Repetitive Stress Injuries Handbook

Resources

• Internet resources  
• Government resources
• Printed material

Internet Resources

There are thousands of ergonomics-related websites. NEA cannot vouch for the accuracy or completeness of the sites on this list, but they all have merit, and some are excellent. Those that are essentially ads for consulting services or products are included here if they also include basic information about repetitive stress injuries and/or ergonomic solutions.

Ergoweb
www.ergoweb.com/resources/casestudies/

Ergoweb is an online forum on ergonomics. The site includes Introduction to Ergonomics, Frequently Asked Questions, Ergonomics Glossary, Ergonomics Concepts, Case Studies, and Reference Materials. Case studies describe real life examples in which ergonomics hazards have been addressed. Each case study consists of a task description, ergonomic risk factors, administrative or design solutions, comments, and vendor information. Case studies currently on the site cover school custodians and nutrition services, among other occupations

OhioBureau of Workers' Compensation
www.ohiobwc.com/employer/programs/safety/ErgonomicLinks.asp

This agency has developed "Ergonomic Best Practices," a series of industry-specific publications that could help prevent cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in your workplace." Ergonomics Best Practices for Public Employers" is full of useful information about best practices for, among other worksites, VDT workstations, school buses, and custodial and maintenance work.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca/products/subjects/ergonomic.html

Among their products and services are the following:
> Cold Weather Workers Safety Guide
> Food Service Workers Safety Guide
> Groundskeepers Safety Guide
> Health and Safety Guide for Libraries
> Office Ergonomics Safety Guide
> Warehouse Workers Safety Guide

Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia
www.worksafebc.com

Publications include "Preventing Injuries to Dishwashers" and "Back Talk: An Owner’s Manual for Backs."

Labor Occupational Health Program, University of California at Berkeley
ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/

LOHP is a community outreach program at the University of California, Berkeley whose work addresses today’s health and safety needs in nearly every industry, from healthcare to agriculture to construction. Among the current projects:
> Ergonomics
> Human factors
> Immigrant workers
> Union health and safety skills
> Workers' compensation
> Workplace violence

The UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health (UCLA-LOSH) Program
www.losh.ucla.ed

UCLA-LOSH works with workers, unions, community-based organizations, academics and health professionals to improve environmental health and safety conditions for workers, with a special emphasis on those in Southern California.

University of Victoria , British Columbia
http://ohs.uvic.ca/ergonomics/index.html

The University of Victoria has various ergonomic programs and services focusing on the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal injuries.

Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH)
www.MassCOSH.org

MassCOSH brings together workers, unions, community groups, and health, safety and environmental activists to organize and advocate for safe, secure jobs and healthy communities throughout eastern and central Massachusetts. Throughtraining, technical assistance and building community/labor alliances, MassCOSH mobilizes its members and develops leaders in the movement to end unsafe work conditions. Sponsors RSI Action (www.rsiaction.org) an all-volunteer organization, that advocates for the health, safety and rights of office workers, focusing on computer-related Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs).

Computer-Related Repetitive Strain Injury, by Paul Marxhausen
eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html

A very brief introduction to computer-related RSI with an extensive list of book references and links to helpful Internet resources, including where to get information about workers’ compensation and legal help.

The CTD Resource Network, Inc.
www.ctdrn.org/

The CTD Resource Network, Inc. (CTDRN) is a nonprofit organization that provides educational material related to the prevention and treatment of cumulative trauma disorders (also known as repetitive stress injuries).

The Typing Injury FAQ
www.tifaq.com

The Typing Injury FAQ (frequently asked questions) is an educational site, provided by the CTD Resource Network, Inc., containing a wide variety of information about repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), resources for dealing with these ailments, and a broad description of assistive products to reduce injury risk and symptoms.

CTDNews
www.ctdnews.com

CTDNews–Workplace Solutions for Repetitive Stress Injuries is aimed at employers. Includes ergonomics tips and solutions to improve workplace safety, prevent employee injuries, and keep workers’ compensation costs down.

American Society of Safety Engineers, Ergo Resources Project
www.asse.org/govern_affair_ergo.htm

ASSE provides links to worldwide ergonomics resources, from governments, to universities, to computer manufacturers.

Humanics Ergosystems
www.humanics-es.com

Humanics Ergosystems is a consulting firm with original reports and articles and a wealth of ergonomics resources including workplace ergonomics, ergonomics for children and people with disabilities as well as design of the built environment. Also extensive links to medical research and resources.

