제  목 : Lack of Autonomy Contributes to Musculoskeletal Disorders
  일  자 : 1997년 04월
  제공처 : Safety ＆ health

     Whether it is called a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, a repeti-
   tive strain injury, a cumulatitive trauma disorder or something else,
   the relationship of these type, of musculoskeletal problems to work
   can be difficul to establish because of inconsistent medical diagnosis
   and multiple causality.

      For these reasons, the World Health Organization suggests that such
   musculoskeletal problems stem from workers' feelings that they are not
   in control of their physical and/ or organizational environment. In
   other words, they have a lack of autonomy.

      Dutch researcher Jan Dul says that autonomy means a sense of con-
   trol over time pressures and work pace. It means having the freedom
   to set work breaks and to adapt your physical environment--having
   adjustable furniture, for example.

      European Union laws that deal with preventing musculoskeletal
   disorders are very general and mainly deal with physical autonomy risk
   factor and not psychosocial issues such as work pace.

      These laws have been interpreted quite differently across member
   states and reflect widely differing definitions and interpretations of
   causes that need to be standardized.

    The CEN certification body, which determines safety design of products
  sold in the European Union, has standards that cover biomechanical
  aspects of equipment desig.

    However, organizational issues involved in the use of such equipment,
  surh as work pace and time pressures, are not specified.

    In the Netherlands, musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly but
  wrongly seen as a psychological problem, says Dul. As these disorders
  are clearly multicausal, individual sensitivity is only one risk
  ture EU-level strategies will place more emphasis on organizationl
  risk factors to prevent musculoskeletal disorders because of their
  links with productivity.

    "Studies have been carried out which show that if workers involved
  in repetitive work are allowed to choose their own work breaks, pro-
  ductivity increases," says Dul.
  "Work breaks also can reduce the incidence of some musculoskeletal
  disorders."

     Dul's research shows a low level of awareness of musculoskeletal
   problems among Dutch emfloyees, partircularly in the manufacturing
   sector, although awareness is greater in the service sector.

      Musculoskeletal disorders are the main reason for early retirement
   in the EU's aging work force.