Motion-related wrist disorders traced to industries, occupational groups

• Published in: Monthly labor review 1983-09, Vol.106 (9), p.13-16
• Main Authors: Jensen, Roger C., Klein, Bruce P., Sanderson, Lee M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Diseases; Disorders; Employment; Illnesses; Industrial accidents; Industrial agriculture; Injuries; Labor; Manufacturing; Manufacturing industries; Manufacturing Industry; Occupational accidents; Occupational diseases; Occupations; Physical trauma; Statistical data; Workers; Workers compensation; Workforce; Wrist; Wrist injuries
• ISSN: 0098-1818; 1937-4658

Jobs involving repetitive motions of the hand contribute a disproportionate share of occupational diseases and injuries. The 1979 annual survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates 21,900 cases associated with work activities involving repeated motions, vibrations, or pressure. Analysis of workers' compensation claims reveals that workers in manufacturing, construction, and agriculture are the most at risk. Research performed in a variety of industrial settings supports a positive association between repetitive hand motions and the incidence of various wrist disorders, an association reinforced by workers' compensation statistics. Some of the findings uncovered include: 1. The number of non-impact wrist injury compensation claims across 26 states reveals that manufacturing produced the greatest number of claims, with meatcutters and butchers heading the list of groups at risk. 2. For non-impact wrist disorders, the percentages of claims submitted by men and by women were very similar. 3. Manufacturing industries produced 23.8 claims per 100,000 workers, while agricultural industries produced a ratio of 9.6 claims per 100,000.