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Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace Low Back and Upper Extremities (2001) / Chapter Skim
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Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 364-369

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From page 364...
... · The panel concludes that there is a clear relationship between back disorders and physical load; that is, manual material handling, load moment, frequent bending and twisting, heavy physical work, and whole-body vibration. For disorders of the upper extremities, 364
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From page 365...
... A1though automation and the introduction of a wide variety of technologies will characterize work in the future, manual labor will remain important. As the workforce ages and as more women enter the workforce, particularly in material handling and computer jobs, evaluation of work tasks, especially lifting, lowering, carrying, prolonged static posture, and repetitive motion, will be required to guide the further design of appropriate interventions.
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From page 366...
... 3. The National Center for Health Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health should include measures of work exposures and musculoskeletal disorder outcomes in ongoing federal surveys (e.g., the National Health Interview Surveys, the National Health and Nutritional Examinations)
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From page 367...
... The research agenda is presented in Chapter 12. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Because of the importance of continued data collection and research to further elucidate the causes and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders of the low back and upper extremities, the panel believes it would be useful for relevant government agencies, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to consider the following program initiatives.
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From page 368...
... 2. Expanding considerably research training relevant to musculoskeletal disorders, particularly with relation to graduate programs in epidemiology, occupational health, occupational psychology, and ergonomics, to produce additional individuals with research training.
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From page 369...
... In addition, other federal agencies (e.g., the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute of Mental Health) would have to broaden their support of research programs examining musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace.
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Key Terms

  • occupational safety
  • psychosocial factors
  • upper extremities
  • risk factors
  • skin diseases

  • material handling
  • directly relevant
  • evidence justifies
  • upper extremity
  • job stress

  • extremity disorders
  • examining musculoskeletal
  • enhanced quantification
  • reduce substantially
  • sciences directly

  • equipment design
  • increasing age
  • heavy physical
  • job demands
  • employer commitment

  • comprehensive surveillance
  • body mass
  • computer jobs
  • professionals concerning
  • ongoing federal

  • occupational exposure
  • frequent bending
  • following program
  • various physical
  • physical exposures


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