Every year workers' low-back, hand, and arm problems lead to time away from jobs and reduce the nation's economic productivity. The connection of these problems to workplace activities-from carrying boxes to lifting patients to pounding computer keyboards-is the subject of major disagreements among workers, employers, advocacy groups, and researchers. Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace examines the scientific basis for connecting musculoskeletal disorders with the workplace, considering people, job tasks, and work environments. A multidisciplinary panel draws conclusions about the likelihood of causal links and the effectiveness of various intervention strategies. The panel also offers recommendations for what actions can be considered on the basis of current information and for closing information gaps. This book presents the latest information on the prevalence, incidence, and costs of musculoskeletal disorders and identifies factors that influence injury reporting. It reviews the broad scope of evidence: epidemiological studies of physical and psychosocial variables, basic biology, biomechanics, and physical and behavioral responses to stress. Given the magnitude of the problem-approximately 1 million people miss some work each year-and the current trends in workplace practices, this volume will be a must for advocates for workplace health, policy makers, employers, employees, medical professionals, engineers, lawyers, and labor officials.

Upper limb disorders (ULDs) are a particular group of muskuloskeletal disorders which affect the arm and neck. This revised guidance is aimed at managers with responsibility for workers who may be at risk of developing ULDs. It aims to help the reader understand the hazards and risks and how to control them. Includes: ULDs - managing the problem; risk assessment and solutions; monitoring and reviewing; medical aspects of ULDs; and legal requirements.

A collection of lectures from renowned international experts from the 1999 International Course for the Advanced Training in Occupational Health. Deals with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related problem in Europe - 25% of the EU-27 workers report suffering from backache and 23% complain about muscular pains. First, there are preventive steps that have to be taken. But for workers who already have MSDs, the challenge is to maintain their employability, keep them working and, if necessary, reintegrate them into the workplace. The aim of this report is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions at the workplace and to provide practical examples with respect to successful prevention of MSDs. It focuses mainly on the developments that have taken place since the previous European MSDs Campaign in 2000.

Work related muskuloskeletal disorders, or WMSDs, have become a major problem in many industrialised countries. It was previously thought that the number of repetitive jobs would decline in the future, leading to a decline in the number of WMSDs: however, this has not been the case. Some government agencies expect WMSDs to be one of the major work-related disorders into the new Millenium. This book contains evaluated scientific information that will help prevent WMSDs, derived from original research and field experience via a Canadian Government sponsored project on work related musculoskeletal disorders. The expert group's goal was twofold: the first objective was to examine the work relatedness of WMSDs in the light of existing literature, and the second was to explore and synthesize information, avenues and approaches that could help in the prevention of WMSDS.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) refer to a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions that occur in the workplace or are caused by work activities. WRMSDs affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves, and supporting blood vessels. These conditions can cause pain and functional impairment and they often result in direct economic costs to both the workplace and the worker. Injuries sustained at work can negatively affect a person's physical and mental health as well as a company's bottom line. This book describes the human musculoskeletal system, including such topics as anthropometry and posture, as it relates to accidents and injuries in the workplace. Chapters discuss such subjects as job standards; risk assessment; direct and indirect costs of WRMSDs; epidemiology, etiology, and pathology of WRMSDs; engineering and administrative controls; risk factor identification; injury management; and education and training. It presents a holistic approach to identifying, intervening, and preventing WRMSDs.