An ergonomic study on teenage girls working in the manual brick manufacturing units in the unorganized sectors in West Bengal, India

There are laws which protect and prevent the teenage girls from working. But still in the developing countries like India, Bangladesh, etc. teenage girls coming from low socio-economic background work, to add to the family income. There is dearth of data regarding the ergonomic studies of the teenage girls working in the manual brick manufacturing units of the unorganized sectors in India. Therefore, a field study was conducted in about four brick manufacturing units of West Bengal, India. Their job in these fields was to carry 8-10 unbaked and sun-dried bricks (49.11 +/- 2.13 Kg) from the brick field to the kiln-top and again carry the baked bricks back from the kiln to some other corner of the brick field, under the hot sun. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating their work load and their consequent work-related health effects. Results show that 86 % of them suffered from work-related pain in different body parts and there was an increase in their physiological and psychological parameters after work. It is concluded that the frequent use of awkward postures while at work (OWAS) and performing heavy to moderate types of tasks in the field are deteriorating their health conditions.     

Musculoskeletal complaints among Italian X-ray technology students: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey

Background

There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare professional students. Although recent studies show musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem among X-ray technologists, there are no data on these disorders among students of this healthcare profession. We have therefore estimated the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among a group of X-ray technology students.

Methods

The students (n = 109) currently attending the 3-year X-ray technologist school at a large University in the Apulia region of Southern Italy were recruited for the study, with a 100% participation rate. A questionnaire collected data concerning personal characteristics, physical exposure during training activities, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, low back, hand/wrist and legs.

Results

The prevalence of complaints in any body site over the previous 12 months was 37%. Low back pain was the most frequently reported symptom (27%), followed by neck (16%), shoulder (11%), leg (8%) and hand/wrist (5%) pain. Poor physical activity was associated with the complaints.

Conclusions

Our study showed prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints among X-ray technology students to be somewhat high, representing about half of those found in Italian technologists. The most common musculoskeletal problem was low back pain, which had also been found in research conducted among nursing students. Our research also showed a significant association between poor physical activity and the presence of musculoskeletal disorders in young university students.

     

The change of working posture in Manggur decreases cardiovascular load and musculoskeletal complaints among Balinese gamelan craftsmen

Manggur, which means to plane down or sharpen, is a manual process in producing copper blades of Balinese gamelan orchestra. The craftsmen of Manggur work 6 to 8 hours a day, sitting on the floor with folded legs and hunched back. Because the craftsmen often complain about musculoskeletal problems after having completed a full day work, an ergonomic intervention was made by changing their usual working posture (the first working posture) into working on tables while sitting on chairs for one hour and alternately standing for half an hour (the second working posture). Treatment by subject design was applied to 22 randomly chosen craftsmen. Resting heart rate and working heart rate were measured by using a stopwatch, and the number of musculoskeletal complaints were recorded with Nordic Body Map Questionnaire. As a result, the second working posture caused significant reductions in working heart rate, work pulse (the difference between working heart rate and resting heart rate) and the number of musculoskeletal complaints. These results suggest that the change of working posture in manggur decreases cardiovascular load and musculoskeletal strain among Balinese gamelan craftsmen.     

Reducing the costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders: targeting strategies to chronic disability cases.

Musculoskeletal disorders impose a significant direct cost burden on health care systems in the US and Canada and account for even greater indirect losses of productivity. The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high, but a disproportionate share of costs is associated with a small number of cases with chronic pain. This is especially true for cases of occupational back pain, the single most common and costly musculoskeletal disorder in the workplace. A number of studies identify workplace characteristics associated with prolonged disability among cases of work-related back pain. These characteristics include: failure to receive job accommodations, receipt of disability benefit payments, and employment in high-risk industries or jobs that require heavy lifting. Research on the predictors of high-cost cases is limited, however, because of the lack of high-quality data and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. A new study, the Arizona State University Healthy Back Study, addresses some of these issues and promises new insights into effective strategies to reduce the proportion of high-cost claims.     

Musculoskeletal discomfort and feeling of fatigue among female professional workers: the need for ergonomics consideration.

