This article was downloaded by: [Carnegie Mellon University] On: 22 January 2015, At: 02:30 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
Ergonomics Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/terg20
Back to basics with ProFlex M. DE RUITER
a
a
3M Nederland B.V , PO Box 193, Leiden, 2300 AD, The Netherlands Published online: 27 Mar 2007.
To cite this article: M. DE RUITER (1990) Back to basics with ProFlex, Ergonomics, 33:3, 383-385, DOI: 10.1080/00140139008927140 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139008927140
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
ERGONOMICS, 1990, VOL. 33, No.3, 383-385
Back to basics with ProFlex M. DE RmTER 3M Nederland B.V., PO Box 193, 2300 AD Leiden, The Netherlands
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 02:30 22 January 2015
Keywords: Lifting; Low back pain; Back support; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Wrist support; Prevention.
Despiteadvances in tool and machinedesignand a growingemphasison safety,the potential for certain painful and expensive occupational injuries continues in the workplace.Wrist and low-backinjuriesare a casein point. Low-backpain is clearly the most costly occupational health problem. About half of all back injuries result from poor liftingand handling techniques.In order to augment the effect of training and educating workersin liftingtechniques,safetyconsultants have beensuggesting that certain at-risk groups be provided with flexible, externally worn lower-back support. Susceptibility to repetitivestrain injuriesto the wrist,such as carpal tunnel syndrome, is not limited to users of heavyindustrial machinery. Actions that cause the wrist to deviate from the neutral position, as well as repeated gripping and squeezing, can lead to median nerve compression. A useful supplement to the standard preventive approach is the use of palm pads.
1. Introduction In The Netherlands, 51% of men and 57% of women in a large population survey had experienced low-back pain (Chaffin and Andersson 1984). In the USA back injuries affect 22 million people every year (Jones et al. 1981). Back injuries are second only to the common cold in worker absenteeism and represent approximately 30% of industry's total injuries. In the USA, job-related injuries cost $32 billion in 1982, about $10 billion of which, primarily due to low-back pain and cumulative trauma disorders, was related to manual material handling. Back pain accounts for 70% of the manual material-handling injuries. An average low-back injury costs the insurer about $6000. About half of all back injuries result from poor lifting and handling techniques (Steemson 1988). There is, however, controversy about the benefits of training employees on how to handle and lift materials. Some sources say that such training has not reduced injuries, others disagree. But in the USA such training is required by law. At any rate, good lifting techniques should be taught by qualified, experienced instructors (Steemson 1988). Cumulative trauma disorders, also known as repetitive-motion injuries, develop from repeated movements that unnecessarily strain parts of the body. Tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by any repetitive wrist movement. In the office, video-display terminals make typing so easy that some operators hit keys at a rate of more than 10000 times an hour. Hence cumulative trauma disorder is sometimes dubbed 'VDT disease' (Mallory 1989). In the USA the average carpal tunnel syndrome costs about $3500 in benefits and rehabilitation. Cumulative trauma injuries make up about 2% of all manual material-handling related injuries. Low-skilled, highly specialized jobs result from the emphasis on the standardization of work for coordination in a so-called machine bureaucracy, which is the offspring of industrialization (Mintberg 1981). OOI
Ergonomics Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/terg20
Back to basics with ProFlex M. DE RUITER
a
a
3M Nederland B.V , PO Box 193, Leiden, 2300 AD, The Netherlands Published online: 27 Mar 2007.
To cite this article: M. DE RUITER (1990) Back to basics with ProFlex, Ergonomics, 33:3, 383-385, DOI: 10.1080/00140139008927140 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139008927140
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
ERGONOMICS, 1990, VOL. 33, No.3, 383-385
Back to basics with ProFlex M. DE RmTER 3M Nederland B.V., PO Box 193, 2300 AD Leiden, The Netherlands
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 02:30 22 January 2015
Keywords: Lifting; Low back pain; Back support; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Wrist support; Prevention.
Despiteadvances in tool and machinedesignand a growingemphasison safety,the potential for certain painful and expensive occupational injuries continues in the workplace.Wrist and low-backinjuriesare a casein point. Low-backpain is clearly the most costly occupational health problem. About half of all back injuries result from poor liftingand handling techniques.In order to augment the effect of training and educating workersin liftingtechniques,safetyconsultants have beensuggesting that certain at-risk groups be provided with flexible, externally worn lower-back support. Susceptibility to repetitivestrain injuriesto the wrist,such as carpal tunnel syndrome, is not limited to users of heavyindustrial machinery. Actions that cause the wrist to deviate from the neutral position, as well as repeated gripping and squeezing, can lead to median nerve compression. A useful supplement to the standard preventive approach is the use of palm pads.
1. Introduction In The Netherlands, 51% of men and 57% of women in a large population survey had experienced low-back pain (Chaffin and Andersson 1984). In the USA back injuries affect 22 million people every year (Jones et al. 1981). Back injuries are second only to the common cold in worker absenteeism and represent approximately 30% of industry's total injuries. In the USA, job-related injuries cost $32 billion in 1982, about $10 billion of which, primarily due to low-back pain and cumulative trauma disorders, was related to manual material handling. Back pain accounts for 70% of the manual material-handling injuries. An average low-back injury costs the insurer about $6000. About half of all back injuries result from poor lifting and handling techniques (Steemson 1988). There is, however, controversy about the benefits of training employees on how to handle and lift materials. Some sources say that such training has not reduced injuries, others disagree. But in the USA such training is required by law. At any rate, good lifting techniques should be taught by qualified, experienced instructors (Steemson 1988). Cumulative trauma disorders, also known as repetitive-motion injuries, develop from repeated movements that unnecessarily strain parts of the body. Tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by any repetitive wrist movement. In the office, video-display terminals make typing so easy that some operators hit keys at a rate of more than 10000 times an hour. Hence cumulative trauma disorder is sometimes dubbed 'VDT disease' (Mallory 1989). In the USA the average carpal tunnel syndrome costs about $3500 in benefits and rehabilitation. Cumulative trauma injuries make up about 2% of all manual material-handling related injuries. Low-skilled, highly specialized jobs result from the emphasis on the standardization of work for coordination in a so-called machine bureaucracy, which is the offspring of industrialization (Mintberg 1981). OOI
