Health and Safety Executive

Table THORM13

Work-related upper limb disorders: estimated number of cases reported by rheumatologists to MOSS and by occupational physicians to OPRA, by reported work activities - movements 2006-2008

Movements(a) Rheumatologists and Occupational Physicians(p) Rheumatologists (MOSS)(p) Occupational physicians (OPRA)(b)(p)
Annual average estimated cases(c) 2006-2008 % of total Annual average estimated cases(c) 2006-2008 % of total Annual average estimated cases(c) 2006-2008 % of total
Fine hand 484 18 280 23 205 17
Forceful upper limb/Grip 594 22 296 24 298 24
Torque upper limb 11 - 11 1 1 -
Lifting 210 8 124 10 86 7
Carrying 43 2 26 2 17 1
Pushing 33 1 23 2 10 1
Pulling 44 2 35 3 10 1
Forceful leg movement - - - - - -
Overhead work 12 - 2 - 11 1
Materials handling n.e.s. 623 24 323 26 300 25
Bending 5 - 4 - - -
Sitting - - - - - -
Standing/walking 5 - 4 - - -
Kneeling 5 - 5 - - -
Twisting (postural) 5 - 4 - 1 -
Postural n.e.s. 154 6 18 1 136 11
Other 539 20 78 6 461 38
Missing 409 15 198 16 211 17
Total Individuals(d) 2641   1224   1416  

Notes

  • (a) At least one task code and one movement code was given to each case. Figures are shown in light type if they are based on fewer than 10 actual cases.
  • (b) Comparisons based on OPRA reports are likely to be misleading because workers in some occupations are much more likely to have access to occupational physicians than those in others.
  • (c) Some physicians report on a sample basis, for one month in each year. Estimated totals for these are calculated by multiplying the actual number of cases reported by 12.
  • (d) Since more than one task or movement code can be given the total of individual tasks or movements can exceed the total number of cases.
  • "-" Means zero
  • n.e.s Not elsewhere specified
  • (p) Provisional

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Updated 10.09.09