Results of an OSHA ergonomic intervention program in New Hampshire

A number of articles have been written about the value of OSHA inspections, and to a lesser extent, OSHA targeting. However, there have been few, if any, that quantify the effectiveness of an injury specific targeting program. This study examines the change in the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a group of employers following the implementation of an OSHA Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for ergonomics by an area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The OSHA program consisted of inspections initiated between 1992 and 1995 in New Hampshire at work sites with a history of CTS and tendinitis workers' compensation claims. Workers' compensation data for 14 employers were examined and the annual incidence for that group were compared with the experience of all other New Hampshire employers. New Hampshire employers who had one or more of their work sites experienced a decline in carpal tunnel syndrome greater than in other New Hampshire employers. The annual incidence of CTS of inspected employers fell from 38/10,000 in 1992 to 3.8/10,000 in 1997. New Hampshire employers not receiving an inspection focused on upper extremity cumulative trauma hazards fell from 6.6/10,000 to 3.4/10,000 during that same period. The LEP group of employers was responsible for 17 percent of all workers' compensation CTS cases in New Hampshire in 1992. By 1997 their contribution had dropped to less than 5 percent.