Manual handling of heavy loads and low back pain among different occupational groups: results of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA employment survey

Abstract

Background In Germany and other European countries, many occupations still involve manual handling of loads (MHL), an activity that puts the musculoskeletal system at risk of low back pain (LBP). This study aims to describe the current prevalence of MHL in different occupational groups stratified by gender in Germany, the association between MHL and LBP and the adjusted prevalence of LBP in different respond-categories of MHL. Methods Data was collected in telephone interviews conducted as part of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey, which covers work-related topics like working conditions, education, health status and job satisfaction. The analyses were limited to full-time workers (> 35 h/week) aged between 15 and 67. The frequency of MHL was analysed descriptively. BLOSSFELD classification was used to group the participants in occupational categories. The analysis of the association between MHL and the prevalence of LBP over the last 12 months was based on robust log-linear Poisson regression that results in prevalence ratios (PR). The main regression model was adjusted for gender, age, working hours, and working conditions. Adjusted estimates for the prevalence of LBP were calculated based on regression analysis. Results The sample consists of n = 14,331 participants (men: n = 8828, 61.6%; women: n = 5503, 38.4%; median age 49 years). Of these, 52.8% say they were exposed to MHL at work. MHL is most common in agricultural occupations, skilled and unskilled occupations. In the regression model, participants who said they were “often” exposed to MHL reported more frequently LBP than those participants who said they were “never” exposed to MHL. The PR as estimate for the association is 1.41 (95%CI [1.32; 1.49]). Postestimation of the prevalence of LBP began with 47.3% (95%CI [43.8%; 51.1%]) for participants who said they were “never” exposed to MHL and rose to 66.5% (95%CI [62.4%; 71.0%]) for participants who indicated they were “often” exposed to MHL. Conclusions The 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey emphasizes that MHL is still common in the German workforce and shows a significant association to LBP. Prevention policies for avoiding MHL remain vital.

Musculoskeletal disorders and incongruous postures in workers on ropes: A pilot study

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“…Körperliche Belastungen im Beruf und damit assoziierte Beschwerden sind unter Erwerbstätigen insgesamt und insbesondere bei Beschäftigten in manuellen Berufen, landwirtschaftlichen Berufen, der Bauwirtschaft und Dienstleistungsberufen häufig (BMAS/BAuA, 2020; Lück et al, 2019). Die engen Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen Tätigkeiten und dem Auftreten von Beschwerden konnten aktuell in der Erwerbsbevölkerung nachgewiesen werden (Barthelme et al, 2021;Mueller et al, 2021;Sauter et al, 2021). über Regressionsmodelle geschätzt und als adjustierte Prävalenzratio dargestellt.…”

“…Die Mehrheit der Beschäftigten (52,9 %) gab an, bei der Arbeit Lasten zu heben und zu tragen. Personen, die "häufig" schwere Lasten heben und tragen, hatten gegenüber Personen, die "nie" schwere Lasten heben und tragen, ein 1,4fach höheres Risiko (95% Konfidenzintervall: 1,32-1,49) für Rückenbeschwerden in den letzten 12 Monaten (Sauter et al, 2021). Manuelle Arbeitsprozesse wurden am häufigsten von Frauen in Semiprofessionen 37 (28,6 %) und Männern in qualifizierten manuellen Berufen (30,7 %) ausgeführt (Mueller et al, 2021).…”

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“…Al respecto, determina que el método NIOSH es el más usado para la valoración del riesgo biomecánico, identificando pesos, posturas y movimientos de cargue y descargue, más no de transporte o traslado de peso. Sauter et al (2021) mencionan en su investigación sobre manipulación manual de cargas pesadas y dolor lumbar entre diferentes grupos ocupacionales, con conceptos a nivel mundial, que las actividades que involucran manipulación manual de cargas expone al sistema musculoesquelético en riesgo de dolor lumbar. El método de investigación únicamente incurre en las tele encuestas realizadas a diversos trabajadores relacionados con el área, entre ellos, el sector agropecuario, el de mayor incidencia.…”