NIOSH has proposed a study
on the effectiveness and cost-benefit of OSH interventions to prevent
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers in the manufacturing sector. The study will focus on two intervention strategies for reducing
MSD symptoms and pain:
1. Articulating spring-tensioned tool support
device that unloads from the worker the weight of the tool that would otherwise
be manually supported;
2. a targeted exercise program intended to increase
individual employees' strength and endurance in the shoulder and upper arm
stabilizing muscle group.
Both of these intervention approaches have been used in the manufacturing
sector and evidence suggests that they work. However, in order to have tested
and complete evidence, NIOSH, in partnership with Toyota, plans to assess the
effectiveness of these interventions through controlled trials. The study will
be conducted using a randomized group and controlled trial multi-time series
design, and NIOSH expects to complete data collection by 2014. To comment on
this prospective study, visit the Federal
Register.