Institute of Medicine et al. (eds.) Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities

National Academies Press, 2001. — 511 p. — ISBN: 978-0309072847Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace examines the scientific basis for connecting musculoskeletal disorders with the workplace, considering people, job tasks, and work environments. A multidisciplinary panel draws conclusions about the likelihood of causal links and the effectiveness of various intervention strategies. The panel also offers recommendations for what actions can be considered on the basis of current information and for closing information gaps.This book presents the latest information on the prevalence, incidence, and costs of musculoskeletal disorders and identifies factors that influence injury reporting. It reviews the broad scope of evidence: epidemiological studies of physical and psychosocial variables, basic biology, biomechanics, and physical and behavioral responses to stress. Given the magnitude of the problem-approximately 1 million people miss some work each year-and the current trends in workplace practices, this volume will be a must for advocates for workplace health, policy makers, employers, employees, medical professionals, engineers, lawyers, and labor officials.Dimensions of the Problem
Methodological Issues and Approaches
Review of the Evidence
Epidemiological Evidence
Tissue Mechanobiology
Biomechanics
Occupational Stress
Interventions in the Workplace
Work Now and In the Future
Implications
Patterns of Evidence
Conclusions and Recommendations
Research Agenda