American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
55 West Seegers Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005-3919
Contacts: Kay Coyne, Jackie Tithof
Phone: 847/228-6850
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
For Immediate Release: August 15, 1997
PHYSICIANS OFFER TIPS TO PREVENT CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS IN NEW LABOR DAY CHECKLIST
Chicago, August 15, 1997- In its second annual Labor Day CheckList of health and safety tips, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) outlines ergonomics tips to prevent cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), also known as repeated trauma disorders or repetitive stress illnesses.
"Every business needs to examine the overall health of the workforce and risk factors for CTD in and outside the workplace," warns Dr. Alain Couturier, an ACOEM member who developed this year's CheckList.
Who suffers most from CTDs? Women are nearly three times more likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome than their male counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Women who operate machinery and work on assembly lines or in retail stores are more prone to general CTDs than women who type or enter data.
Many employees also may be prone to CTDs from enjoying recreational activities at home, such as using the computer, playing the violin or piano, and driving or riding motorcycles long distances.
"Building a deck over the weekend may be dangerous for an out-of-shape executive," says Dr. Couturier. "Driving hundreds of nails into boards and beams without breaks or stretching can put strain on muscles."
The CheckList identifies 17 risk factors for employers and employees: inactivity, sleep, vices, diet, drugs, recreation, repetitive motion, posture, vibration, lifting, hand exertion, humidity, temperature, lighting, space, ventilation and floors.
Of 31,457 reported cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, 62 percent of workers miss at least 21 work days, according to 1995 BLS lost work time data.
ACOEM, an international medical society of 7,000 occupational medicine physicians, promotes worker and environmental health through preventive medicine, clinical practice, research and education.
For a complimentary copy of the 1997 Labor Day CheckList, send your name, title, and self-addressed business-size envelope to ACOEM, Labor Day CheckList, 55 W. Seegers Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005-3919; or e-mail [email protected].
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Note to reporters: The 1997 Labor Day CheckList follows. For a detailed news release with BLS charts, please fax your request, with your name and affiliation, to ACOEM, Labor Day CheckList, 847-228-1856, or e-mail [email protected].
1997 Labor Day CheckList
Ergonomics Tips to Prevent Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Make Labor Day an annual time to examine your workplace for health and safety risks. This year, use the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's 1997 CheckList to learn if you are at risk for cumulative trauma disorders, also known as repeated trauma disorders or repetitive stress illnesses.
Risk Factors Employers Employees
Workplace
Repetitive * provide job rotation, * vary task content,
Motion rest breaks pace, duration
* monitor line speed, * perform stretching
machine use exercises at rest breaks
* develop ergonomics * reduce prolonged sitting/standing
committee to review
workstation design,
perform job cycle,
analysis,measure outcomes
Posture * design workstations * avoid excessively flexing/
to minimize reaching; extending wrist
properly support back, * minimize overhead reaching
upper, lower extremi- * reduce leaning, bending,
ties; provide adjust- twisting to reach materials
able height, space,
seating
Vibration * engineer pneumatic * use anti-vibration gloves
hand tools to reduce to dissipate energy
vibration
Lifting * provide mechanical * vary load weight, lift duration
lifting support to reduce fatigue
* divide loads to reduce lifted/
carried weight
* center light weights in front
* use mechanical devices (hoists,
conveyors)
Hand * provide ergonomically * use tools with handles, grips
Exertion correct tools to keep designed to distribute force
wrist in neutral/ over large areas
straight position;
minimize vibration,
pinch grip, torque,
forceful hand exertion
Environment
Temperature * keep temperatures in * wear comfortable clothing
"comfort zones" of appropriate to conditions
73-79 F summer,
68-74.5 F winter
Humidity * keep relative humidity * drink plenty of water to
at 30-60% keep well hydrated
Lighting * provide adequate * ensure lighting causes no
overhead lighting glare, excessive shadowing
Space * free work space of * ensure sufficient leg room
clutter, provide ample
turning room
Ventilation * ventilate according to * get fresh air whenever
professional engineering possible
standards
* make sure ventilation
equipment works properly
Floors * install non-skid floors * wear non-slip shoes on
hard surfaces
Lifestyle
Inactivity * encourage physical * get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise
fitness (pulse at 75% of maximum heart rate)
3-4 times/week
Sleep * limit shift changes * get regular, restful sleep
Vices * ban alcohol and * avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine
cigarettes in workplace
Diet * promote wellness/ * eat a well-balanced diet
prevention programs * maintain desirable weight
Illicit * ban illegal drug use * avoid illicit drugs;
Drugs in workplace don't put yourself at risk at
* provide EAPs for home, workplace
individuals in need
Recreation * consider health club * limit knitting, keyboarding,
discounts racquetball playing, distance driving
Source: The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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