A participatory approach to the study of lifting demands and musculoskeletal symptoms among Hong Kong workers

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the use of a worker based methodology to assess the physical stresses of lifting tasks on effort expended, and to associate this loading with musculoskeletal outcomes (MO). Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 217 male manual handling workers from the Hong Kong area. The effects of four lifting variables (weight of load, horizontal distance, twisting angle, and vertical travel distance) on effort were examined using a linguistic approach (that is, characterising variables in descriptors such as ''heavy'' for weight of load). The numerical interpretations of linguistic descriptors were established. In addition, the associations between on the job effort and MO were investigated for 10 body regions including the spine, and both upper and lower extremities. Results: MO were prevalent in multiple body regions (range 12-58%); effort was significantly associated with MO in 8 of 10 body regions (odds ratios with age adjusted ranged from 1.31 for low back to 1.71 for elbows and forearm). The lifting task variables had significant effects on effort, with the weight of load having twice the effect of other variables; each linguistic descriptor was better described by a range of numerical values rather than a single numerical value. Conclusions: The participatory worker based approach on musculoskeletal outcomes is a promising methodology. Further testing of this approach is recommended.

Prospective study on shoulder symptoms among kitchen workers in relation to self-perceived and observed work load

“…In this study, during the 1-year follow-up, the prevalence of shoulder pain increased from 34% to 41%, and every fourth worker developed a new episode of shoulder pain. Our results are in line with a study of lunch centre workers, one third of whom reported shoulder pain,13 as well as with studies in other occupational populations exposed to shoulder loading work 3 5 6. In our study, shoulder pain was very persistent (or recurrent): 75% of those with pain at baseline had pain 1 year later.…”

“…The 1-year prevalence of shoulder pain has varied between studies from 5% to 47% in the general population,2 increasing up to 70% among occupational populations exposed to shoulder loading work 3 – 6. Shoulder disorders are often persistent and recurrent, and tend to cause prolonged disability 5 7 8.…”

Musculoskeletal pain in ragpickers in a southern city in Brazil

“…LEP symptoms were assessed by aggregating questions of pain in one or more of four regions (thigh, knee, lower leg, and ankle). When analyzed separately, the prevalence for thigh (10.2%), leg (34.2%), knee (19.7%), and ankle (14.6%) were similar to those found by Yeung et al [2003] in Chinese manual handling workers, Gurgueira et al [2003] in Brazilian nurses and Nahit et al [2001] in workers of various occupations in England. By walking long distances, pushing their carts without wearing appropriate shoes, and working in a standing position much of the time, the ragpickers would be expected to suffer considerable pressure on their legs and feet.…”

Low Back Pain among Personal Care Workers in an Old Age Home

“…Self-perceived effort is an integration of multiple factors, including workers' knowledge of their own work environment, their health and well-being, and other non-physical work factors associated with work. Previous studies (Yeung, Genaidy, Deddens, Christin, & Leung, 2003; indicated that personal knowledge and experience can be used to evaluate the physical effort required for various lifting tasks to quantify the physical meaning of lifting task variables at workplaces. However, in this investigation, both exposure (perceived workload) and outcome (low back pain) were assessed by self-reports.…”