| Musculoskeletal Disorders |
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MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
NIOSHTIC-2 Search
Scientific Support from Epidemiologic Research
Ergonomics Programs and Interventions
Evaluating Risk Factors for Lifting Tasks
Back Belts and Back Injury
Computer Keyboards & Video Display Terminals
Vibration
Other Resources
Ergonomics is the scientific study of people at work. The goal of ergonomics is to reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks. This is accomplished by designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment to fit the employee's physical capabilities and limitations.
NIOSHTIC-2 Search
NIOSHTIC-2 Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
Scientific Support from Epidemiologic Research
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors: A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-141 (1997)
A comprehensive compilation and review of epidemiologic research on the relation between work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back and exposure to physical factors at work. It includes a bibliography and tables summarizing the literature.
Ergonomics Programs and Interventions
Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-122 (August 2007)
The solutions in this booklet are practical ideas to help reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury in common construction tasks. While some solutions may need the involvement of the building owner or general contractor, there are also many ideas that individual workers and supervisors can adopt.
Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-131 (April 2007)
This booklet is written for managers and supervisors in industries that involve the manual handling of containers. It offers suggestions to improve the handling of rectangular, square, and cylindrical containers, sacks, and bags.
Conference Proceedings: Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Children and Adolescents Working in Agriculture
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-119 (June 2004)
The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of a national conference that was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 6-7, 2002. The agricultural safety and health experts who attended the meeting identified specific topic areas regarding WMSDs among children and adolescents working in agriculture for which little or no research exists.
Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-164 (September 2004)
This document presents an easy to use guideline for selecting or purchasing the best available ergonomically designed non-powered hand tools.
Elements of Ergonomics Programs: A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-117 (1997)
This publication describes the basic elements of a workplace program aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. It includes a "toolbox," which is a collection of techniques, methods, reference materials, and sources for other information that can help in program development.
Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Farm Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-111 (2001)
En Español
This booklet describes how to make or order inexpensive new tools or to modify existing ones to reduce the risk of backaches and pains in the arms, shoulders, and hands of farm workers.
Controlling the Ergonomic Hazards of Wiring Tasks for Household Appliances  [PDF - 102 KB]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-108 (December 1997)
This pamphlet presents a hierarchy of four methods for reducing workers' physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. The methods described are low-insertion force terminals, pneumatic hand tools, manual terminal insertion tools, and properly designed pliers.
Ergonomics: Effective Workplace Practices and Programs
Individual transcripts of presentations from the 1997 Chicago Conference sponsored by NIOSH and OSHA. At the conference, over 1,000 attendees shared practical experiences in all aspects of workplace ergonomics programs. Dozens of presenters described real-world efforts aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Each conference session focused on a specific industry, including construction, textiles, warehousing, healthcare, manufacturing, etc., or an important ergonomics program element, such as successful employee involvement.
National Occupational Research Agenda for MSDs: Next Decade of Research
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-117 (January 2001)
A research agenda developed by the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Musculoskeletal Team. Information was compiled from focus groups consisting of practitioners and researchers. The document is organized to reflect the four areas of the NORA Team agenda: Surveillance research agenda, etiologic and medical research agenda, intervention research agenda, and improving the research process. Appendices give a detailed listing of all focus group responses.
Ergonomic Interventions for the Soft Drink Beverage Delivery Industry  [PDF - 3129 KB]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-109 (1996)
This publication presents the results of an ergonomic study to investigate, identify, and reduce risk factors that may cause musculoskeletal disease and injury in the soft drink beverage delivery industry.
A Strategy for Industrial Power Hand Tool Ergonomic Research - Design, Selection, Installation, and Use in Automotive Manufacturing  [PDF - 4800 KB]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 95-114 (August 1995)
Proceedings for a workshop that was held in January 1994. This paper discusses the many variables to take into consideration when purchasing or designing hand tools, such as physical stressors, work performance, engineering requirements, human operator capabilities, and work station or task factors. A table of tool types, stressful tool conditions, and possible resulting risk factors is included. The final chapter is a discussion of possible engineering design issues (e.g., posture, force, gloves, center of gravity, tool activation, reaction torque, balancers) for reducing physical risk factors.
Participatory Ergonomic Interventions in Meatpacking Plants
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-124 (1994)
This publication presents three case studies using intervention efforts to control ergonomic hazards found in the meatpacking industry.
Evaluating Risk Factors for Lifting Tasks
Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-110
This publication includes the rationale and supporting criteria for the development of the revised NIOSH lifting equation and provides users with methods and examples for accurately applying the lifting equation to a variety of lifting tasks.
Vibration
Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-106
Examines the occupational health problems associated with the use of vibrating tools and provides criteria for reducing the risk of developing vibration-induced health problems.
