From the Research
Pre-employment assessments play a limited role in preventing Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs) and should not be relied upon as a primary prevention strategy. These assessments typically evaluate an individual's physical capabilities, medical history, and existing musculoskeletal conditions before job placement, but their effectiveness in predicting future WRULDs is questionable 1. Instead, organizations should focus on workplace ergonomic interventions, job design modifications, and comprehensive training programs. Pre-employment assessments may help identify individuals with pre-existing conditions who might benefit from specific accommodations, but using them to screen out workers raises ethical and legal concerns regarding discrimination.
Some key factors to consider in preventing WRULDs include:
- Repetitive movements
- Awkward postures
- Force requirements
- Insufficient recovery time
- Individual factors
A more effective approach combines targeted pre-employment education about ergonomic risks with ongoing workplace interventions such as proper workstation setup, regular breaks, task rotation, and ergonomic equipment 2. This comprehensive strategy addresses the multifactorial nature of WRULDs. Prevention efforts should prioritize modifying work environments and practices rather than attempting to predict which workers might develop these disorders.
It is also important to note that WRULDs can be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic compartment syndrome, which is a recognized entity in athletes and can also occur in individuals doing rapid or strenuous repetitive work 3. Awareness of this diagnosis allows early identification and treatment of a currently unrecognized disorder with potential resolution of a long-lasting arm disability.
Overall, while pre-employment assessments may have some limited benefits, they should not be relied upon as the primary means of preventing WRULDs. Instead, a comprehensive approach that includes workplace ergonomic interventions, job design modifications, and comprehensive training programs is likely to be more effective in reducing the risk of WRULDs 4.