Trauma disorders, cumulative CTDs

In 1981, cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) made up about 18 percent of the occupational injuries and illnesses reported to OSHA. 

Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), also referred to as repetitive-motion injuries, result from excessive use of the hand, wrist, or forearm. As with overexertion injuries, the frequency and costs of CTDs are growing to epidemic proportions. Some of the most common cumulative trauma disorders are carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and tenosynovitis. 

Injury results either more or less instantaneousfy when the strain of muscles, tendons or ligaments carmot match the stress or load apphed, and these tissues are stretched or tom. Injirty can also result from repeated lower level overloading, i.e. cumulative trauma disorder - CTD. Note that the word strain or sprain is also applied to the injury. 

Watch the movements that employees make in performing their tasks to see if there are existing or potential cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) or other ergonomic issues Suggest processes for routine process hazard analysis... 

A second consultant was retained from the department of occupational medicine at the nearby university. The physician suggested a design for a health surveillance program to include cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) for the shoulders, arms, and hands of the employees working in light assembly. The program was designed to utilize employees and other resources already available at the company. 

A physician was consulted to help develop a cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) surveillance program. As one result, the physician made the portion of the pre-placement physical examination that dealt with the upper extremities and the back more detailed for the employees in the slaughter department and the division where carcasses are dismantled. At the 1-month and 1-year anniversary dates, randomly selected employees are invited back to be reexamined. Examination results that indicate early development of CTD are reported to the employees. In addition, management is informed about positions that need further evaluation. However, no personal information that identifies particular employees is released to management. 

The OSHA Log, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and the results from the cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) surveillance are kept in the nurse s office so that employees questions can be answered. All employee office visits are documented in the individual employee medical record. 

Carpal T mnel Syndrome A cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) often associated with activities involving flexing or extending the wrists or repeated force on the base of the palm and wrist. The carpal tunnel is an opening in the wrist under the... 

When the word ergonomics is mentioned most employers and many others will tend to make derogatory comments and act as thongh ergonomics is some kind of contrived problem. However, from my experience of visiting many types of industries and workplaces, it is not at all unusual for me to talk to a person who has had live surgeries related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), or repetitive motion injuries (RMls). In this chapter these terms will be used interchangeably. 

Vibrating tools and equipment at frequencies between 40 and 90 hertz can cause damage to the circulatory and nervous systems. Care must be taken with low frequencies, which have the potential to put workers at risk for vibration injuries. One of the most common cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) resulting from vibration is Raynaud s Syndrome. Its most common symptoms are intermittent numbness and... 

An illustrative case study. Several years ago, I consulted with the managers and safety leaders of a large work group who were genuinely concerned about the work pace of titeir line employees. The probability of a cumulative trauma disorder, especially carpal tunnel syndrome, was certainly a direct function of the work pace (Silverstein et al., 1987). Their question was, "How can we reduce the work pace " They essentially wanted my advice on an education or incentive program that would decrease the work pace and lessen the occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). 

The focus of ergonomics is on the work environment and includes factors such as design of workstations, controls, displays, safety devices, tools, and lighting to fit the employees physical requirements and to ensure their health and well-being. Many times a restructuring of the work environment helps to reduce the stressors that cause cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and repetitive motion injuries (RMIs). 

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) occur when stresses build up over time in a part of the body and cause pain or other discomfort. CTDs are often difficult to identity, classify, and manage because employees respond differently to stress, and they can be aggravated by activities outside the warehouse. Causes are sometimes difficult to isolate and control. 

Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) A disorder caused one or more of the following repetitive excessive motion of a body part, excessive force, or awkward body posture. 

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