Neck-shoulder loading characteristics and work technique

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Abstract
In recent years, several occupational health departments in the Ericsson Telephone Group have noticed an increase in the number of patients with neck-shoulder disorders. To investigate any possible relationship between these problems and the working environment, the Group cooperated with the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health to develop a method for registering arm and head movements while working..The method is a type of frequency study using video technology to record the work movements and applying microcomputerized analysis and evaluation to the movement pattern. The method aims at obtaining, in a simple way, an objective picture of neck-shoulder loadings when working in a motionless sitting position with relatively rapid arm movements. Using this technique, we at Ericsson have compared the work movements of a group of people with neck-shoulder disorders, with a problem-free control group. Results show that individuals with this problem have a significantly higher loading resulting from moving their arms forward and outwards in their work more than those in the problem-free control group. To provide more information about the ergonomic design of work stations an understanding of workers'responsibility for their situations, both so important from the work-load point of view, the Occupational Health Department has used two approaches in recent years. Biofeedback and video film are used to aid employees in increasing awareness of their own bodies and gaining a greater insight into the way they carry out their work.

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