Physical Workload Factors Research Articles

Risk indicators in the psychosocial and physical work environment for work-related neck, shoulder and low back symptoms: a study among blue- and white-collar workers in eight companies

The study was based on a questionnaire and included 209 white-collar workers and 241 blue-collar workers in eight companies. The questionnaire deals with musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial and physical load factors. The relationship between job factors and neck, shoulder and low-back symptoms was analysed. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was supplemented with an additional question regarding whether or not the symptoms were believed to be related to work. The associations between the psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms were substantially higher when solely work-related symptoms were included in the analyses; these associations were of the same magnitude as that between several physical work load factors and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. This study suggests that calculations of associations based solely on the NMQ, without the inclusion of questions to elicit reports of symptoms that are believed to be work-related, could have a powerful effect-masking consequence.

Repetitive work of the upper extremity: Part II — The scientific basis (knowledge base) for the guide

The concept refers to similar work tasks performed again and again. By necessity, repetitive work of the upper extremity implies a motor component, which can be defined in terms of time and force. Repetitive work of the upper extremity is considered one of several physical work load factors, associated with symptoms and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Other important factors are static loads, postures, and exertion of external forces. Scientific literature does not yet provide sufficient support for a separate assessment of risk for each one of these factors. They occur simultaneously or during alternating tasks within the same occupational work, and their effects concur and interact. Usually, harmful effects on the musculoskeletal system cannot be identified separately for each factor. Thus neither epidemiological, clinical or physiological/biomechanical studies support the view that repetitive work should be considered the prime exposure factor, without simultaneous consideration of forces and postures. Physical exposures should therefore be described and quantified with composite measures that consider all these factors (Drury, 1987; Putz-Anderson, 1988; Wells et al., 1989). In such exposure measures duration of exposure (hours, days, years) should also be included. For a complete risk assessment the characteristics of the individual and psychological and social conditions at work should also

Risk indicators in the psychosocial and physical work environment for work-related neck, shoulder and low back symptoms: a study among blue- and white-collar workers in eight companies.

The study was based on a questionnaire and included 209 white-collar workers and 241 blue-collar workers in eight companies. The questionnaire deals with musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial and physical load factors. The relationship between job factors and neck, shoulder and low-back symptoms was analysed. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was supplemented with an additional question regarding whether or not the symptoms were believed to be related to work. The associations between the psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms were substantially higher when solely work-related symptoms were included in the analyses; these associations were of the same magnitude as that between several physical work load factors and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. This study suggests that calculations of associations based solely on the NMQ, without the inclusion of questions to elicit reports of symptoms that are believed to be work-related, could have a powerful effect-masking consequence.

Impact of occupations and job tasks on the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this investigation reported epidemiologic studies on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (15 cross-sectional studies involving 32 occupational or exposure groups and six case-referent studies) were reviewed. The prevalence of CTS in the different occupational groups varied between 0.6 and 61%. The highest prevalence was noted for grinders, butchers, grocery store workers, frozen food factory workers, platers, and workers with high-force, high-repetitive manual movements. Odds ratios greater than 10 were reported for exposed groups in three studies. On the basis of epidemiologic and other evidence, it was concluded that exposure to physical work load factors, such as repetitive and forceful gripping, is probably a major risk factor for CTS in several types of worker populations. At least 50%, and as much as 90%, of all of the CTS cases in these exposed populations appeared to be attributable to physical work load.

Low back and neck/shoulder pain in construction workers: occupational workload and psychosocial risk factors. Part 2: Relationship to neck and shoulder pain.

The prevalence rate of neck and shoulder trouble and considerable neck and shoulder pain in a randomly selected sample of 1773 construction workers were studied. The relationship to physical and psychosocial factors was analyzed. The workers answered a postal questionnaire. Workload was measured by means of eight manual materials handling indices and ten psychosocial indices, based on results from factor analyses. The 1-year prevalence rate of considerable neck and shoulder trouble was 56% and of neck and shoulder pain 12%. To work with hands above shoulder level showed a dose-response relationship to both neck and shoulder trouble and neck and shoulder pain. The psychosocial factors were more prominently associated with neck and shoulder trouble and neck and shoulder pain than the physical workload factors. The psychosocial indices; psychosomatic and psychic symptoms, stress and job satisfaction showed the highest age-standardized prevalence rate ratios for both neck and shoulder trouble and neck and shoulder pain.

Occupational Factors in Sickness Certification

Physical work load was assessed by doctors and patients to have contributed to the health problems leading to sickness certification in 48.4% of 1413 patients certified sick by 118 general practitioners in Buskerud county, Norway (1986). Correspondingly, psychological factors were considered contributory in 32.1%. The potential for prevention of health problems underlying sickness certificates was reported in 37.1%. As expected, the frequency of sickness certification in which physical work load and psychological factors were considered to have contributed varied with the patients' occupation, type of work, and health problem. Physical work load was assessed as contributory particularly in patients with musculoskeletal/connective tissue diseases whose work involved much walking and lifting (93.2%) or was physically strenuous (94.0%). Psychological factors were assessed as contributory in a high percentage of cases whose work was mostly sedentary. The findings indicate that the potentials for prevention as assessed by doctors and patients were highest when the health problems underlying sickness certification were associated with musculoskeletal/connective tissue diseases. The results indicate a potential for prevention and limitation of sickness certification which may be utilized by a better collaboration between community medicine and occupational health services.