Cervical spondylosis among maintenance workers of the aerial electrical network in Alexandria city: an ergonomic study

ABSTRACT

Workers engaged in repairing and maintenance activities of the aerial electrical network are usually working in unfavourable conditions work stress, extreme body postures, harsh climate, electrical hazards, etc. This study had the dual aim of revealing the health status of those high risk workers, as well as analysis of extreme body postures and movements encountered during their work in order to stimulate efforts to improve their work conditions. Interviews of 173 workers representing the maintenance teams of all districts of Alexandria, followed by fasting sugar, blood pressure measurements and a cervical x-ray were performed. Workers were divided into 3 groups according to their use of different equipments. The comparison group [n=46] consisted of the auxiliary personnel and the truck drivers. The group of workers using the stretchable ladder [n=67] exhibited significantly higher prevalence of vertigo during work, more neck pain and higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis [22.4%]. The lifted box group of workers [n=58] showed significantly higher prevalence of back pain and a lower prevalence of cervical spondylosis [10.3%]. An ergonomic analysis of work posture consisted of examining 5 different repair sessions for each involved group. The mean percent and number of times of neck flexion and extension in the sagittal plane were recorded using a hand tally and a stop watch. Neck extension was predominant significantly in workers using the stretchable ladder. Further, it was noticed that the main posture of work puts the cervical spine in extension relative to the inclined worker's body on the ladder. Neck flexion, on the other hand, dominated in the lifted box group of workers. Repeated and prolonged neck extension might be a causal factor of cervical spine affections. Better equipment and modified repairing processes are highly recommended