Re: Carpal tunnel and serials work (3 messages) Birdie MacLennan 14 Feb 1996 16:46 UTC
3 messages, 108 lines: (1)----------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 22:13:41 -0500 From: Craig Fairley <fairley@TAP.NET> Subject: Re: Carpal tunnel and serials work Anne Grady <AGrady@MAILBOX.UNE.EDU> wrote: >I'm wondering if any other serials librarians and/or support >staff are experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms, pain in >wrists, fingers, hands, joints, arms, shoulders etc from >shelving, processing mail and/or automated check-in? ... I recently returned from a conference session that discussed repetitive strain injuries in libraries. There are a couple of things which came out that may be of help to you: 1. Variety in work helps. The key is that the injury results in a repetative action which eventually exceeds your body's tolerance. Take short breaks regularly to do another task. 2. Avoid the "pinch grip", that is, carrying books/bound volumes with one hand using just your thumb and fingers. Use two hands to distribute the weight. Also use flat hands to cradle the materials. 3. Short stretch breaks prevent you from tensing up your body, which can happen with repetative motions. 4. Use large muscle groups to do the work. This is why people are told to lift using the muscles in their legs rather than their backs. Leg muscles are much bigger. The easiest thing to forget is that you need to lift with your legs even for small things, like that pen you just dropped. Hope that is of use to you. If you need real help there are consultants and trainers around who can help your organization. Considering the high cost of lost work time and disability claims, it could be money well spent. _________________________________________________________________ Craig Fairley Information Dynamics 2165 Margot Street Oakville, Ontario Canada L6H 3M5 (905) 842-1406 "Services in Information and Process Management" (2)-------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 17:12:36 -0700 From: Elizabeth Boyson <alieb@GEMINI.OSCS.MONTANA.EDU> Subject: Re: Carpal tunnel and serials work I have some experience with this. Let me tell you what helped me. Limit shelving to once per week if possible, a really efficient way to shelve. I know you can't possibly do that, but look for ways to streamline the process. Do you do the pre-shelving sort as well as the shelving? I found that really put a strain on my nerves. Use anti-inflammatories as a doctor directs to control deterioration. A simple aspirin might help a LOT! Also, do you have any scar tissue on your wrists or elbows from other activities or injuries? That might be a problem, too. There are a lot of stretching exercises recommended to avoid the strain. Take a look or search in some of the health journals your library subscribes to. I hope you find some answers. Elizabeth Boyson Phone:406-994-5305 Montana State University - Bozeman FAX:406-994-2851 Serials/Acquisitions Internet: alieb@montana.edu Renne Library Bozeman, MT 59717 (3)----------------------- Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 08:37:40 -0800 From: Judy Winkler <jwinkler@NEON.NLC.STATE.NE.US> Subject: Re: Carpal tunnel and serials work I would urge you to visit and orthepedic specialist ASAP. Carpal tunnel is a major health hazard for library workers! I kept putting off a visit to the doctor until my hand was so numb I could not hold a coffee cup or pencil if I was not looking at it - carpal tunnel is degenerative, meaning it gets worse and you begin to suffer irreparable nerve damage. I have had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand but because I waited too long to seek medical help, I've lost about 60% of the nerves in my hand. This means I have to be very, very careful in the kitchen, because if I cut myself, I don't feel any pain until the wound is deep enough to be serious! The carpal tunnel in my left hand was not as severe and responded to a treatment of anti-inflammitory medication and wrist supports. I now take freqent breaks (stopping one repetitive activity and changing to another) do mild hand and wrist exercises, use proper ergonomic equipment, etc. Your doctor can give you other tips to help. Also, you may not have carpal tunnel. If you are experiencing arm and shoulder pain, you may have neck or back problems. The most important thing is to seek proper medical attention, and let you employers know that they have a reponsibility to provide a healthy work environment - this includes ergonomic equipment - or they may be liable for worker's compensation claims. Judy Winkler Technical Services Librarian Nebraska Library Commission jwinkler@neon.nlc.state.ne.us