Abstract
The awareness and reporting of upper-limb cumulative trauma disorders have increased significantly in recent years. These disorders are a leading cause of worker impairment and disability in many industries and occupations. Utilizing its egregious or occurrence-by-occurrence citations and fines, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has leveled record penalties against employers for violations of its general duty clause and recordkeeping requirements. In addition to monetary fines, settlement agreements have included company commitments to ongoing control programs. Industrial hygienists and safety professionals frequently are called upon to assist employers and workers with these problems. Areas of assistance include: (1) educating facility personnel about cumulative trauma disorders, employers' responsibilities, and what can and cannot be done to prevent cumulative trauma disorders; (2) evaluating available safety and health data; (3) conducting a preliminary assessment of jobs for possible risk factors of cumulative trauma disorders; (4) working with facility personnel on the design and evaluation of interventions; and (5) working with facilities and associated medical professionals to develop plans for management of affected workers. This assistance will be most effective if the industrial hygienist or safety professional works through a team of facility personnel.