ABSTRACT
The major goal of occupational biomechanics is the elimination of cumulative trauma disorder generated by posture, excessive strain, or repetitive motion by matching the body as a machine to a task. Cumulative trauma has become more commonplace as the nature of work has changed. Cumulative traumas are harder to predict and avoid, and the industrial hygienist is more likely to recognize the problem after and because injury has occurred. To design a task so that there is the least chance of cumulative trauma, basic information is needed about human beings. Cumulative trauma may also occur as a result of bad practices by the worker rather than bad design of the task. Cumulative trauma is complex and is evolving in new directions as more is learned about the relationship of the structure of the human body and the performance of tasks.
