Abstract
One of the most frequent professional afflictions in Conservators-Restorers is the onset of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The conservation of textiles is recognizably vulnerable to these problems. However, the assessments of the ergonomic conditions for these workers are rare or even non-existing. The present study focuses on a group of conservators-restorers of textiles and relies on the use of a Nordic Questionnaire for musculoskeletal disorders coupled with a Quick Exposure Check for the task of consolidation on a horizontal table to determine the severity and exposure levels to WMSDs. All surveyed workers reported numbness, pain or discomfort in the last 12 months for the neck region, while 67% reported the same afflictions for the back, shoulders/arms and hands/wrist. In the same time period, half of the workers used pain relievers in order to maintain their professional activity. For the textile consolidation task, the neck and back areas showed high and very high levels of exposure, respectively, and the results place these workers at a high-risk for WMSDs due to cumulative stress. Mitigation strategies are proposed but these should be paired with professional counseling. Although preliminary, this study is the first of its kind to assess the ergonomic impact of the profession in Portugal and presents a methodology that can be used to perform similar evaluations in other workplaces and/or other specialties in the Conservation and Restoration sphere, both nationally and internationally.
Highlights
Art professions can be considered as hazardous occupations due to the materials used [1,2] but external factors such as irregular work schedules and long hours, solitary activities, inadequate preparation on health prevention measures and a general economic instability can have an impact on the worker’s well-being [3]
Each worker pointed out what they considered the two most strenuous tasks or sub-tasks. These were determinant for the step in the evaluation, the administration of a Quick Exposure Check (QEC) per task. This observational tool was developed for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practitioners to assess exposure to risks for work-related musculoskeletal disorders providing a basis for future ergonomic interventions
The questionnaires were applied to six workers, all conservator-restorers specialized in textiles
Summary
Art professions can be considered as hazardous occupations due to the materials used [1,2] but external factors such as irregular work schedules and long hours, solitary activities, inadequate preparation on health prevention measures and a general economic instability (especially for freelancers) can have an impact on the worker’s well-being [3]. The work performed on ancient documents and books in archives will certainly bring risks posed by biological contamination, while falling will be much more likely from a scaffold while restoring built heritage. Regardless, the most common risk factors facing this professional group are inhalation and contact with chemical or biological agents, dust inhalation, falls and visual and physical strain [6]. Restorers are challenged by the very frequent need to maintain awkward positions for a long time, while still managing to devote total concentration to the work being performed. This attitude can be compromising to their own health. From a survey conducted on a group of 35 CRs (personal data, not published) physical injuries were the number one complaint, resulting even in hospital
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