Ergonomic Counseling
Synonyms
Definition
An ergonomic approach to a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is directed at decreasing the impact of the load, since the risk for the development of a WMSD is dependent on the relation between the imposed load and the physical resistance ( load-bearing capacity) of the tissue.
Characteristics
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have become a major problem in many industrialized countries and are among the most prevalent lost-time injuries in almost every industry (Bernard 1997). Consequently, the prevention of WMSDs is an important topic, not only for the welfare of the employees, but also for the employer. However, workers adapt themselves relatively easily to difficult work situations and accept high levels of effort and/or discomfort as an inevitable “part of the job” (Pope et al. 1984). The principles of prevention are therefore a part of the total treatment of the complaint rather than an effective...
References
- Adams, M. A., & Dolan, P. (1995). Recent advances in lumbar spinal mechanics and their clinical significance. Clinical Biomechanics, 10, 3–19.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Armstrong, T. J. (1994). Ergonomics and cumulative trauma disorders. In M. L. Kasdan (Ed.), Occupational injuries (pp. 553–567). Philadelphia: WB Saunders.Google Scholar
- Bernard, B. P. (1997). A critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. US Department of Health and Human Services.Google Scholar
- Boos, N., Reider, V., Schade, K., et al. (1995). The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging, work perception and psychosocial factors in identifying symptomatic disc herniations. Spine, 20, 2613–2625.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Feuerstein, M., Sult, S., & Houle, M. (1985). Environmental stressors and chronic low back pain: Life events, family and work environment. Pain, 22, 295–307.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Fung, Y. C. (1981). Mechanical properties of living tissues. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
- Grandjean, E. (1980). Fitting the task to the human: An ergonomic approach. London: Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
- Henrick, H., & Brown, O. Jr. (Eds.). (1984). Human factors in organizational design and management. (pp. 99–155). Amsterdam: North-Holland.Google Scholar
- Hertzberg, R. W., & Manson, J. A. (1980). Fatigue of engineering plastics (p. 64). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
- Holmes, T. H., & Rahe, R. H. (1967). The social readjustment rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11, 213–218.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Kazarian, L. E. (1972). Dynamic response characteristics of the human vertebral column. An experimental study on human autopsy specimens. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica Supplement, 146, 1–186.Google Scholar
- Lampe, A., Sollner, W., Krismer, M., et al. (1998). The impact of stressful life events on exacerbation of chronic low back pain. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 44, 555–563.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Liker, J. K., Joseph, B. S., & Armstrong, T. J. (1984). From ergonomic theory to practice: Organizational factors affecting the utilization of ergonomic knowledge. In J. Henrick & A. Brown (Eds.), Human factors in organizational design and management (pp. 1–256). New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
- Melhorn, J. M. (1998). Cumulative trauma disorders and repetitive strain injuries: The future. Clinical Orthopaedics, 351, 107–126.Google Scholar
- Mish, F. C., & Gilman, E. W. (1991). Webster’s ninth new collegiate dictionary (pp. 87–88). Springfield: Merriam-Webster.Google Scholar
- Niemcryk, S., Jenkins, C. D., Rose, R. M., et al. (1987). The prospective impact of psychosocial variables on rates of illness and injury in professional employees. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 29, 645–652.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Pope, M. H., Frymoyer, J. W., & Andersson, G. (1984). Occupational low back pain. New York: Praeger.Google Scholar