Government Resources

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration
www.osha.gov

Access to state ergonomics plans and many publications about ergonomic issues, especially RSI issues involving computers.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/

Among the many resources offered are:
> NIOSH Musculoskeletal Documents on CD-ROM: Preventing Work-Related Disorders
> NIOSH FACTS: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
> Cumulative Trauma Disorders in the Workplace Bibliography
> NIOSH: Elements of Ergonomics Programs. Provides basic information that will be useful for employers, workers, and others in designing effective programs to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)
www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh

This page provides links to several online ergonomics-related publications provided by DOSH.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA )
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada

The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. Among the publications on the website are ADA Questions and Answers, and lists of information and technical assistance sources.

Printed Material

Ergonomics: A Common Sense Activity That Can Save Schools Money. Fleer, Paul; Gauthier-Green, Erin. School Business Affairs; v68 n6 , p24-30 ; June 2002.

Describes the use of ergonomics to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome that often effect custodians, food service workers, maintenance personnel, and computer users. Describes ergonomics and how to identify ergonomic problems, conduct a job hazard analysis, and develop solutions. Also lists common ergonomic errors in schools. Provides an ergonomic checklist for employees working on computers.

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities at the National Institute of Building Sciences
1090 Vermont Ave., NW Suite 700,Washington,D.C. 20005
Toll free: 888-552-0624 or 202-289-7800
www.edfacilities.org

Extensive literature list of school-maintenance-related topics

"The Ergonomics of School Bus Driving and the Successful Campaign of the Boston School Bus Drivers' Union to Redesign Their Buses to Reduce Injuries"
Susan Moir, Sandra Baldwin-Gonsalves, and Tolle Graham, MassCOSH.
apha.confex.com/apha/128am/techprogram/paper_14509.htm

Briefly describes "The School Bus Design Project," a report that identified 9 specific ergonomic design problems in school buses and proposed solutions. Several of the design solutions proposed by the Committee have been incorporated in specifications for purchase of new buses by the city of Boston. As of September 2000, all full size and half buses in Boston have ergonomically adjustable drivers’ seats and automatic doors.

Dr. Pascarelli's Complete Guide to Repetitive Strain Injury: What You Need to Know About RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

A 2004 update to his best-selling 1994 book "Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer User’s Guide." Emil Pascarelli, M.D., is one of the world’s leading experts on repetitive strain injury. List Price: $17.95. Paperback: 272 pages. Publisher: Wiley, June 2004. ISBN: 0471388432

It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, by Suparna Damany and Jack Bellis.

Jack Bellis writes, on his website http://www.rsiprogram.com/ "When a physical therapist performed tests on me that my surgeon didn’t -- before or after the operation on my ulnar nerve -- and my symptoms returned in a few weeks, I decided that someone had to tell the story. With my therapist, Suparna Damany, I’ve written a book on the subject, entitled "It’s Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: RSI Theory & Therapy for Computer Professionals." In the book and on this web site is what I learned about RSI, without embellishment or false promises, and with hard details -- not just accolades -- from other patients." $19.95 list price. 234 pages. 2000. ISBN 0965510999.

"Ergonomically Designed Tools: Selecting the Right Tool for the Job," Industrial Engineering, July 1993, p.27-29."

Ergonomics is the science of optimizing the interaction between the person, the job, and the environment. The primary goal of ergonomics is to create a safe, comfortable workplace that will reduce the potential for cumulative trauma injuries." Although ergonomically correct work stations and tools may cost more initially than others, they are expected to save money in the long run because workers will lose less work time ,workers will not file workers’ compensation claims, and employers will not have to train new employees.

"The Comfort Zone," by Steve Hirano, School Bus Fleet, December 1996.

  Ironically, occupational injuries are driving school bus drivers out of driving at the very time when there is a national driver shortage. Manual door levers are a major cause of shoulder injury; bumpy roads can cause back problems."Losing driver services represents wasted recruitment and training efforts in addition to expensive workers’ comp claims."

Better Work Environments. Murray, Chris. School Planning and Management; v41 n12, p22-23 ; December 2002.

Looks at equipment, process, and training aspects of backpack vacuum cleaners that facilitate good ergonomics and high productivity levels, focusing on: designing new equipment for bodies and productivity; creating comfortable backpack harnesses; improving the work process via team training; and providing ergonomic training to ensure that backpack vacuums are worn and used properly.

To "Glossary"