Ann Marie Dale1, Kim Miller2, Bethany T Gardner3, Ching-Ting Hwang4, Bradley Evanoff3, Laura Welch5. 1. Washington University School of Medicine, Division of General Medical Sciences, Campus Box 8005, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: adale@dom.wustl.edu. 2. Washington University School of Medicine, Division of General Medical Sciences, Campus Box 8005, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy, 4444 Forest Park Avenue, Campus Box 8502, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA. 3. Washington University School of Medicine, Division of General Medical Sciences, Campus Box 8005, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. 4. Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy, 4444 Forest Park Avenue, Campus Box 8502, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA. 5. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), 8484 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the transfer into the workplace of interventions designed to reduce the physical demands of sheet metal workers. METHODS: We reviewed videos from a case series of 15 sheet metal worksite assessments performed in 2007-2009 to score postures and physical loads, and to observe the use of recommended interventions to reduce physical exposures in sheet metal activities made by a NIOSH stakeholder meeting in 2002. RESULTS: Workers showed consistent use of material handling devices, but we observed few uses of recommended interventions to reduce exposures during overhead work. Workers spent large proportions of time in awkward shoulder elevation and low back rotation postures. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the development of new technologies and system designs, increased adoption of existing tools and practices could reduce time spent in awkward postures and other risks for musculoskeletal disorders in sheet metal work.
INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the transfer into the workplace of interventions designed to reduce the physical demands of sheet metal workers. METHODS: We reviewed videos from a case series of 15 sheet metal worksite assessments performed in 2007-2009 to score postures and physical loads, and to observe the use of recommended interventions to reduce physical exposures in sheet metal activities made by a NIOSH stakeholder meeting in 2002. RESULTS: Workers showed consistent use of material handling devices, but we observed few uses of recommended interventions to reduce exposures during overhead work. Workers spent large proportions of time in awkward shoulder elevation and low back rotation postures. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the development of new technologies and system designs, increased adoption of existing tools and practices could reduce time spent in awkward postures and other risks for musculoskeletal disorders in sheet metal work.
Authors: Ann Marie Dale; Lisa Jaegers; Laura Welch; Ellen Barnidge; Nancy Weaver; Bradley A Evanoff Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2017-03 Impact factor: 2.214