Powered-hand tools and vibration-related disorders in US-railway maintenance-of-way workers

Abstract

Maintenance-of-way workers in North America who construct railroad tracks utilize specialized powered-hand tools, which lead to hand-transmitted vibration exposure. In this study, the maintenance-of-way workers were surveyed about neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, powered-hand tools and work practices. Information about vibration emission data of trade specific powered-hand tools for the North American and European Union markets was searched online to obtain respective user information of manufacturer and compared to non-commercial international data banks. The survey showed that maintenance-of-way workers frequently reported typical hand-transmitted vibration-related symptoms, and appear to be at a risk for neuro-musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity. Of all of the powered-hand tools used by this trade, 88% of the selected tools exceeded a=5 m/s 2 and were above vibration magnitudes of common tools of other comparable industries. This may create a risk if these tools are used throughout an 8-h work day and management of vibration exposure may be needed. In the North-American market, limited or no vibration emission data is available from manufacturers or distributors. Vibration emission information for powered-hand tools, including vibration emission levels (in m/s 2 ), uncertainty factor K, and the applied testing standard/norm may assist employers, users and occupational health providers to better assess, compare and manage risk.

Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and work exposures among railroad maintenance‐of‐way workers

“…These findings are consistent with our previous analyses, in which we found associations between the duration of use of many railroad specific powered hand tools and UE musculoskeletal symptoms 7 . Our previous analyses also found a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, and frequent use of power tools and heavy machinery among MOW workers 1 .…”

“…However, manufacturer emission data on the powered‐hand tools used by MOW workers indicate that 88% exceeded a = 5 m/s 2 , the mandated daily 8‐h exposure limit value in the European Union and were above vibration magnitudes of common tools of comparable industries. The regular daily use of one or a combination of these hand tools should be considered following EU guidelines for good work practices 7,58,59 . If we interpret our categories of daily tool use in relative terms (for example, by using weights indicating fewer hours per day of use), our sensitivity analyses indicate that associations between power tool use and our outcomes remain statistically significant and, in fact, increase in magnitude.…”

“…Second, we found associations between “often” or “always” lifting, pushing, pulling, or bending on the job, as well as the use of high‐vibration vehicles and neck pain, knee pain, sciatica, and back pain, although back pain was not associated with vibration 2 . Third, we found associations between duration of use of many specific powered hand tools and musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremity (UE) 7 …”

Landsbergis et al. respond

“…

Thiese et al 1 which raised questions about our recently published article in AJIM 2 and two other publications 3,4 from our study of working conditions and musculoskeletal symptoms among railroad maintenance-of-way (MOW) workers. We conducted the study jointly with two other research teams who were studying mortality and the social and economic impact of diseases and injuries among MOW workers.

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Concerns re Landsbergis et al: Occupational risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among railroad maintenance‐of‐way workers

“…We note that the only data that the authors collected and analyzed were worker self-reports on both symptoms and workplace factors; a 12% response rate was reported. Two additional articles have been published 2,3 based on this same survey. Questionnairebased research should capture as much of the target population as possible to avoid problems of selection bias.…”