Recently, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among endoscopists have attracted considerable attention. MSDs are caused by prolonged static postures, forceful manual exertions, and repetitive twisting maneuvers. Basic knowledge of ergonomics is useful for improving the posture, movements, and work environment of endoscopists, as well as developing equipment to prevent MSDs. This review discusses problematic endoscopic tasks from an ergonomic perspective, issues with MSD definitions, the prevalence of MSDs, local site interpretations, risk factors including working time and environment, and ergonomic evaluations. The evidence highlights the importance of multifaceted strategies for risk avoidance using the Hierarchy of Controls. Additionally, this review summarizes global trends and introduces the Ergonomic Endoscopy 7 Tips for MSD prevention, emphasizing a systems approach through collaboration with various stakeholders. Thus, it may serve as a guide for gastroenterologists and staff engaged in endoscopic procedures for prolonged periods.

Objective: To find the association between ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among school teachers. Methods: 40 subjects were selected for the study, to assess the prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) with the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) and evaluate for ergonomics in class and while working on computers/smart phones, and awareness of the same was noted with the help of checklists and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper limb Assessment (RULA) tools. Results: REBA scores revealed that majorly, teachers were at medium risk levels of getting MSDs, with 72.72% of primary teachers, and 75.86% of secondary teachers for tasks performed, whereas RULA scores concluded that 48.27% of secondary teachers and 45.45% of primary teachers were in the medium risk level of getting MSDs. Conclusions: The research revealed an association between ergonomics and the prevalence of MSDs in school teachers, and demonstrated the sites involved in the MSDs.

Injuries caused by workplace activities that involve repetitive motion, known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), increasingly concern workers, employers, and regulators because of their frequency and high treatment costs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently proposed a national rule designed to reduce the workplace risk of MSDs. OSHA estimates there were about 626,000 MSDs in 1997, representing about one-third of all serious nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. OSHA estimates the proposed rule will cost $4 billion per year and generate $9 billion per year in benefits. Yet, OSHA does not provide sufficient evidence that private markets are failing to reduce MSD risk without government intervention and does not convincingly demonstrate that the rule will result in more good than harm. Unless OSHA effectively addresses some of the more serious flaws in the proposed rule, OSHA should not proceed with the final regulation. OSHA should more carefully evaluate the nature and extent of MSDs in the workplace than it did in the proposed rule and use improved economic analysis to target serious MSDs that employers can reduce at low cost. Furthermore, OSHA should include new provisions to improve employer access to information about reducing workplace risk of MSDs. The rule's ergonomics program requirements should apply only to those MSDs which employers do not have sufficient incentive to reduce without government intervention.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção, Florianópolis, 2012O presente estudo teve como objetivo propor e implementar um programa de intervenção ergonômica baseado nos princípios da ergonomia participativa e da análise ergonômica do trabalho e gerenciado pelo ciclo PDCA, a fim de verificar a eficácia do mesmo tanto na redução do risco ergonômico das situações de trabalho quanto das queixas e afastamentos do trabalho decorrentes de distúrbios osteomusculares. O cenário para o estudo foi o setor de revisão de uma empresa do setor do vestuário localizada na cidade de Blumenau - SC, com a participação de todas as operadoras do setor. O programa de intervenção ergonômica proposto e implementado no estudo permitiu tanto o levantamento de dados acerca da situação de trabalho, quanto a proposição, seleção e validação de soluções ergonômicas com a participação efetiva não só do pesquisador mas, principalmente, das operadoras do setor. Como resultado do programa de intervenção ergonômica, foi implantada no setor uma nova bancada de trabalho de plano inclinado e com um sistema manual de ajuste de altura. Esta bancada eliminou a necessidade das operadoras permanecerem com os ombros em ângulos de flexão e abdução inadequados durante todo o processo de revisão das peças. Além da redução da exposição das operadoras a posturas inadequadas do ombro, pode-se observar, através da análise dos dados de visitas ambulatoriais e afastamentos do trabalho, que não foi registrada, nos nove meses posteriores à introdução das novas bancadas de trabalho, nenhuma visita ao ambulatório da empresa devido a queixas de desconforto/dor osteomuscular na região dos ombros por parte das operadoras do setor, assim como não ocorreu nenhum afastamento do trabalho destas pelo mesmo motivo. Assim sendo, o presente estudo permitiu concluir que o programa proposto e implementado no presente estudo foi eficaz tanto na redução do risco ergonômico das situações de trabalho, quanto na redução das queixas e afastamentos do trabalho decorrentes de problemas osteomusculares.Abstract : The main objective of this study was to propose and to implement a ergonomic program based on the principles of participatory ergonomics and of ergonomic analysis of work and managed by the PDCA cycle, in order to verify the program's efficacy in reducing not only the ergonomic risk of certain work activities, but also complaints and absence from work due to musculoskeletal disorders. The study was conducted in the quality control department of a garment industry located in the city of Blumenau - SC, with the participation of all department's operators. The ergonomic intervention program proposed and implemented in this study allowed to survey data about the work situation, and to propose, select and validate ergonomic solutions with effective participation not only of the researcher, but, mainly, of the department's operators. As a result of the ergonomic intervention program, it was implanted a workbench with an inclined plane and a manual height adjustment system. This change eliminated the need for operators to remain at inadequate angles of shoulder flexion and abduction throughout the entire review process. In addition to reducing the exposure of operators to inadequate shoulder postures, it could be observed through the analysis of data from the industry's ambulatory and from the personnel department that none of the operators went to the ambulatory due to musculoskeletal complaints in the shoulder region, just as there were no absences from work for the same reason, in a period of nine months after the introduction of the new workbenches. Therefore, this study showed that the intervention program proposed and implemented in this study was effective in reducing the ergonomic risk of work situations and in the reduction of complaints and absence of the work due to musculoskeletal problems

