Whether Incorrect Manual Handling Procedures Cause Work Related Upper Limb Disorders in Radiographers - Case Study Example

Hopefully, alleviation of the condition among radiographers will lead to increased productivity. It is hoped that this research would add a little to the body of knowledge that already exists concerning WRULD in radiographers.The United States Bureau of Labour Statistics defines work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) as “injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs associated with exposure to risk factors in the workplace.” (Bureau of Labour Statistics News, 2001).

Disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents and other accidents are excluded. In the year 2001, about sixty-five per cent of all work-related illnesses were attributable to WRMD and these disorders were responsible for about a third of all lost workday illnesses (Bureau of Labour Statistics News, 2001). These statistics underline the importance of WRULD in the workplace. According to Palmer and Cooper (2005) “WRULD, comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions – 165 in all according to a report by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The majority of these are ill-defined with natural histories that are rather loosely characterised. In some instances there is a dispute as to whether a recognised clinical entity exists at all; in others, it is the epithet work-related that generates strong opinions, reflected in several contradictory legal rulings.”Palmer and Cooper (2005) also report that the Health and Safety Executive estimated that in 2004-/5 Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders that included 450,000 people with back pain and 375,000 with neck and upper limb disorders cost British society about 5.7 billion pounds sterling. The scope of the problem then is quite obvious. More data is needed to determine the impact of WRULD in the workplace. Among radiographers, the rate of reporting such workplace injuries may be an underestimate since healthcare workers, in general, tend to underemphasize health problems.