Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-81-217-1086, Miller Electric Company, Woonsocket, Rhode Island

摘要

On June 24, 1981, NIOSH provided technical assistance to the Area Office of OSHA, Providence, Rhode Island, by conducting an ergonomic assessment at the Miller Electric Company, Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Fifty-six cases of cumulative trauma disorders of the hand and wrist had occured at the plant since 1973. Thirty-four of these cases were ganglion cysts on the hand or wrist. The company manufactures electrical extension cords and cordsets. The work force of about 415 consists predominantly of women. They wind and trim wire, assemble and pack cordsets, and mold plug housings onto stripped cord. Jobs evaluated through the use of 8-mm movies and photographs were found to require repetitive flexion and extension of the wrist, radial and ulnar deviations, and some pinching. Past studies have shown these postures and movements to be associated with the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and arm such as tendonitis, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ganglion cysts.