Abstract
This prospective study is following a cohort of up to 1000 workers for three years to determine the relationship between risk factors and confounders and the development of clinically diagnosed upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs). Results from 535 workers at baseline in manufacturing and service industries showed that 28.8% of jobs had an average RULA grand score of 5–7 for the right side of the body, and 24.1% for the left. The average and median Strain Index scores for the right side were 19.8 (±42.5) and 5.1, and for the left side were 16.4 (±41.0) and 3.4. HAL TLV analysis showed that 65.7% of subjects were below the Action Limit for the right side and 71.6% for the left, while 18.7% were over the TLV for the right side and 15.2% for the left. These data in combination with more detailed measurements will be used in prospective analysis to quantify the relationship between risk factors and UEMSD outcomes.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.