Impact of ergonomics risk among workers in clothes central distribution service in a hospital.
BACKGROUND
In health care services, the workers from laundry and linen services are exposed to various occupational hazards, including the ergonomic risk. Were decided to study the effect of ergonomic factors at work in the musculoskeletal system for employees in this sector.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study conducted in a mid-sized general hospital in Brazil. Site visit was conducted to apply recognition of occupational hazards and work activities flow. Medical evaluation of twenty-one workers was performed for designing the health status of them, focusing on orthopedic disorders.


RESULTS
Their activities are to distribute clothes in all units of hospital care in order to organize and maintain supplies. The principal complaints were back pain (43%) and shoulder pain (24%). The ergonomic risk happens due to repeated movements of lumbar flexion in sealing, raising the arms above shoulder level in storage and transportation of loads on the distribution of clean clothes.


CONCLUSIONS
The complaints by workers are consistent with the overloads identified in the evaluation of jobs. It is recommended to adjust anthropometrically the sealing workplace; the availability of stairs; the implantation of trolleys with four swivel wheels; short breaks during the workday; and to stretch the muscles before and during work.
Deparment of Social Medicine, Santa Casa Medical Sciences School, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
D A
DA
Sacouche
L C
LC
Morrone
J S
JS
Silva
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007847:Laundry Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016526:Workload