Measured by the oxygen uptake in the field, the work of refuse collectors is particularly hard work: Are the limit values for physical endurance workload too low?

Abstract

PurposeCollecting waste is regarded as a benchmark for “particularly heavy” work. This study aims to determine and compare the workload of refuse workers in the field. We examined heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake as parameters of workload during their daily work. MethodsSixty-five refuse collectors from three task-specific groups (residual and organic waste collection, and street sweeping) of the municipal sanitation department in Hamburg, Germany, were included. Performance was determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) under laboratory conditions. Additionally, the oxygen uptake (VO2) and HR under field conditions (1-h morning shift) were recorded with a portable spiroergometry system and a pulse belt.ResultsThere was a substantial correlation of both absolute HR and VO2 during CPX [HR/VO2R 0.89 (SD 0.07)] as well as during field measurement [R 0.78 (0.19)]. Compared to reference limits for heavy work, 44 % of the total sample had shift values above 30 % heart rate reserve (HRR); 34 % of the individuals had mean HR during work (HRsh) values that were above the HR corresponding to 30 % of individual maximum oxygen uptake (VO2,max). All individuals had a mean oxygen uptake (VO2,1h) above 30 % of VO2,max.ConclusionHR as well as the measurement of VO2 can be valuable tools for investigating physiological workload, not only under laboratory conditions but also under normal working conditions in the field. Both in terms of absolute and relative HR and oxygen consumption, employment as a refuse collector should be classified in the upper range of defined heavy work. The limit of heavy work at about 33 % of the individual maximum load at continuous work should be reviewed.

The physical performance of workers on offshore wind energy platforms: is pre-employment fitness testing necessary and fair?

“…For example, workers of a municipal sanitation department also reached similar values (averaging 1103 ml/min for a period of 1 h) (Preisser et al 2016b). In this study, the authors found that refuse collection could be classified as heavy work with a high cardiovascular load, based on similar methods of field HR and measurements.…”

Pneumologische Bewertung und Begutachtung im Spiegel von Beanspruchungskriterien

“…Der hier beschriebene Zeitrahmen von 45 bis 60 Minuten war tolerabel, eine Messung über eine ganze Arbeitsschicht (8 Stunden) wäre dies aber nicht. Die Probanden aus der Studie "Müllwerker in Hamburg" (siehe[17]) tolerierten klaglos die Maske und Sensorik bis zu 90 Minuten.Sicher ist diese Methode nicht für alle denkbaren Arbeitsbereiche anwendbar, so z. B. nicht für Personen, die bei der Arbeit kommunizieren müssen (Verkaufspersonal, Ärzte in der Praxis mit sprechender Medizin u.…”

Belastungsuntersuchungen in der Pneumologie – Empfehlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin e. V.

“…Zur Beurteilung der konkreten Arbeitsbelastung im Beruf mit Bestimmung der V O 2 ist die mobile Spiroergometrie geeignet. So kann die kardiopulmonale Belastung während der Arbeit hierüber detailliert erfasst werden [306].…”

“…Nach bisherigen Studien und Vorgaben wird empfohlen, dass der O 2 -Verbrauch 30 -35 % der V O 2 max bei einem Arbeitsumfang von 480 Minuten nicht überschreiten sollte [307 -309]. Neuere Daten zeigen, dass auch Dauerbelastungen von 35 -50 % der individuellen V O 2 toleriert werden [160,306,310]. Bei ausreichenden Pausen oder kürzeren Arbeitszeiten kann ein Grenzwert von 45 % der V O 2 max toleriert werden [311].…”