Musculoskeletal disorders epidemiology

Occupational health and safety in the rubber industry is discussed with reference to UK, US and European legislation. The review covers both natural and synthetic rubber industries. The first section outlines the laws affecting health and safety in the industry and the remainder presents specific health and safety issues of interest to employers and employees. Industrial safety is examined with reference to equipment, fire and explosions, solvents, epidemiology, NR latex allergy, skin irritations and dermatitis, dust and fume control, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, nitrosamines, 1,3-butadiene, and handling of rubber chemicals. 484 refs. 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors A critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremities, and low back. Centers for Disease Control (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-141. Atlanta,... 

The scientific evidence of work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders has been firmly established by numerous epidemiologic studies conducted over the last 25 years of research in the field (NIOSH 1997). It has also been noted that the incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the reference populations were low, but not zero, most likely indicating the nonwork-related causes of these disorders. It was also documented that such variables as cultural differences, psychosocial and economic factors, which may influence one s perception and tolerance of pain and consequently affect the willingness to report musculoskeletal problems, may have significant impact on the progressions from disorder to work disability (WHO 1985 Leino 1989). 

Hildebrandt, V. H. (1987), A Review of Epidemiological Research on Risk Factors of Low Back Pain, in Musculoskeletal Disorders at Work, P. W. Buckle, Ed., Taylor Francis, London. 

Kelsey, J., and Hochberg, M. (1988), Epidemiology of Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders, Anima/ Review of Public Health, Vol. 9, pp. 379-401. 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (1997), Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and Workplace Eactors A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evideiwefor Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati. 

Barrero, L.H., Katz, J.N. Dennerlein, J.T. (2009) Validity of self-reported mechanical demands for occupational epidemiologic research of musculoskeletal disorders. Scandinavian journal of work, environment health, 35, 245. 

Punnett, L., Wegman, D.H. (2004). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders the epidemiologic evidence and the AtAsaXe. J Electromyogr Kines 14 13-23. 

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