NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

The study was supported by Contract No. HHS-100-99-0001 between the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations or agencies that provided support for this project.

Suggested citation: National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine (2001) Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities. Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace. Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace : low back and upper extremities / Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.

p.; cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Backache. 2. Industrial accidents. 3. Arm--Wounds and injuries. 4. Back--Wounds and injuries. I. National Research Council (U.S.). Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace. II. Institute of Medicine (U.S.)

[DNLM: 1. Musculoskeletal Diseases--epidemiology. 2. Arm Injuries--epidemiology. 3. Back Injuries--epidemiology. 4. Low Back Pain--epidemiology. 5. Occupational Diseases--epidemiology. WE 140 M98515 2001]

RD771.B217 M875 2001

617.4′7044--dc21

2001000906

Printed in the United States of America

Copyright 2001 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Cover photographs: Background figure: © Charles Gupton/Stock, Boston/PictureQuest. Inset: © PhotoDisc.