OCCUPATIONAL RHEUMATIC DISEASES AND UPPER LIMB STRAIN IN MANUAL JOBS IN A LIGHT MECHANICAL INDUSTRY

Abstract

The prevalence of occupational rheumatic diseases and the relation of the diseases to some specific work load factors were investigated. Workers 93 from a light mechanical industry were given a clinical, epidemiologic examination. General work methods were analyzed, and cycle time, mode of control and the number of pieces handled time unit were registered. The prevalence of neck tension was 61.3% and that of muscle-tendon syndrome, 18.3%. The prevalences of other ailments were insignificant. The number of muscle-tendon symptoms correlated with the number of pieces handled. No other work load factors displayed a statistically significant relationship to the diseases. Neck tension had no relation to the weight/height index.