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a growing and probably undervalued concern for neurosurgeons and spine surgeons, as they can impact their quality of life and career length. This systematic review aims to ascertain this association and to search for preventive measures. We conducted a PRISMA-P-based review on ergonomics and WMSDs in neurosurgery over the last 15 years. Twelve original articles were included, of which 6 focused on spine surgery ergonomics, 5 cranio-facial surgery (mainly endoscopic), and one on both domains. We found a huge methodological and content diversity among studies with 5 surveys, 3 cross-sectional studies, 2 retrospective cohorts, and 2 technical notes. Spine surgeons have sustained neck flexion and neglect their posture during surgery. In a survey, low back pain was found in 62% of surgeons, 31% of them with a diagnosed lumbar disc herniation, and 23% of surgery rate. Pain in the neck (59%), shoulder (49%), finger (31%), and wrist (25%) are more frequent than in the general population. Carpal tunnel syndrome showed a linear relationship with increasing cumulative hours of spine surgery practice. Among cranial procedures, endoscopy was also significantly related to shoulder pain while pineal region surgery received some attempts to optimize ergonomics. Ergonomics in neurosurgery remains underreported and lack attention from surgeons and authorities. Improvements shall target postural ergonomics, equipment design, weekly schedule adaptation, and exercise.

By keeping in view the ISO standards which emphasize the assessment of use of a product, this research aims to assess the prolonged use of computers and their effects on human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between extent of computer use (per day) and carpal tunnel syndrome, computer stress syndrome, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal problems. The second objective was to investigate the extent of simultaneous occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders among computer users. The sample in this exploratory study consisted of 120 employees and students. Self administered questionnaire was used as an instrument in this field survey study. The findings confirmed that computer related health disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders occur simultaneously among prolonged computer users such as employees and students. The simultaneous occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders is more among employees than students and those who are both employees and students. Employees who use computer daily for more than four hours are more likely subjected to the risks of all these four health disorders. The study concludes that by observing some rules of using computer, minimizing and treating of these disorders are possibleKeywords: Computer, Prolonged use, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Computer Vision Syndrome, Health Disorders, Employees, Students.

