Effective intervention with ergonomics, antivibration gloves, and medical surveillance to minimize hand-arm vibration hazards in the workplace

J Occup Environ Med. 2003 Dec;45(12):1312-7. doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000099981.80004.c9.

Abstract

Medical surveillance was used in the workplace to determine and monitor the level of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) present in workers exposed to upper extremity vibration. Ergonomic intervention in the form of new tools with lower vibration levels and the use of International Standards Organizaiton (ISO) 10819 antivibration gloves were associated with a decrease in the pathologic findings and symptoms in these workers. Workers without such intervention were more likely to show progression of symptoms and findings. These findings suggest that ergonomic intervention can be effective in controlling the workplace hazard of tool vibration.

MeSH terms

  • Arm Injuries / epidemiology
  • Arm Injuries / etiology
  • Arm Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / etiology
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Ergonomics*
  • Gloves, Protective*
  • Hand Injuries / epidemiology
  • Hand Injuries / etiology
  • Hand Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vibration / adverse effects*