Note that states differ on their characterizations of these disorders some state laws classify them as injuries, others call them illnesses. OSHA defines cumulative trauma disorders as illnesses because, like exposure to hazardous chemicals, problems develop over time, not from a single incident. Although carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist, is one of the best-known of these disorders, other painful and potentially disabling hand, arm, and shoulder problems are also considered the result of repetitive motions. Many assembly-line workers are victims. Another group of affected workers is meat packers, whose problems were numerous enough to cause OSHA to issue guidelines for preventing these problems.
Few companies are immune to repetitive motion problems.
Because the potential for claims is enormously high, it's worth the time and effort to develop a major preventive program. This is best done as a joint management-worker project, perhaps with the aid of industrial hygienists or ergonomics specialists. Among the possible problems you may identify are motions that have to be constantly repeated, working with vibrating tools, or sitting or working in awkward positions. Redesign identified tasks. There are many relatively simple ways to make the job fit the person, rather than forcing the person to strain to fit the job.