Citation

Habes DJ, Putz-Anderson V. J. Saf. Res. 1985; 16(2): 49-60.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Twenty evaluations of reported biomechanical hazards were performed by the National Institue for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the request of industrial workers or management over an 8-year period. The evaluations were part of the Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance (HETA) program authorized under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. A number of these evaluations are described here. Principles drawn from the field of ergonomics were used to evaluate whether a certain work activity has caused an observed incidence of cumulative trauma to the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Procedures for conducting these ergonomic evaluations are reviewed, and the results are summarized. Recommendations are made for implementing control procedures, and the problem of obtaining reliable follow-up information is discussed. Project results suggest an encouraging degree of success in accomplishing prevention and control of biochemical hazards in the workplaces studied.