Health, Physical Activity and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Stone, Sand, and Gravel Mine Workers: Implications for Enhancing and Sustaining Worker Health and Safety

Abstract

There is little data delineating relationships between health and worker musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), particularly among stone, sand, and gravel mine (SSGM) workers. There is also little data detailing the relationships between physical activity and MSS among these workers. A cross-sectional study using data from 459 SSGM workers was completed. Logistic regression analyses assessed relationships between health factors, physical activity, and low back, neck, shoulder, and knee MSS. Those who reported their health as very good/excellent were less likely to suffer low back and knee MSS. Those who indicated their health was poor/fair were more likely to suffer shoulder, neck, and knee MSS. Obese workers were more likely to experience knee MSS and those who smoked in the past had higher odds of neck MSS. Vigorous physical activity was mostly protective, but those performing more than 5 h of moderate physical activity each week had greater odds of shoulder and neck MSS. Given these results, workers in SSGM may benefit from targeted interventions that bolster vigorous physical activity and improve health. Further, health protection efforts need to be initiated by SSGM operations to address work issues and to sustain health as job roles and work hours impacted MSS as well.

Management Perspectives on Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Factors and Protective Safety Resources within the Stone, Sand, and Gravel Mining Industry

“…This perception is supported by current research. Smith and colleagues found that SSGM workers who reported their health as very good to excellent were less likely to suffer low back and knee musculoskeletal symptoms and those who were considered obese were more likely to experience knee musculoskeletal symptoms (T. D. Smith et al, 2020). Potential programs to bolster fitness within the industry may include what two different participants termed "stretch and flex" programs.…”

A Review of Relevant Regulations, Requirements and Assessment Methods Concerning Physical Load in Workplaces in the Slovak Republic

“…A two-step system of the work task assessment is used: The first step includes the assessment of the working posture of the individual body parts using angles. The second step includes the conditions which in the first step were labelled as conditionally acceptable or as acceptable [45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…The definition of a conditionally acceptable position of the trunk, head and neck, and upper and lower limbs is shown in Steps 1 and 2. The total time during an 8-h shift in each conditionally acceptable working position must not exceed 160 min, and the duration of the individual tasks must not be longer than 1 to 8 min depending on the type of the position and movement frequency [45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…The total time during an 8-h shift in each unacceptable working position must not exceed 30 min. The total time of work in a conditionally acceptable and unacceptable work position must not be longer than half of the 8-h shift [45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…The angles for assessing the trunk position relate to the vertical plane. The angle between the plane passing through the trunk in a neutral position and the vertical plane is 4 • [45][46][47][48][49][50].…”