Musculo-skeletal Symptoms of Municipal Sanitation Workers and Ergonomic Evaluation on Upperlimb.
- Author:
Jun Pyo MYONG
1
;
Hyang Ki LEE
;
Hyoung Ryoul KIM
;
Hye Sun JUNG
;
Eun Hee JEONG
;
Woong NAM
;
Jung Wan KOO
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Task performance and analysis;
Ergonomics;
Municipal sanitation workers;
Musculoskeletal symptoms;
Upper extremity
- MeSH:
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Human Engineering;
Humans;
Logistic Models;
Lumbosacral Region;
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.);
Sanitation;
Solid Waste;
Task Performance and Analysis;
Upper Extremity
- From:Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2008;20(2):93-103
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate musculo-skeletal symtoms of municipal sanitation workers and to evaluate working conditions of municipal sanitation workers to search for the factors related to musculo-skeletal symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study subjects were comprised of 543 municipal sanitation workers in some divisions of Seoul and the Gyeonggi province. Musculo-skeletal analysis was done by using the modified criteria of NIOSH musuclo-skeletal symptoms, RULA and, REBA. Statistical analysis was done by using the chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 72.2% of the subjects complained musculo-skeletal symptoms (39.6% on the upperlimbs, 30.0% on the lumbar region, 27.4% on the legs). For the musculo-skeletal symptoms criteria (1~3), street cleaners complained of more musculo-skeletal symptoms than the solid waste collectors, after classifying the jobs of sanitation workers. On logistic regression analysis of the musculo-skeletal "symptoms criteria1" positive groups, age was related to the criteria positive (prevalence odds ratio=1.018, 95% CI: 0.993-1.046). The worktime was significantly related to 'criteria positive 1 and, 2' (prevalence odds ratio=2.165 (95% CI: 1.156-4.131), 2.187 times (95% CI: 1.071-4.651)). The RULA score, the subtotal A score of RULA, the REBA score and , the total A REBA score of the upperlimbs of solid waste collectors were higher than those of the street cleaners. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the lower ergonomic evaluation score of the street cleaner, the street cleaners complained of more musculo-skeletal symptoms than did the solid waste collectors due to more frequent repetitive motions, a longer work time (over 10 hours) etc. It is suggested that the sanitation workers need to use the proper methods to avoid musculo-skeletal disease.
