Overhead Work – Reduce the Injury Risk Position Paper

Authors

Kayla M. Fewster & Clark R. Dickerson

Key messages

• Overhead work is a known MSD risk strongly related to the development of shoulder injuries
• Whenever possible, overhead work should be completely eliminated
• When overhead work tasks must remain, careful job design can help lower MSD injury risk

Implications for the prevention of MSD

When overhead work must be completed:

• apply force in-line with gravity, either up or down
• decrease hand force/tool mass, duty cycle and/or overall cycle time
• keep the upper arm below 60 degrees of elevation
• rest often