Subjective feeling of general fatigue and physiological strain were studied in one hundred female professional employees of industrial worker and full-time nurses. Using an interview questionnaire the feeling of fatigue were studied. The subjects were asked to indicate on the body diagram all the areas of musculoskeletal pain from which they perceived discomfort. Furthermore physical strength test consisting of grip test, back and leg strength test were carried out before and after work on all subjects. The results indicated that the two groups of employees showed different symptoms of "pain" and/or "fatigue," with regard to the different parts of body. It was also noted that the physical strength after work was lower for both groups as compared to before work and even lower for the industrial workers than the nurses. The feeling of fatigue between the two investigated groups was not significantly different, but for the musculoskeletal pain was highly significantly different. The worker group used also more pain-killing drugs for releasing the muscle pain. It was evident that ergonomics intervention for female professional workers was of great importance and urgency, particularly for making the workplace more human. Improvement of the working conditions, better organization of work, and ergonomics interventions are suggested as necessary measures for reduction of pain and feeling of discomfort.     

Relationships between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders in former athletes

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in relation to previous athletic status and current physical activity level in former athletes. Main anthropometric data, sports history, current physical activity and MSD were estimated using a questionnaire in 219 (148 males, 71 females) former athletes (35-75 years old) and 79 controls (33 males, 46 females). According to the previous participation in top-level sports, former athletes were divided into three groups: (a) endurance, n=120 (76 males, 44 females); (b) speed-power, n=57 (43 males, 14 females); (c) team sports, n=42 (29 males, 13 females). The most prevalent MSD among the male and female ex-athletes were back and knee pain. The endurance ex-athletes group (both males and females) had significantly higher risk for the knee problems than the control group (Odds ratio--OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.7-20.00, p < 0.05). Team sports athletes (males and females) showed significantly higher risk for Achilles' tendon injuries (OR 3.19 95% CI 1.19-8.5, p < 0.05) as compared to controls. Back pain did not show any significant associations with previous physical activity and current physical activity level. Current physical activity was significantly associated with a lower risk for the knee and hip pain. Body mass index was positively associated with knee problems. In conclusion, our study results revealed that previous participation in enduranve sports events is associated with a significantly higher risk for knee problems. At the same time current regular physical exercise 6-11 times per month is associated with a lower prevalence of knee and hip problems as compared to those who exercised less than 6 times per month.     

Sex Differences in Task Distribution and Task Exposures among Danish House Painters: An Observational Study Combining Questionnaire Data with Biomechanical Measurements

Objectives

Sex differences in occupational biomechanical exposures may be part of the explanation why musculoskeletal complaints and disorders tend to be more common among women than among men. We aimed to determine possible sex differences in task distribution and task-specific postures and movements of the upper extremities among Danish house painters, and to establish sex-specific task exposure matrices.

Methods

To obtain task distributions, we sent out a questionnaire to all members of the Painters'' Union in Denmark (N = 9364), of whom 53% responded. Respondents reported their task distributions in a typical week. To obtain task exposures, postures and movements were measured in 25 male and 25 female house painters for one whole working day per person. We used goniometers on the wrists, and inclinometers on the forehead and the upper arms. Participants filled in a logbook allowing task-specific exposures to be identified. Percentiles and % time with non-neutral postures were used to characterise postures. Velocity, range of motion, repetitiveness, and variation were used as measures of movement. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics and unpaired double-sided t-tests with post-hoc Bonferroni correction were used to evaluate sex differences.

Results

Statistically significant (p<0.05) sex differences were revealed in task proportions, but the proportions differed by less than 4%. For task exposures, no statistically significant sex differences were found.

Conclusions

Only minor sex differences were found in task distribution and task exposures regarding postures and movements among Danish house painters. Sex-specific task exposure matrices were established.     

Comparisons of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Ten Different Medical Professions in Taiwan: A Nationwide,Population-Based Study

Objective

Medical personnel are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders but little is known whether the risk of musculoskeletal disorders were different among various medical professions. Therefore, this study compared the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among personnel of 10 different medical professions in Taiwan using a nationwide health claims database.

Methods

Data from the 2000–2010 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were used to identify personnel of 10 different medical professions. Diagnoses based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) were used to identify eight different musculoskeletal disorders that occurred after the license issuance date. Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the risk of eight musculoskeletal disorders among the 10 different medical professions using dentists as the reference category.