Abstract Objective As a maritime country, Indonesia has diverse biodiversity. Recently in coastal area, the industry that manages marine products has been grown rapidly and one of them is the seaweed industry. Takalar Regency has become one of center of seaweed industry development in Indonesia especially in South Sulawesi. However, there is lack of concern about health and safety problems particularly ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among seaweed farmers. Method The study uses a mixed method design combining quantitative and qualitative approach. The sample were taken from four districts; Mangarabombang, Mappakasunggu, Sanrobone and North Galesong. Results More than 50% of the workers mentioned that they often work in bending position and almost 45% of the workers mentioned that they often work sitting sideways or twisting. self-reporting symptoms of MSDs include pain/sore particularly in lower back area 66.5%, fever 5.6%, sprain 8.7%, numb 3.1% and strain more than 60%. Conclusion This research found that large number of employees performed their job in nonergonomics positions that might be associated with MSDs. The research revealed as well the number of farmers who suffer from MSDs symptoms. It is suggested to apply ergonomic rules and principles by redesign tools and the work process.

Pre- and post-intervention data on health outcomes, absenteeism, and productivity from a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design field study of office workers was used to evaluate the economic consequences of two ergonomic interventions. Researchers assigned individuals in the study to three groups: a group that received an ergonomically designed chair and office ergonomics training; a group that received office ergonomics training only; and a control group. The results show that while training alone has neither a statistically significant effect on health nor productivity, the chair-with-training intervention substantially reduced pain and improved productivity. Neither intervention affected sick leave hours.ergonomics, chair, pain, DeRango, Upjohn

Critical analysis of a Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention ProgramThe studies involving the development of occupational diseases and accidents at work prevention programs have delimited two facts. One of them is that the program must be linked to the general organization politics. The other fact is that the diagnosis and the intervention about the organizational culture are necessary for the program to reach its goals. This research have aimed to evaluate an ergonomic intervention called Legislature Court, – Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Program – developed, during one year, at the in Santa Catarina, compounded by 61 work environments. The demand have come from the institution direction, which have noticed the growing rise of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Thus, the direction have hired two professionals from the Ergonomics area (phychologist and physiotherapist) for contributing to the team organization which would be formed by the institutions´employess. The PMDP have initially aimed: to investigate the diseases demand and to evaluate the professionals, able to participate in the multidisciplinary team which would develop the PMDP. The program have gathered diagnosis strategies and interventions highlighted by ergonomics, work psychology and physiotherapy. The strategies were brought in two dimensions: the organizational and the individual. On the individual dimension there were performed physical activities on the work environment, followed by discussions about body conscious, in 14 place of the institution, visitations for understanding the work conditions, followed by discussions about the furniture adequacy and body posture; and three groups of preventive activities. On the organizational dimension it was planned for the multidisciplinary team to integrate the department in charge of the maintenance of the building and the health department. For the critical analysis of the program’s results, the data were collected by: : a) historical rescue of the PMDP; b) surveys with the employees who partipated in the multidisciplinary team; c) questionnaires in a stratified pre-sample of the activities´particpants. The critical analysis of the program´s results, can be initially understood, by the political aspect, due to the fact that the multidisciplinary team was built aiming the self-management, facing the human relations´ institutionalization, which permeates the politics adopted by the Intitution. However, the team didn´t reflect about the politics ´attitude and how it was against the whole organization politics. The team professional project was intervening on the Musculoskeletal Disorders prevention. This made them to be recognized as references on Ergonomics and Health. However, the team wasn´t recognized by the institution’s direction, who didn’t have a commitment with the PMDP. To conclude, the result’s criticism shows the comprehension a team must have about its own politics, about its organization politics and how it can determine a Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention Program and its limits

