June/July 2007 (vol. 04/1)

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Research Plus

MSD injury risk

Prior warning of a sudden manual-handling load can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Research in New Zealand used 30 male volunteers and exposed them to handling loads – a pre-weighted box in an experimental set-up was suddenly pulled downwards, with or without warning. Muscle activity and postural changes were monitored. Postural response to loading in an upright position were influenced both by a single prior exposure to the weight and by a visual warning. ‘This emphasises the importance of knowledge about load parameters and utilisation of visual warning cues during manual handling activities,’ the authors say.

Clinical Biomechanics 2007; 22(3): 275–281.

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Occupational Health at Work June/July 2007 (vol. 04/1) pp38