Results

A total of 7,820 medical personnel were included in the analysis. Using dentists as the reference category, physical therapists showed a significantly higher risk of all eight musculoskeletal disorders (ranging from 1.59 [p = 0.032] in sprains and strains of other and unspecified parts of back to 2.93 [p < 0.001] in spondylosis and allied disorders).

Conclusions

Compared with dentists, a profession that already known to suffer from high rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, physical therapists, registered nurses, and doctors of Chinese medicine showed an even higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders.     

The representation of self reported affect in body posture and body posture simulation

It is taken for granted that the non-verbal information we acquire from a person's body posture and position affects our perception of others. However, to date human postures have never been described on an empirical level. This study is the first approach to tackle the unexplored topic of human postures. We combined two approaches: traditional behavior observation and modern anthropometric analysis. Photographs of 100 participants were taken, their body postures were transferred to a three dimensional virtual environment and the occurring body angles were measured. The participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire about their current affective state. A principal component analysis with the items of the affect questionnaire (Positive Negative Affect Scales, PANAS) revealed five main factors: aversion, openness, irritation, happiness, and self-confidence. The body angles were then regressed on these factors and the respective postures were reconstructed within a virtual environment. 50 different subjects rated the reconstructed postures from the positive and negative end of the regression. We found the ratings to be valid and accurate in respect to the five factors.     

Individual factors and musculoskeletal disorders: a framework for their consideration.

Individual factors have been variously defined as non-work, demographic, physiological or psychological factors. They may represent a variety of important constructs at different relevant levels that may not be initially evident in their measurement. These include: work-related factors e.g., job assignment, duration of exposure, work style, anthropometric mismatches, and differential responses to job demands; concomitant external or internal exposures e.g., sports, smoking, and endogenous hormones; and physical, psychological and social vulnerabilities e.g., prior injury, depression, socio-economic status. Such factors operate in different ways in the development, course and response to interventions of musculoskeletal disorders. Newer framings of their contribution to musculoskeletal disorders are providing new insights into the role of such factors as some among many which contribute to the burden of MSK disorders in working age populations. As researchers, practitioners and policy makers, we need to consider them in order to reduce burden, to protect the vulnerable and to match interventions to different groups of people most appropriately.     

6th SETAC-Europe Meeting: LCA — Selected Papers

A study of industry’s use of LCA has been performed as a special analysis of the Business Environmental Barometer (B.E.B.). The B.E.B. is an international questionnaire survey on industry’s environmental management practices (LCA included), repeated every two years. The first round in 1993 included the Nordic countries. The 1997 round will include eight European countries. This analysis intends to describe industry’s LCA use as such (e.g. active industrial sectors, applications, changes over time) and differences between companies working with LCA and those not working with LCA. The survey indicates that industry is in the process of internalising LCA knowledge, although most companies are still in the learning phase. LCA companies have more developed environmental management systems than non-LCA companies. A company’s LCA use seems to be a competitor-driven activity, judging from LCA distribution among industrial sectors.     

Injury and adaptive mechanisms in skeletal muscle

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a major concern in the United States. Overexertion and repetitive motion injuries dominate reporting of lost-time MSD incidents. Over the past three decades, there has been much study on contraction-induced skeletal muscle injury. The effect of the biomechanical loading signature that includes velocity, range of motion, the number of repetitions, force, work-rest cycle, and exposure duration has been studied. More recently, the effect of aging on muscle injury susceptibility and regeneration has been studied. This review will focus on contraction-induced skeletal muscle injury, the effects of repetitions, range of motion, work-rest cycles, and aging on injury susceptibility and regenerative and adaptive pathways. The different physiological phenomena responsive to overt muscle injury versus adaptation will be distinguished. The inherent capability of skeletal muscle to adapt to mechanical loading, given the appropriate exposure signature will also be discussed. Finally, we will submit that repeated high-intensity mechanical loading is a desirable means to attenuate the effects of sarcopenia, and may be the most effective and appealing mode of physical activity to counteract the effects often observed with musculo-skeletal dysfunction in the workplace.     

