Is Laterality Related to Occupational Injuries?

－Fundamental But Forgotten State-of-the-Art Issues for Occupational Human Factors and Ergonomics－

Abstract

We live in a new era of diversity, but laterality research, which is human lateral preferences like handedness or footedness, has not been systematically organized. This article summarizes research issues to be addressed to clarify the effect of workers’ laterality on occupational injuries. First, we reviewed the historical research trends of laterality from biological and socio-cultural perspectives. Then, as fundamental but forgotten state-of-the-art issues for occupational human factors and ergonomics, the following were identified: 1） Application to statistical analysis of occupational accidents/injuries, 2） Elucidation of the effects of the interaction between laterality and tools/equipment on safety, 3） Elucidation of the interaction between workstation design and laterality, 4） Risk estimation of occupational accidents related to laterality, and 5） Establishment of ergonomic risk reduction measures for occupational injuries related to laterality.