Plan BOSHA is proposing an ergonomic standard to help employers address ergonomic hazards in the workplace. Ergonomics is currently, covered under the general duty clause, which stipulates that employers must provide a safe workplace free from recognized hazards. The purpose of this study was to measure the preparedness of Company XYZ for the implementation of the new proposed standard. The significance of this study is that Musculoskeletal Disorders account for one third of the occupational injuries reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OSHA estimated that ergonomic programs that were developed in house already protect over 50 percent of all employees and 28 percent of the work place in general industry. In this study, Company XYZ had some of the major components of the ergonomic program currently in place. A lot of the current policies were not recognized as potential ergonomical interventions to the operators and/or management. Company XYZ has several job functions that must be addressed before this standard can be fully implemented. These job functions will pose the greatest impact to the company as far as ergonomics is concerned. This company will need to educate the employees with the impact of ergonomics to the workforce in order to reach full compliance with the standard

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.O cirurgião-dentista (CD) no seu exercício profissional clínico sofre considerável constrangimento postural devido a limitações espaciais inerentes à própria tarefa. O campo de trabalho, além de possuir dimensões reduzidas, pode estar localizado em regiões bucais de difícil acesso, exigindo que o CD assuma posturas bastante deletérias, justificando a grande incidência de distúrbios músculo-esqueléticos ocupacionais (DMOs) entre os cirurgiões-dentistas. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar a ocorrência dos DMOs nos cirurgiões-dentistas da Secretaria de Saúde de Florianópolis através do Questionário Nórdico Músculo-esquelético Modificado (QNM) e Mapeamento de Desconforto Físico. Também foi feita a abordagem do risco ergonômico das posturas ocupacionais pelo método RULA # Rapid Upper Limb Assessment # e a verificação do arranjo físico do posto de trabalho pelo Diagrama de Horas. Dos 31 cirurgiões-dentistas, 80,6% apresentaram algum distúrbio músculo-esquelético, sendo que 60% apresentaram distúrbios músculo-esqueléticos em pelo menos três regiões do corpo. A partir dos dados coletados foi possível evidenciar o aspecto multifatorial dos distúrbios músculo-esqueléticos ocupacionais. Portanto, para sua prevenção e controle, a minimização dos riscos ergonômicos no ambiente de trabalho se faz necessária. O arranjo físico do equipamento odontológico apresentou limitações grosseiras tais como a localização da mesa de trabalho fora da área de alcance do profissional e assento de trabalho mal desenhado. As limitações do equipo somadas às características adversas da própria tarefa certamente trazem conseqüências prejudiciais à assistência em saúde, ora comprometendo a qualidade e produtividade do serviço prestado, ora debilitando severamente o cirurgião-dentista. The dentist performs his tasks under considerably postural constraints to access the operative field. The clinical tasks are developed in the limited space of the oral cavity and require excessive leaning and contorting of the body. As a result, the dentist is often at great risk for developing work-related muskuloskeletal disorders (WRMDs). The aim of this investigation was to assess subjectively effects of WRMDs among dentists in the Public Dental Service in Florianópolis city and also identify some ergonomic factors of the workplace that may develop WRMDs. The modified Nordic Muskuloskeletal Questionnaire, the Body Discomfort Map, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and the Clock Diagram were used in this investigation. Also, a literature search was performed. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort was high - of the 31 dentists that took part 80,6% reported symptoms in the locomotor system. 60% of the respondents reported experiencing three or more body parts with musculoskeletal pain or discomfort. The findings also indicated an interaction of psychosocial factors and job demands. Indeed, WRMDs have a multifactorial etiology and many associated causes, including physical, work organizational, psychosocial, individual, and sociocultural factors. The dental equipments investigated didn#t include ergonomic concepts proving to be poorly designed. In regard to awkward postures that must be reduced in the workplace, the dental equipment should be redesigned. The task also should be designed in order toavoid improper work habits as prolonged sitting, unsupported sitting, instruments that are difficult to reach and wasting motions. Some ergonomics recommendations were made to create a safe and sound working environment. Ergonomic interventions for prevention and reduction of WRMDs should include education and awareness to dentists regarding the implications of work-related risk factors, and encouraging people to accept change

