A strategy for evaluating occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders

There is a large and increasing incidence of work-related muscoloskeletal disorders, both upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders and low back pain. Several occupational risk factors have been linked with the development of musculoskeletal disorders. In order to identify the known occupational risk factors associated with a specific job, an analysis procedure is described to help identify ergonomic risk factors in the workplace. Job analysis should be one part of an overall ergonomics control program. Once the ergonomic risk factors have been documented, the ergonomics committee can use that information to begin developing solutions that will decrease or eliminate the identified risk factors. When placing a worker who is returning to the workforce after recovering from an injury, health care professionals can also use the information from the job analysis to assist in matching up task demands with worker capabilities and limitations.