Work Sampling as a Method for Assessing CTDS

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Abstract
Work sampling is proposed as a method for evaluating aggregate risks for cumulative trauma disorders in jobs. The approach assumes that an assessment of cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) risk factors within individual tasks has been made, and can be used in conjunction with the resulting estimates of proportion of time spent per task or activity to arrive at an overall estimation of CTD risk for the job. Important advantages of work sampling include that it estimates the availability of rest and recovery time within jobs, that the method can be applied to both cyclical and noncyclical jobs, and that small, practical samples may provide reasonable estimates in many cases. A case study utilizing work sampling in a workers compensation carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) claims investigation using a single day sample interval is presented. Results suggest little or no CTD risk, a finding that was supported by historical evidence from a large population of workers (27,200) performing the same job. Only .0000025% of workers had reported a CTD over a period of 3 years. While support for causation of CTD was not found, the method identified a probability of aggravation of a possible pre-existing condition, which is also compensable. Details regarding the studied job are provided. The use of a work sampling method to assess CTD risks is discussed.

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