Identification of high-risk groups among maintenance workers in a steel company with respect to musculoskeletal symptoms and workload

To determine priorities for ergonomic improvements in five maintenance departments of a steel company, a study was carried out to identify groups with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems or a high exposure to unfavourable musculoskeletal workload. All workers were asked to complete a stand...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ergonomics 1996-02, Vol.39 (2), p.232-242
Main Authors: HILDEBRANDT, VINCENT H., BONGERS, PAULIEN M., DUL, JAN, VAN DIJK, FRANK J. H., KEMPER, HAN C. G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Applied physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Ergonomics
Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology
Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology
Humans
Industry
Low Back Pain - etiology
Maintenance workers
Male
Medical sciences
Muscular system
Musculoskeletal Diseases - etiology
Musculoskeletal symptoms
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Physical workload
Questionnaire
Repair & maintenance
Risk Factors
Steel
Steel industry
Vibration
Weight-Bearing
Workers
Workload
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Summary:To determine priorities for ergonomic improvements in five maintenance departments of a steel company, a study was carried out to identify groups with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems or a high exposure to unfavourable musculoskeletal workload. All workers were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal workload. Response rate in the five departments varied between 60 and 80% (n = 436). Symptoms of low back and neck-shoulder (12-month prevalence rates of 53% and 36%, respectively) were most common, but not higher in comparison with a reference group of 396 non-sedentary workers. Self-reported exposure rates to physical and psychosocial loads as well as poor climatic conditions were comparable with the reference group; only exposure to vibration was higher. Significant differences were seen between the five departments as well as between task groups with the departments. Several task groups with relatively high symptom rates and high exposure levels could be identified. It is concluded that a questionnaire survey can constitute a valuable contribution to the selection of high-risk task groups that need ergonomic intervention.
ISSN:0014-0139
1366-5847
DOI:10.1080/00140139608964454