Evaluation of low back pain risks in a beef skinning operation.
The low back pain risks in a beef skinning operation at a high stand kill floor workstation was evaluated. The increases in compressive forces at lower back (L5/S1) between normal slump (back angle 25 degrees, measured in the sagittal plane) and severe (45 degrees ) and between normal slump and very severe (70 degrees ) bent back postures were 387 N or 28% and 616 N or 45%, respectively. The high spine load coupled with high level of repetition can have a high probability of fatigue failure in the spine structural members. Non-neutral back posture for a large portion of the total work time can be a low back pain risk factor. The videotape analysis showed that the times involved during the task performance for the bent back (more than 25 degrees ) and severe bent back (more than 45 degrees ) were 48.4 and 33.5% of the total cycle time, respectively. The upper limit from OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysis System) for bent back posture is 30% of the total cycle time. The bent and twisted back posture (both more than 25 degrees ) time was 10.4% compared to OWAS limit of 5%. This indicated that actions are needed in the near future to alleviate the risk of low back pain. Ergonomics redesign of the workstation was recommended for the operation.
Das
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B
Department of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Biman.Das@dal.ca
Sengupta
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AK
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008462:Meat-Packing Industry; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011187:Posture; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014743:Videotape Recording; D016474:Weight-Bearing