Comparison of occupational exposure methods relevant to musculoskeletal disorders: Worker-workstation interaction in an office environment

Work related musculoskeletal disorders have been associated with office work yet exposure quantification is challenging and not measured consistently. Our objective was to examine associations within and across exposure measurements guided by a conceptual model of three measurement locations: external to the body, at the interface, and internal to the body. Forty-one office workers (71% female), mean age 41 years (SD=9.6), mean height 168cm (SD=10.3), and mean weight 74kg (SD=19), were recruited from a large urban newspaper. Four methods of quantifying mechanical exposure were used linked to locations: equipment dimensions (external), relative fit and postures (interface), and EMG (internal). We explored: (1) a within-location analysis of relationships among methods; and (2) a cross-location analysis of relationships among methods. Exposure method comparisons showed mostly weak correlations among equipment variables, moderate correlations among posture variables, and strong or moderate correlations among EMG variables. For the majority of pair-wise comparisons between exposure measures across locations, the correlations were weak or moderate. Comparisons of relative fit revealed some differences in dimensions, postures, and EMG measures. Few strong associations between various exposure measures were found, although worker-reported relative fit holds promise. Future work might link exposure methods (specific measures) with locations for particular purposes.     

Mathematically Derived Body Volume and Risk of Musculoskeletal Pain among Housewives in North India

Background

Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 demonstrates the impact of musculoskeletal diseases as the second greatest cause of disability globally in all regions of the world. The study was conducted to determine the role of mathematically derived body volume (BV), body volume index (BVI), body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and body fat % (BF %) on musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among housewives in National Capital Region (NCR).

Methods

A cross sectional study was undertaken among 495 housewives from Gurgaon and New Okhla Industrial Development Area (NOIDA) in National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi, India. The study includes questionnaire survey, clinical examination and body composition monitoring among housewives.

Results

A significantly higher BMI, BVI, BV and BSA were observed in subjects with MSP as compared to those who had no MSP. This was also true for subjects with pain in knee for BMI category for overweight. Subjects with pain in limbs had significantly high BMI and BVI as compared to subjects with no MSP. A significant positive correlation of age with BMI, BVI, BV and BSA was observed among subjects having no MSP denoting a direct relationship of age and these body factors.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MSP among housewives is associated with increasing age, BMI and BVI. This can possibly be used for formulating a strategy for prevention of MSP.     

THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATISM—A Clinical Study of 500 Cases

Five hundred consecutive admissions to the rheumatism service of a large hospital were reviewed in an effort to establish criteria for accurate differential diagnosis in rheumatic disorders. Forty-one per cent of the patients presented evidence of articular involvement or arthritis; 28 per cent had non-articular rheumatism, embracing the various types of fibrositis; 7 per cent had musculoskeletal neuroses, and 24 per cent had a variety of diseases unrelated to the musculoskeletal system. A working classification of the various causes of musculoskeletal pain is presented and criteria for the differentiation of the individual diseases are suggested.     

The differential diagnosis of rheumatism; a clinical study of 500 cases

Five hundred consecutive admissions to the rheumatism service of a large hospital were reviewed in an effort to establish criteria for accurate differential diagnosis in rheumatic disorders. Forty-one per cent of the patients presented evidence of articular involvement or arthritis; 28 per cent had non-articular rheumatism, embracing the various types of fibrositis; 7 per cent had musculoskeletal neuroses, and 24 per cent had a variety of diseases unrelated to the musculoskeletal system. A working classification of the various causes of musculoskeletal pain is presented and criteria for the differentiation of the individual diseases are suggested.     

