Laboratory Medicine · 1996 · 33 citations · 0 references
EngineeringInjury PreventionCytopathologyErgonomicsMusculoskeletal MedicineErgonomic AssessmentErgonomic Risk AssessmentErgonomic Risk PreventionMusculoskeletal Disorder PreventionMusculoskeletal HealthWork-related Musculoskeletal DisordersCumulative Trauma BurdenCumulative Trauma DisordersCumulative Trauma PreventionMusculoskeletal DisordersMusculoskeletal Risk AssessmentWork-related Musculoskeletal Disorder PreventionWorkplace Ergonomic AssessmentWorkplace Musculoskeletal Disorders
We measured the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among cytotechnologists in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. We surveyed cytotechnologists to assess the prevalence of neck, shoulder, upper-back, elbow/forearm, hand/wrist, and lower-back symptoms in the prior year. Eighty-two (69%) of 125 cytotechnologists returned questionnaires, of which 95% were working as cytotechnologists. The prevalences of neck (61.5%), hand/wrist (56.4%), and lower-back (42.3%) symptoms were highest. Laboratory workers routinely involved in microscope-related work may be at risk for cumulative trauma disorders. We concluded that an ergonomic approach to this problem can help prevent musculoskeletal symptoms.