Low back pain among residential carpenters: ergonomic evaluation using OWAS and 2D compression estimation.
Occupational low back pain (LBP) remains a leading safety and health challenge. This cross-sectional investigation measured the prevalence of LBP in residential carpenters and investigated ergonomic risk factors. Ninety-four carpenters were investigated for LBP presence and associated risk factors. Ten representative job-tasks were evaluated using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) and ErgoMaster 2D software to measure elements of posture, stress, and risk. Job-tasks were found to differ significantly for total lumbar compression and shear at peak loading (p < .001), ranging from 2 956 to 8 606 N and 802 to 1 974 N respectively. OWAS indicated that slight risk for injury was found in 10 job-tasks while distinct risk was found in 7 of the 10 job-tasks. Seven of the 10 job-tasks exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) action limit of 3 400 N for low back loading. The point prevalence for LBP was 14% while the annual prevalence was 38%.
Gilkey
David P
DP
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1681, USA. dgilkey@colostate.edu
Keefe
Thomas J
TJ
Bigelow
Philip L
PL
Herron
Robin E
RE
Duvall
Kirby
K
Hautaluoma
Jacob E
JE
Rosecrance
John S
JS
Sesek
Richard
R
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis