Comparative assessment of manual load lifting tasks by three methods: KIM-LHC, WISHA and Snook tables: A case study in printing industry

Abstract

Introduction: today, musculoskeletal disorders are considered as a serious threat for workers, and one of the main activities, which lead to these problems, is lifting. Moreover, workers in printing industry are widely involved in inappropriate postures and lifting loads. The aim of this study was to compare the results of assessment of lifting tasks with KIM-LHC, WISHA and Snook tables in printing industry. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total number of 58 employees (64 tasks in total) from a printing industry staff in Tehran were evaluated with three observational methods of KIM-LHC, WISHA and Snook tables, and the final scores and necessary action levels were determined for them. Furthermore, statistical data were analyzed by SPSS (ver.22) software using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Results: Results showed that the prevalence of lower limbs musculoskeletal discomforts was high. Comparing the results of load lifting assessment with WISHA and KIM-LHC methods showed that there was a significant relationship between these two methods (p=0.005). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the results of assessment through the WISHA and Snook tables methods (p=0.006), and finally the comparison of load lifting assessment results with KIM-LHC and Snook tables showed a significant relationship between these two methods (p=0.046). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there was a high correlation between the results of these three methods, and they can be used as an alternative in printing industry for assessment of the load lifting task.