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Questions and Answers
What is the maximum handle diameter suitable for male users?
What is the maximum handle diameter suitable for male users?
Why are cylindrical handles preferred over handles with finger grooves?
Why are cylindrical handles preferred over handles with finger grooves?
What is the minimum required length for a handle to accommodate 95th percentile users?
What is the minimum required length for a handle to accommodate 95th percentile users?
What is the ideal position of the wrist joints when using tools?
What is the ideal position of the wrist joints when using tools?
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What is the benefit of using a perpendicular grip when working at a horizontal surface?
What is the benefit of using a perpendicular grip when working at a horizontal surface?
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Why are pistol grip handles preferred for tools like soldering irons?
Why are pistol grip handles preferred for tools like soldering irons?
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What is the consequence of repeated exposure to ulnar deviation when using straight handled tools?
What is the consequence of repeated exposure to ulnar deviation when using straight handled tools?
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What type of grip is most suitable for powered tools?
What type of grip is most suitable for powered tools?
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Why are obliquely set handles preferred for tools like saws and pliers?
Why are obliquely set handles preferred for tools like saws and pliers?
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What is the ideal orientation of the task with respect to the operator when using powered tools?
What is the ideal orientation of the task with respect to the operator when using powered tools?
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Study Notes
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)
- WMSDs are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves resulting from injury sustained while completing work duties.
- They are the result of regular exposure to work activities that contribute significantly to the development or exacerbation of painful symptoms.
- Conditions that are worsened or that persist due to work conditions, such as repetitive and frequent work activities.
International Classification of Diseases for WMSDs
- Nerve root and plexus disorder:
- Brachial plexus lesions
- Unspecified nerve root and plexus disorder
- Mononeuritis of the upper limb and mononeuritis multiplex:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve entrapment)
- Lesions of the ulnar nerve (cubital tunnel syndrome)
- Lesions of the radial nerve
- Mononeuritis of the upper limbs (unspecified)
- Other peripheral vascular disease:
- Raynaud’s syndrome
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (hand–arm vibration syndrome)
- Arterial embolism and thrombosis:
- Arteries of the upper extremities (ulnar artery thrombosis)
- Other disorders of the cervical region:
- Cervicobrachial syndrome (diffuse)
- Unspecified musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms referable to the neck
- Peripheral enthesopathies and allied syndromes:
- Disorders of the bursae and tendons in the shoulder region (rotator cuff syndrome, supraspinatus syndrome, bicipital tenosynovitis)
- Enthesopathy of the elbow region (medial and lateral epicondylitis)
- Disorders of muscle, ligament, and fascia:
- Unspecified disorder of muscle, ligament, and fascia
- Other disorders of the synovium, tendon, and bursae:
- Synovitis and tenosynovitis
- Trigger finger (acquired)
- Radial styloid tenosynovitis (de-Quervain’s)
- Other tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist
- Specific bursitis
- Unspecified disorder of the synovium, tendon, and bursa
- Other disorders of soft tissues:
- Myalgia and myositis (fibromyositis)
- Other musculoskeletal symptoms referable to the limbs (cramping, swelling)
- Other, unspecified, disorders of soft tissue
Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes
- Tasks that require horizontal work, such as fastening a screw into a horizontal desktop with a powered screwdriver, can be improved with in-line tools.
Ergonomic Interventions
- Handle design:
- Redesign tools with longer handles or handle extensions to increase vertical reach and avoid raising hands above shoulder height.
- Use high-friction materials for handles to reduce grip force.
- Maintain neutral wrist posture and avoid excessive use of ‘pinch grip’.
- Damp vibration from powered tools and encourage use of large muscle groups.
- Upper arm posture should be elevated to avoid awkward postures.
- Tool design and posture:
- Bend the handle (5–10 degrees) to avoid bending the wrist.
- Avoid excessive use of ‘pinch grip’ and maintain neutral wrist posture.
- Reduce required grip force and use high-friction materials for handles.
- Add handles for carrying tools and resisting reaction torque.
Preventing WMSDs of Upper Limbs
- Tool design and posture:
- Avoid excessive use of ‘pinch grip’ and maintain neutral wrist posture.
- Reduce required grip force and use high-friction materials for handles.
- Add handles for carrying tools and resisting reaction torque.
- Nerve injury:
- Repeated or prolonged exertion causes injury to nerves supplying a muscle or passing through it.
- Avoid awkward postures that ‘pre-load’ tendons and ligaments and stretch muscles and nerves.
- Tendon injury:
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is characterized by pain on the thumb side of the wrist and impaired thumb function.
- Avoidance of ulnar-deviated wrist postures is recommended.
- Bursa injury:
- A bursa is a sac containing viscous fluid situated at places in tissues where friction would occur.
- Overexertion and injury can cause inflammation of bursae, or bursitis.
- Peripheral neuropathies and non-localized arm pain:
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) describes a range of different problems that affect muscles, tendons, joints, and nerves in your upper body.
- Repeated strain on these tissues can start to damage them, leading to symptoms such as pain and loss of strength.
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Description
Learn about Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), a group of painful disorders caused by work activities, and their symptoms.
