Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: design as a prevention strategy. A review

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are of serious concern to many organizations, including industry, insurance, and health care. They are also of immediate concern to the workers and their families who are adversely affected by these disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a substantial source of economic drain to these organizations. Sources of this drain include economic losses incurred from lost or decreased productivity as well as medical treatment and indemnity costs. Therefore, it is within the best interest of these organizations to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders from occurring, before they manifest into serious issues of medical, social, and economic concern. The purpose of this paper is to review the concept of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and discuss the basis of their prevention as a primary means of occupational injury and illness management. The principal contributory role of ergonomics/human factors is presented as a viable means of prevention and an important contributor to the comprehensive management of these disorders.