive motion are the leading causes of compensable lost-time cases in the United States. Epidemiological and laboratory-based research methods have been used to evaluate the significance of various risk factors associated with overuse injuries and disorders. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health performed a comprehensive review of over 600 epidemiological studies in 1997 and concluded that there was evidence of a causal relationship between low-back injuries and disorders and workplace exposures to forceful exertions, awkward posture, and vibration. Although epidemiological studies provide important insights to understanding the causes of work-related overuse disorders, they are sometimes criticized for their inability to measure precisely how people respond to specific risk factors found in the workplace. This article presents a review of recent laboratory studies and biomechanical models of work factors believed to be associated with increased risk of low-back injuries and disorders. Biomechanical models and laboratory studies do not replace epidemiological studies. However, these approaches provide important complementary information that is needed to understand the complex process of how exposures to physical risk factors result in strain that may ultimately lead to injury or disease. These studies also provide important insights as to how people react and respond to specific physical risk factors found in the workplace. Combined with epidemiological research, laboratory studies are an essential element in understanding the causes and prevention of work-related overexertion injuries.
Back Injuries↗