Ergonomic studies provide information about occupational exposure differences between women and men

Abstract

This article reviews published information and ergonomic analyses of work activity in several jobs usually done by women in order to help researchers and clinicians determine the extent to which women's health problems can be attributed to the workplace and where to intervene. Women in the workplace are often exposed to different musculoskeletal and psychological constraints, even when they share job titles with men. Job and task assignments may differ by sex, and gender-associated biological and social characteristics may interact with workplace constraints to modify the exposures or the effects of working conditions. Jobs preferentially assigned to women may have specific exposures that escape the attention of researchers.