title: Job level risk assessment using task level ACGIH hand activity level TLV scores: a pilot study.
abstract: Existing upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder analytical tools are primarily intended for single or mono-task jobs. However, many jobs contain more than 1 task and some include job rotation. This case/control study investigates methods of modifying an existing tool, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Hand Activity Level (HAL) Threshold Limit Value (TLV), to assess the upper extremity risk of multi-task jobs. Various methods of combining the task differences and ratios into a job level assessment were explored. Two methods returned significant odds ratios, (p < .05) of 18.0 (95% CI 1.8-172) and 12.0 (95% CI 1.2-120). These results indicate that a modified ACGIH HAL TLV may provide insight into the work-related risk of multi-task jobs. Further research is needed to optimize this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ergonomics and Safety Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9208, USA. p.drinkaus@utah.edu
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Drinkaus
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sesek
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bloswick
authors.forename: Clay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bernard
mesh_terms: D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries