The authors evaluated the records of 82 patients where in 1995 and 1996 occupational carpal tunnel syndrome was notified. In 63 patients (76.8%) disease caused by vibration was involved, in 19 cases the condition was caused by long-term excessive unilateral overburdening. Most frequently the condition was found in workers of the metallurgical and engineering industry (46.3%). The exposure period in disease caused by vibration was in men on average 20.9 years, in one woman with the disease caused by vibration it was 24 years. When the disease was due to overburdening, the mean exposure period in men was 21.2 years and in women 13.3 years. After a change to different work and conservative treatment the finding returned to normal in 9.6%, improved in 43.5%, remained unchanged in 40.3%. After change to other work and surgical treatment (which was the procedure used in 19 patients) the finding improved in 94.7%.

        Key words: carpal tunnel syndrome, vibrations, long-term excessive unilateral overburdening, metallurgical industry, engineering