Abstract It has been noticed that doctors who regularly perform ultrasound examinations have different clinical manifestations of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this research is to examine the level of knowledge of ultrasonographers regarding preventative measures and health consequences of the forced body positions during work. The total of 75 doctors of both genders, aged 31-50 years, who use ultrasound diagnostics participated in the research. The research was conducted throughout 2016, as a crosssectional study, with the aid of a structured questionaire. The total of 60% subjects either rarely use the break during working hours or do not have a break at all. The participants most commonly use the movable monitor and the ability to wrap the cable around their arm (73,3%). This percentage is similar in all age groups. The respondents most often stated that they walk daily (41,3%), with no differences among age groups. 25% of the respondents negate any spine related pains, while over a half said that they experience pain in one segment of the spinal column (cervical, thoracic or lumbar), regardless of the age group. 52% said that they serch for information on their own accord, while 36% stated that they are not at all informed. Only in less than 10% of cases is information provided by the authorities in the institution where the participants are employed, and during regular health examinations, information is given by the designated doctor in 2,7% of cases.The respondents implement the recommendations regarding safe work and other preventative measures to a very small extent, regardless of gender and age. Most of the respondents experience pain in the spine and joints, which can be related to the work in ultrasound diagnostics. Additionally, doctors are not well-informed regarding the preventative measures.

Objectives: To study the association between organisational downsizing and subsequent musculoskeletal problems in employees and to determine the association with changes in psychosocial and behavioural risk factors. Methods: Participants were 764 municipal employees working in Raisio, Finland before and after an organisational downsizing carried out between 1991 and 1993. The outcome measures were self reports of severity and sites of musculoskeletal pain at the end of 1993 and medically certified musculoskeletal sickness absence for 1993-5. The contribution of changes in psychosocial work characteristics and health related behaviour between the 1990 and 1993 surveys was assessed by adjustment. Results: After adjustment for age, sex, and income, the odds ratio (OR) for severe musculoskeletal pain between major and minor downsizing and the corresponding rate ratios for musculoskeletal sickness absence were 2.59 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5 to 4.5) and 5.50 (3.6 to 7.6), respectively. Differences between the mean number of sites of pain after major and minor downsizing was 0.99 (0.4 to 1.6). The largest contribution from changes in work characteristics and health related behaviour to the association between downsizing and musculoskeletal problems was from increases in physical demands, particularly in women and low income employees. Additional contributory factors were reduction of skill discretion (relative to musculoskeletal pain) and job insecurity. The results were little different when analyses were confined to initially healthy participants. Conclusions: Downsizing is a risk factor for musculoskeletal problems among those who remain in employment. Much of this risk is attributable to increased physical demands, but adverse changes in other psychosocial factors may also play a part

Managers usually associate ergonomics with occupational health and safety and related legislation, not with business performance. In many companies, these decision makers seem not to be positively motivated to apply ergonomics for reasons of improving health and safety. In order to strengthen the position of ergonomics and ergonomists in the business and management world, we discuss company strategies and business goals to which ergonomics could contribute. Conceptual models are presented and examples are given to illustrate: 1) the present situation in which ergonomics is not part of regular planning and control cycles in organizations to ensure business performance, and 2) the desired situation in which ergonomics is an integrated part of strategy formulation and implementation. In order to realize the desired situation, considerable changes must take place within the ergonomics research, education and practice community by moving from a health ergonomics paradigm to a business ergonomics paradigm, without losing the health and safety goals.corporate strategy;paradigm shift;system performance

"The basic elements of a workplace program aimed at preventing work related musculoskeletal disorders were described. This information was the result of extensive practical experience accumulated by NIOSH through investigations in actual workplace settings, providing technical assistance to employers and workers and evaluating the latest technical literature. A seven step pathway was defined leading to the control of work related musculoskeletal disorders. These seven steps included looking for signs of such disorders through cues and tipoffs to problems, setting the stage for action though management commitment and employee activity, building in house expertise through generalized and specialized training needs and resources, gathering and examining evidence of these disorders through health and risk factor data collection and assessment activities, developing controls through the use of options for reducing risks and evaluating their effectiveness, establishing health care management including the duties of the health care providers and others, and creating a proactive ergonomics program with an accent on prevention." - NIOSHTIC-2NIOSHTIC no. 0023768597-117.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB9711