Analysis of Cumulative Trauma Disorders and Work Methods

摘要

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate procedures for evaluating occupational factors of cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity in industry. Incidence rates of cumulative trauma disorders were determined for each job class in a poultry processing plant and a furniture panel manufacturing plant. Five jobs with incidence rates from 17.4 to 129.6 cases per 200,000 work hours in the poultry plant and two jobs with incidence rates of 10.9 and 15.0 cases per 200,000 work hours in the panel plant were selected for further study to identify repetitive exertions associated with cumulative trauma disorders. Films and surface electromyography were used to document hand postures and forces of experienced workers during one or more work cycles; an MTM analysis was performed to describe the work elements.