The prevalence of work-related upper limb disorders in a printing factory

The association between problems of the upper limb and the workplace is complex. A large printing manufacturer in the North West of England sought the advice of both a surgeon, specializing in problems of the upper limb and an ergonomist in an attempt to control the frequency of these abnormalities amongst its workforce. The prevalence of these problems prior to and after the introduction of a number of recommendations was collated and the results are discussed. Effectively the introduction of sensible and sympathetic modifications to the workplace appeared to reduce the number of upper limb disorders.