Arbeitsmedizinische untersuchungen �ber ladearbeiten auf einem gro�flughafen

Abstract

In an epidemiologic cross-sectional study, 366 transport workers (age-range: 19-61 years) of a big German airport who are engaged in physical heavy work in unfavorable body positions in narrow freight spaces of airplanes, were investigated with regard to their subjective musculoskeletal complaints through a standardized anamnesis in an interview questionnaire. An additional clinical orthopedic examination was performed in 104 of the transport workers. Back pains were the most frequently reported complaints: at the time of examination 66% of the transport workers reported present back complaints. 57% had experienced previous back syndromes. Increasing age and stature were associated with a higher prevalence of these complaints. Years of exposure to transport work correlated positively with the prevalence of back complaints. After back complaints, knee complaints followed in the prevalence of locomotor complaints (41% of the interviewed workers). The prevalence increased with age and body weight significantly. Neck complaints were reported by 33% of the workers, arm complaints by 41%: again, age increased the prevalence of these complaints significantly. In the standardized clinical orthopedic examination, the prevalence of the functional findings were sometimes higher than in the interview. In contrast to the subjective complaints at the interview, individual factors (age, stature, weight, and work experience in the present occupation) had very little influence on the prevalence of objective findings. The clinical, epidemiologic screening methods employed have proved efficacious in detecting orthopedic disorders in an occupational collective. This study has shown that transport workers with wide discrepancies between body length and the space available in airplane cargo bellies, considerable overweight, or a history of former back syndromes should not be employed. Means to alter cargo belly dimensions in airplanes as well as the increased use of mechanical loading aids and additional training of the workers in proper lifting and carrying of cargo should be taken in to consideration.

Mechanics of the Knee

“…Andersson et al 1976, Ekholm et al 1982, Nordin 1982, Chaffin & Andersson 1984. However, dysfunction of the knee joint is also, along with that of the other major joints, a common cause of impaired working capacity among unskilled labourers (Undeutsch et al 1982). Mechanical knee joint loads in different standing work situations have not earlier been reported in the literature.…”

Occupation as a risk factor for knee disorders

“…The studies referred to another 10 not revealed by the search. Exclusion was made of 15 studies dealing exclusively with self-reported knee trouble (3,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), four studies without a reference group (27)(28)(29)(30), seven studies in which the design was not epidemiologic (8,(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36), and one study dealing with an occupational group not exposed to knee load (37). Thus there remained 19 controlled studies with 25 references (4,6,9,, Several of the studies dealt with different types of knee disorders.…”

Working at the Check-in: Consequences for Health

“…Lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing of loads in limited spaces have been found to promote back disorder in airport transport workers. Among workers operating in limited airplane compartment spaces, MSDs were common complaints, with back pain the most frequently reported complaint (among 366 baggage handlers, 66% reported current back symptoms) [55,56]. Other researchers have examined muscle strength in airport transport workers, without investigating MSDs [57], while still others measured postural forces during baggage handling at a large airport, but made no recommendations [58].…”