Abstract
This study investigates the effects of heavy pallet and drum handling on spinal loading at the L5/S1 region and surface electromyographic activity of the erector spinae muscles, and the associated risk of low back disorder (LBD). Ten field technicians at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) were asked to unstack plastic and metallic pallets and manipulate 55 gallon waste drums. Lifting the metallic and plastic pallets and lowering a 34 Kg drum induced the highest disc compression at the L5/S1 level, while manipulating the pallets and breaking up a 203 Kg drum induced the highest low back muscle activity. The major results showed that posture has a significant influence on disc compression force; however, the lowest muscle load may not be correlated with the lowest disc compression. The computed disc compression forces and EMG activities are most likely responsible for the elevated risk of back injury in waste management workers.
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