The elixir of muscle activity and kinesiology in a health perspective: Evidence of worksite tailored exercise training alleviating muscle disorders

Physical activity is known to benefit health while muscle activation and movements performed during occupational work in contrast may result in work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, we posed the research question: which mode of muscle activation may result in a reversal of work-related disorders? To address this, we performed electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic assessments of workers with diverse exposure categories: sedentary monotonous work, prolonged walking/standing, and physically heavy work. The various job-specific exposure variables could be categorized in terms of duration, intensity, repetition, static component, peak force etc. that were subsequently identified as risk factors. Based on sports science principles we developed tailored exercise programs to counteract job exposure. EMG activity during exercise training was monitored to identify principal differences between exercise training and job patterns. Evidence from more than 20 RCT studies including >4000 workers showed positive effects such as decreased muscle pain and increased workability. Finally, we identified plausible underlying mechanisms in muscle tissue – human and animal - that confirmed metabolic, morphological, and hormonal changes with e.g. repetitive work that were reversal to adaptations reported with exercise training. Progress has been made in developing intelligent physical exercise training, IPET, as the best complementary activity to job exposure and includes muscle activations and movements that limit work-related inactivity atrophy as well as overload injury.     

The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study: methods of data collection and characteristics of study sample

Background

The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study was established to explore the hypothesis that common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated disability are importantly influenced by culturally determined health beliefs and expectations. This paper describes the methods of data collection and various characteristics of the study sample.

Methods/Principal Findings

A standardised questionnaire covering musculoskeletal symptoms, disability and potential risk factors, was used to collect information from 47 samples of nurses, office workers, and other (mostly manual) workers in 18 countries from six continents. In addition, local investigators provided data on economic aspects of employment for each occupational group. Participation exceeded 80% in 33 of the 47 occupational groups, and after pre-specified exclusions, analysis was based on 12,426 subjects (92 to 1018 per occupational group). As expected, there was high usage of computer keyboards by office workers, while nurses had the highest prevalence of heavy manual lifting in all but one country. There was substantial heterogeneity between occupational groups in economic and psychosocial aspects of work; three- to five-fold variation in awareness of someone outside work with musculoskeletal pain; and more than ten-fold variation in the prevalence of adverse health beliefs about back and arm pain, and in awareness of terms such as “repetitive strain injury” (RSI).

Conclusions/Significance

The large differences in psychosocial risk factors (including knowledge and beliefs about MSDs) between occupational groups should allow the study hypothesis to be addressed effectively.     

A biomechanical model on muscle forces in the transfer of spinal load to the pelvis and legs.

Based on musculoskeletal anatomy of the lower back, abdominal wall, pelvis and upper legs, a biomechanical model has been developed on forces in the load transfer through the pelvis. The aim of this model is to obtain a tool for analyzing the relations between forces in muscles, ligaments and joints in the transfer of gravitational and external load from the upper body via the sacroiliac joints to the legs in normal situations and pathology. The study of the relation between muscle coordination patterns and forces in pelvic structures, in particular the sacroiliac joints, is relevant for a better understanding of the aetiology of low back pain and pelvic pain. The model comprises 94 muscle parts, 6 ligaments and 6 joints. It enables the calculation of forces in pelvic structures in various postures. The calculations are based on a linear/non-linear optimization scheme. To gain a better understanding of the function of individual muscles and ligaments, deviant properties of these structures can be preset. The model is validated by comparing calculations with EMG data from the literature. For agonistic muscles, good agreement is found between model calculations and EMG data. Antagonistic muscle activity is underestimated by the model. Imposed activity of modelled antagonistic muscles has a minor effect on the mutual proportions of agonistic muscle activities. Simulation of asymmetric muscle weakness shows higher activity of especially abdominal muscles.     

Health and safety among film technicians working extended shifts

This paper presents selected results from a pilot research. The study of film technicians' work schedules and occupational hazards was based on a questionnaire administered to all 2200 film technicians (650 valid replies; response rate = 30%), interviews with producers and technicians on film-shooting organization and scheduling, courses in film technique, individual interviews with workers in trade at high risk, and review of the literature on freelancers, on the effects of intermittent work, and on risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries. Work schedules showed a tendency to extremely long work shifts (14 hours per day on average, and up to 19 hours in some trades). Occupational constraints and work schedules were found to relate to an increased risk of work-related injuries. Technicians identified fatigue associated with work schedules as the principal risk of accidents and one of the factors responsible for causing or aggravating their many musculoskeletal injuries. Work schedules were not the only cause of these injuries: stress--due to time constraints, work responsibilities and job insecurity--was also an important risk factor, consistent with the literature on musculoskeletal disorders. Physical workload was also problematic, particularly when demanding tasks had to be performed under severe time constraints.