Saf Health Work.  2018 Jun;9(2):125-132. 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.10.003.

Vibration and Ergonomic Exposures Associated With Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Shoulder and Neck

• Charles LE
• Ma CC
• Burchfiel
• Dong RG

• KMID: 2415412
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.10.003

Abstract

BACKGROUND
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32% of all nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2014 among full-time workers. Our objective was to review and summarize the evidence linking occupational exposures to vibration and awkward posture with MSDs of the shoulder and neck.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted using the terms musculoskeletal disorders, vibration, and awkward posture. All types of observational epidemiologic studies, with the exception of case reports, published during 1998-2015 were included. Databases searched were MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, Ergonomic Abstracts, NIOSHTIC-2, and Health and Safety Science Abstracts.
RESULTS
Occupational exposures to whole-body or hand-arm vibration were significantly associated with or resulted in MSDs of the shoulder and neck. Awkward postures while working were also associated with MSDs in these locations. These findings were consistent across study designs, populations, and countries.
CONCLUSION
Occupational exposure to vibration and awkward posture are associated with shoulder and neck MSDs. Longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these associations, and intervention studies are warranted.

Keyword

Awkward posture; Ergonomic exposures; Musculoskeletal disorders; Shoulder pain; Vibration

MeSH Terms

Epidemiologic Studies
Longitudinal Studies
Neck*
Occupational Exposure
Posture
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder*
Vibration*