Cumulative trauma disorders ergonomics

Keyserling, W. M., Stetson, D. S., SUverstein, B. A., and Brouver, M. L. (1993), A Checklist for Evaluating Risk Factors Associated with Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Ergonomics, Vol. 36, No. 7, pp. 807-831. 

As discussed in ANSI Z-365 (1999), surveillance is defined as the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health ruid exposure data in the process of describing and monitoring work-related cumulative trauma disorders. Surveillance is used to determine when and where job analysis is needed and where ergonomic interventions may be warranted. 

Armstrong, T. (1986), Ergonomics and Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Hand Clinics, Vol. 2, pp. 553-565. 

Armstrong, T. J., and Lifshitz, Y. (1987), Evaluation and Design of Jobs for Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders, in Ergonomic Interventions to Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries in Industry, American Conference of Governmental Industried Hygienists, Lewis, Chelsea, MI. 

Karwowski, W., and Marras, W. S. (1997), Cumulative Trauma Disorders, in Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2nd Ed., G. Salvendy, Ed., John Wiley Sons, New York, pp. 1124-1173. 

Unfortunately, ergonomics has been narrowly and inappropriately perceived by some to include only cumulative trauma disorders. Opportunities for risk reduction and improving productivity and cost efficiency are lost if ergonomics concepts are not applied to all aspects of workplace and work methods design presenting excessive biomechanical stresses—cumulative or instantaneous. 

C. Medical Management An effective medical management program for cumulative trauma disorders is essential to the success of an employer s total ergonomic program. 

Exposure of a body part to a hard or sharp surface repetitively or forcefully at a workstation or on a tool. Contact stress has been associated with Cumulative Trauma Disorders. It may be considered during ergonomic evaluations. 

By 1991, that percentage had increased to over 60 percent. A conservative estimate of the medical costs of treating one industrial case of carpal tunnel syndrome, a type of cumulative trauma disorder affecting the wrists and hands, is about 20,000 a year. This cost estimate does not take into consideration the costs involved with lost work time, replacement workers, and lower productivity. Only the common cold and the flu cause workers to miss more work annually. Additional expenses to the employer resulting from ergonomic hazards in the workplace are administrative expenses associated with flling insurance claims and recordkeeping. 

Ergonomics has become a major element of safety. About one-third of all worker compensation claims involve repetitive motion disorders or cumulative trauma disorders. Some estimate that such claims wUl cUmb to one-half of all worker compensation claims. 

Cumulative Trauma Disorders Current Issues and Ergonomic Solutions. A Systems Approach. (1992). Kathryn G. Parker and Harold R. Imbus. Boca Raton, FL Lewis Publishers. 

Some ergonomically designed keyboards are available with a rest-time indicator, which encourages the user to take a break from the computer. Although laptop computers are portable and convenient, work-related musculoskeletal injuries can still occur if one does not observe proper ergonomic principles while using a laptop. Cumulative trauma disorders, caused by repetitive strain or motion injuries and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, are the largest cause of occupational disease in the United States. 

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... 

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. 

Another way to solve the problem is to eliminate constraints. Tools, equipment, and time might be in this category since these constraints can take many forms. Ergonomic considerations in job design is a potential constraint. Employees who are forced to stoop, bend, twisf turn, stretch, lean, reach, or assume unnatural postures to perform routine tasks are subject to discomfort and fatigue. Discomfort and fatigue may distract fiom immediate hazards, and chronic physical stresses may make employees prime candidates for such cumulative trauma disorders as carpal tuimel syndrome and tendinitis. 

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). 

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