The role of whole body vibration, posture and manual materials handling as risk factors for low back pain in occupational drivers

Abstract

It seems evident that occupational drivers have an increased risk of developing back pain. Not only are they exposed to whole body vibration (vibration), their work often includes exposure to several other risk factors for low back pain (LBP), particularly the seated posture (posture) and manual materials handling (MMH). Excessive demands on posture are likely to be aggravated by vibration and vice versa, and the risks may be further compounded when MMH is performed. This study investigated the relative role of vibration, posture and MMH as risk factors for LBP and the stated hypothesis was that the risks for LBP in drivers are the combined effect of vibration, posture and/or MMH. The findings showed that interaction effects due to posture and one or both of vibration and MMH, rather than the individual exposure effects, are the main contributors for precipitation of LBP.