Ergonomic disorders.

Shoulder problems are well-documented as an occupational illness. The incidence of occupational shoulder problems is increasing. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted to see if otolaryngologists are more susceptible to shoulder impingement syndrome because of their occupation. Endocrinologists were used as the control group. Among 556 questionnaires sent to otolaryngologists, 367 (64.6%) responses were returned compared with 210 questionnaires sent to endocrinologists, of which 138 (65.7%) responses were returned. A total of 88 (24.0%) of the otolaryngologists had suffered from impingement syndrome compared with 15 (10.9%) of the endocrinologists, which was significantly different. Of those with impingement syndrome, more endocrinologists gave a history of injury or overuse compared with otolaryngologists. There must be another factor, leading to increased incidence of impingement syndrome, which may be because of the continuous flexion, and abduction of their shoulders during examination and operating on patients.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗

PubMed2002

Integration of ergonomics into hand tool design: principle and presentation of an example.

The development of ergonomic tools responds to health protection needs on the part of workers, especially the work related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs and to the development of ergonomic tools to take into account the needs of the factories. Only an ergonomic design process can enable tool manufacturers to meet these requirements. Three factors are involved: integration of ergonomics into the design process, definition of the different ergonomic stages involved, and finally knowledge of the different factors involved in hand tool design. This document examines these 3 elements in more detail and presents briefly a project of research whose main purpose is to integrate ergonomic criteria into a design process.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