Repetitive Motion Syndrome

["Robert J. Milevski" <milevski@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Folks,

I am interested in knowing whether any book treatment staff you supervise
have developed repetitive motion syndrome or other similar maladies as a
result of their repair work.  Eg lifting books from shelves in holding
areas incorrectly causing shoulder pain or shoulder and neck pain from
standing over the bench while doing the work or wrist problems due to the
angle at which tools are held for long periods of time.  (Part of the cause
of some of these problems is the height of the person in relation to a
stationary height of the workbench, epsecially when standing.  Most of our
staff do not use the stools we provide but prefer to stand for much of
their work.)  We have had two cases of it in our lab over the past two
years and I wonder whether the staff of other conservation programs have
had similar experiences.  Certainly it is not something I would have
associated with book repair until recently.  For our folks who have
developed the symptoms we have made all necessary accommodations so that
they can continue working with reduced pain and increased comfort.  

I welcome your observations.  Thank you.

Robert Milevski
***********************************************
Robert J. Milevski
Preservation Librarian
Princeton University Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544
(609) 258-5591
Fax:  (609) 258-4105
Email:  milevski@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
***********************************************