ABSTRACT
The conditions of work for professional drivers can contribute to adverse health and well-being outcomes. Fatigue can result from irregular shift scheduling, stress may arise due to the intense job demands, back pain may be due to prolonged sitting and exposure to vibration, and a poor diet can be attributed to limited time for breaks and rest. This study aimed to identify working conditions and health outcomes in a bussing company by conducting focus groups and key informant interviews to inform a Total Worker Health® organizational intervention. Our thematic analysis identified three primary themes: lack of trust between drivers and supervisors, the scheduling of shifts and routes, and difficulty performing positive health behaviors. These findings demonstrate the value of using participatory methods with key stakeholders to determine the unique working conditions and pathways that may be most critical to impacting safety, health, and well-being in an organization.
Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Motor Vehicles , Fatigue , Humans , Occupations , TransportationABSTRACT
Los trastornos músculo-esqueléticos (TMEs) se encuentran entre los principales problemas de salud laboral en Chile, así como también a nivel internacional. En este sentido, los antecedentes epidemiológicos indican que uno de los potenciales agentes causales de TMEs corresponde al manejo manual de carga. Al respecto, la normativa chilena carece de métodos para evaluar riesgos de trastornos músculo-esqueléticos asociados a la manipulación de carga con una mano. Objetivo: Determinar la capacidad de elevación y descenso de carga con una mano en trabajadores de género masculino. Material y método: El estudio se efectuó en un centro hospitalario público y una industria metalúrgica de la Provincia de Concepción. Los trabajadores que participaron en el estudio efectuaban labores asociadas al manejo de manual de carga y/o pacientes. Para la determinación de peso máximo aceptable (PMA) se aplicaron pruebas psicofísicas. Se estudiaron las tareas de elevaciones y descensos entre suelo y codo, así como entre codo y alcance vertical de brazo. Se evaluaron diferentes frecuencias de manipulación de carga, siendo éstas una elevación o descenso cada 10 segundos, 1 minuto, 30 minutos, 1 hora y 8 horas. Resultados: Para las tareas analizadas, se determinaron valores de PMA que protegen al 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% y 90% del grupo estudiado. Discusión: Al comparar los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio con referencias bibliográficas de capacidad de manipulación de carga con dos manos, se verificó que el PMA determinado para una mano es menor entre un 55% a 69% que el registrado para dos manos. Se plantea la necesidad de efectuar estudios complementarios que permitan validar los resultados obtenidos, para avanzar en el desarrollo de métodos, criterios y normativa aplicable a tareas de elevación y descenso de carga con una mano
BACKGROUND: musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the major occupational health problems not only in Chile but at the international level. In this sense, epidemiological studies indicate that one of the potential risk factor of MSDs corresponds to manual material handling. In this regard, the Chilean legislation does not consider methods for risk assessment of MSDs associated with manual material handling with one hand. AIM: to determine the lifting and lowering load capacity by one hand in male workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a public hospital and in a metallurgical industry from the Province of Concepción. The workers that participated in the study carried out activities associated with both manual material handling and/or patient handling. To determine the maximum acceptable weight (MAW), psychophysical tests were applied. The values of MAW were established when the group handled loads with distances between floor and elbow and between elbow and vertical arm reach heights. Different frequencies were studied, each one handling load every 10 seconds, 1 minute, 30 minutes, 1 hour and 8 hours. RESULTS: For the analyzed tasks, values of MAW protecting the 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% of the group studied were determined. DISCUSSION: The results obtained were compared in this study using bibliographic references of handling load capacity with both hands. The values of MAW for one hand found in this study are between 55% up to 69% lower than those values registered for two hands, according with the literature reviewed. To validate the results obtained it is necessary to carry out complementary studies, in order to continue advancing in the development of methods, criteria and regulations applicable to lifting or lowering load with one hand
