Workplace upper limb disorders: a prospective study with intervention

A prospective longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of upper limb disorders in an electromechanical plant between 1980 and 1988. It included clinical and epidemiological studies, measurement of vibration produced by the power tools used, ergonomic assessment of the works and time and motion studies. Simultaneously during the same period remedial actions were taken through multidisciplinary interventions when the specific causal factors were known. The study shows the clinical entities of the disorder, identifies the risk factors and evaluates the results of the interventions. It assists in establishing a cause and effect relationship for the condition and demonstrates the way a preventive strategy could be developed.