Vibration Syndrome
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 83-110
Provides research that shows vibrating handtools can cause vibration syndrome, a condition also known as vibration white finger and as Raynaud's phenomenon of occupational origin. Vibration syndrome has adverse circulatory and neural effects in the fingers.
Other Resources
Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing Home Residents  [PDF - 4169 KB]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-117 (February 2006)
This guide is intended for nursing home owners, administrators, nurse managers, safety and health professionals, and workers who are interested in establishing a safe resident lifting program.
Worker Health Chartbook, 2004
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-146
This booklet's content is taken from the Worker Health Chartbook, 2000 (NIOSH Publication #2000-127), a comprehensive guide to surveillance data for work-related fatal and nonfatal injury and illness. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data regarding repeated trauma disorders within private industry (specifically carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis) are presented.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders in the Workplace Bibliography
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.95-119 (1995)
Collects NIOSH research on Cumulative Trauma Disorders in the workplace.
NIOSH Alert: Preventing Knee Injuries and Disorders in Carpet Layers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-104
Includes research and recommendations to help prevent knee injury.

NIOSH Research Projects: Musculoskeletal Disorders  [PDF - 75 KB]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-109 (1997)
National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)
• National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Priority Research Area: Low Back Disorders
Features general information about low back disorders, project list, more...
• National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Priority Research Areas: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities
Features general information about musculoskeletal disorders, project list, more...
The information for both can be found in The Team Document  starting on page 27 through page 32.

Selected Topics in Surface Electromyography for Use in the Occupational Setting: Expert Perspective
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 91-100
Basic instruction and information on the interpretations and applications of surface EMG.
Worker Protection: Private Sector Ergonomics Yield Positive Results  [PDF - 2468 KB]
GAO REPORT HEHS-97-163
Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities (2001)
(National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences)
External Link: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309072840/html/
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of the Evidence National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (1998) (National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences)
External Link: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309063272/html/index.htm
Work-Related Laborers Health and Safety Fund of America—Occupational Safety and Health Division—Ergonomics and Construction on the Move
External Link: http://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm?objectid=EB4CE18C%2DD56F%2DE6FA%2D9F264298BF045289
Department of Defense: Ergonomics Working Group
External Link: http://www.ergoworkinggroup.org/
*Info obtained from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/
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ERGONOMIC WORKING TIPS
By Neil Kokemuller, eHow Contributor
updated: January 6, 2011
Ergonomics is the applied scientific study of design and arrangement of things that people use, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Ergonomics is used to improve efficiency and safety of equipment, furniture and tools by employees in various organizations. Objects are described as ergonomically designed when part of the manufacturing design is centered on ergonomics.
| 1. Spread out | In their October 2007 "The Ultimate Guide to Workstation Ergonomics:10 Easy Tips," the editors of HR World listed setting up a work area with a large enough space for full range of motion as priority number one. Some employees do not have as much control over their workspace, but employers and employees should consider the importance of stretching out limbs and moving around. You should also place items in your office for easy and comfortable access. |
| 2. Rest hands | "Ergonomic Tips for Work and Home" by The Helping Hand website notes the importance of hand resting and stretching. This is a popular workplace ergonomics tip in the 21st century computer-dominated work environment. Data entry clerks, receptionists and many other professionals spend hours a day at the computer, holding a mouse. The site advises that you use a loose grip on the mouse and "rest your palms, not your wrist, on a wrist-rest or the desktop." |
| 3. Clear desk | Although cubicle office setups are often full of them, the HR World editors point out that desks of the same size and shape are not ergonomically suitable for all employees. Using a document holder, arranging items neatly and within reach on your desk, and keeping the underneath area of your desk clear are suggestions to make your desk space more ergonomic. This is important since office workers often spend eight hours a day at their desks. |
| 4. Supportive chair | Office chairs are among the first items workers think of when they consider the ergonomics of their work space. A good, adjustable office chair is imperative for back and lumbar support and comfortable seating. The Helping Hand encourages workers to "sit so the natural hollow (of the chair) stays in your lower back." Chronic back problems can result, or become worse, if you sit in a chair that is not the right size or fit for you. |
| 5. Office lighting | Office lighting is another major consideration in ergonomics. The "Safe Computing Tips" website indicates that you have to adjust position, angle and intensity of lighting sources to fit the type of work you do. Lighting is also a consideration with computer monitors. Using maximum brightness leads to eye strain and fatigue if you look to focus on small objects on the screen. Tips include: Placing lights parallel to your sight line, using light diffusers to reduce computer monitor brightness, using 4-bulb fluorescent light fixtures, and having proper desk illumination for reading and writing. |
ERGONOMICS RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Cornell University Ergonomics Web
Ergonomics Info
Typing Pal Online
Ergoweb
Occupational and Industrial Orthopedic Center
Steelcase Design Ergonomic Furniture
ESI Ergo Solutions
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