Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders at a pulp and paper mill

A small cross-sectional study of upper extremity disorders was conducted in two departments of a pulp and paper mill. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of upper extremity disorders and identify any associated work place risk factors in long cycle jobs with multiple tasks of varying duration. Physical exams and health status interviews were conducted on 23 employees (77%) in the paper machine department and on 17 employees (59%) of the power and recovery department. All participants completed questionnaires on physical and psychosocial job characteristics. There was a statistically significant difference in hand and wrist disorders between the two departments at the p < 0.05 level (34.8% in the power and recovery department, and 5.9% in the paper machine area). Multiple logistic regression models showed a significant relationship between the use of a steel lance and shoulder disorders. Elbow arthritis was also associated with lance usage. There was evidence that the job analysis was not able to fully describe the risk factors present in the paper machine department. Biomechanical exposures existing prior to the time of the study may not have been adequately characterized. An important aspect of this study is that the jobs studied were not typical repetitive jobs that are commonly studied.