Potential risk factors of cumulative trauma disorders in a pharmaceutical industry

In the last 20 years, varied countries have cited cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) as the main example of musculoskeletal injury in the workplace. In addition to the most cited contributing biomechanical risk factors, organizational and psychosocial factors have also been recognized as important contributors. The purposes of this investigation were: 1) to study the work-related cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremities among individuals working in a packaging line and 2) to list some recommended ways to improve the work conditions, reducing the risk of cumulative trauma disorders. Questionnaires were applied to access the workers' physical complaints as well as to observe the symptoms throughout the shift. The tasks were videotaped for further Frame by frame analysis. Specific recommendations for each station as well as a list of general recommendations were provided. Biomechanical, psychosocial and organizational risk factors were found among the packaging line tasks. After 8 months the most critical recommendations were implemented and a slightly, bur constant decrease in complaints were observed.