RESUMO
Desde la perspectiva de la Ergonomía y la Fisiología del Trabajo, hay escaso conocimiento acerca del impacto que trabajos de alta demanda energética, efectuados en altura geográfica, tienen sobre el bienestar laboral de quienes los ejecutan. La evaluación de la respuesta fisiológica durante trabajos reales en altura no es simple. Las dos variables más utilizadas para cuantificar la intensidad de los esfuerzos son el consumo de oxígeno (VO2) y la frecuencia cardíaca (fC). La primera técnica es compleja, mientras que la segunda permite seguimientos de jornadas completas sin alterar el trabajo. Además, cuando se asocia a las actividades que la persona realiza, permite identificar cargas peak y proponer soluciones para evitarlas o reducirlas. En consecuencia, el objetivo del presente estudio es analizar y proponer una metodología simple, de bajo costo, para la evaluación de la carga fisiológica, combinando estudios de tiempo y medición de frecuencia cardíaca, en trabajadores que se desempeñan en altura geográfica. En cuanto a métodos, el estudio se efectuó en 23 trabajadores que tenían entre 26 y 60 años de edad. A cada uno de ellos se le hizo un seguimiento de jornada con registros continuos y sincronizados de tiempo y fC. Los principales resultados revelaron una correlación inversamente proporcional entre edad y frecuencia cardíaca peak. Al mismo tiempo, la metodología propuesta se demostró muy útil para identificar cargas de altas demandas fisiológicas, como apoyo para la búsqueda de soluciones ergonómicas. En síntesis, se concluye que la metodología propuesta, asociada a un enfoque de ergonomía participativa, permite abordar las tareas más críticas, identificar la intensidad de los esfuerzos y proponer soluciones en los casos de mayor sobrecarga.
From the perspective of Ergonomics and Work Physiology, there is little knowledge about the impact of high energy demand, performed in geographic altitude, over the well-being of their workers. The assessment of the physiological answer during real works in altitude is not a simple task. The two more used variables to quantify the intensity of the efforts are the oxygen intake (VO2) and cardiac frequency (fC). The first technic is complex, while the second allows a follow-up of the complete workdays without disturbing the work. Furthermore, when activities are associated with the person that performs it, it allows us to identify charges peak and propose answers to avoid and reduce them. As result, the aim of the present study is to analyze and propose a simple methodology, of low cost, to assess the physiological load, combining time studies and measurement of cardiac frequency, in workers performing in geographic altitudes. As for methods, the study was performed in 23 workers from 26 to 60 years old. A workday follow-up was performed to each of the workers with continuous and time-synchronized registers and fC. The main results displayed an inversely proportional link between age and peak cardiac frequency. At the same time, the proposed methodology proved to be useful to identify loads of high physiological demands, like support for the seek of ergonomic solutions. In summary, we concluded that the proposed methodology, associated with a collaborative ergonomic approach, allowing us to address the most critical tasks, identify the intensity of the efforts, and propose solutions in the cases of greater overload.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Carga de Trabalho , Altitude , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Ergonomia , Mineração , Fatores EtáriosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to analyze the current state of knowledge regarding ergonomics in Chilean mining. BACKGROUND: Information has been gathered during the past 15 years from studies of Chilean miners. METHOD: This article is based on a compilation of information of 700 workplaces where physical, mental, environmental, and organizational loads were evaluated with a systemic approach. RESULTS: The results of the Chilean experience reveal that it is important to overcome the concept of "static" ergonomics focused on workplaces that may be valid for offices and machine operation but not for a significant number of miners who will be moving around workstations located in systems of different complexity. The consequence of these complex and dynamic work situations is that more than 50% of absenteeism for health reasons is attributed to musculoskeletal disorders, and there are no standard recommendations that universally apply. The results showed that these problems can be tackled by implementing participatory programs. CONCLUSION: The main conclusion of the Chilean experience is that there is a need to continue advancing from diagnostic studies to participatory interventions. At the same time, it is imperative that all new investments in plants, small or large, include considerations of relevant ergonomic concepts from the early planning stages. It is also important to increase ergonomic training within companies, including not only the managers who make major decisions but also the workers who are directly affected by the lack of ergonomics. APPLICATION: It is expected that this description of the Chilean experience may be useful for other countries where mining is also a source of income and employment.
Assuntos
Mineração , Saúde Ocupacional , Absenteísmo , Chile , Ergonomia , Promoção da Saúde , HumanosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this paper was to explore the environmental factors which are considered to influence the workload of fire-fighters in Chile. METHODS: Work studies were conducted during actual fire fighting in order to synchronise the various activities with cardiac frequency responses. At each fire environmental temperatures were recorded, and as an indicator of the increased demands imposed by the terrain, the slope was measured as well as the type and weight of fuel being burned. Output was evaluated in terms of squared meters of line constructed. The physical characteristics of the workers were assessed and these were related to the work load. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 149 professional fire-fighters. RESULTS: The results showed that the fire-fighters had a heavy workload. Despite the fact that about 80% of the fires was controlled in less than 30 minutes, the fire-fighters were found to be exhausted after combating each fire. This suggests that they had a significant depletion of their physical energy which in turn led to a drop in the quality of the fire-line by the time the fire was extinguished. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the need for promoting more awareness of occupational health factors among the fire-fighters and fire management.
Assuntos
Incêndios , Árvores , Carga de Trabalho , Adulto , Chile , Geografia , Humanos , Aptidão Física/fisiologia , Temperatura , Adulto JovemRESUMO
La ergonomía es una multidisciplina preocupada de la adaptación del trabajo al hombre. Su desarrollo es reciente en nuestro medio, existiendo una gran necesidad de que los profesionales del área de la salud incorporen criterios ergonómicos en sus actividades, ya que en el mundo moderno existe un conjunto de patologías que pueden ser desencadenas o agravadas por el trabajo. En estos casos, los tratamientos no son efectivos si no se corrigen las causas que los generan. El artículo presenta una visión conceptual de ergonomía, sus objetivos, campos de acción y los aspectos fisiológicos, psicológicos, biomecánicos, ambientales y organizacionales que la sustentan, destacando su carácter multidisciplinario. Se analiza también sus proyecciones y su utilidad tanto en la adaptación de métodos tradicionales de trabajo como en las tecnologías del futuro.
Assuntos
Humanos , Pessoal de Saúde , Ergonomia , Carga de Trabalho , ErgonomiaRESUMO
De los brigadistas forestales se seleccionan al azar 63 trabajadores sin evidencias de patología respiratoria o cardiovascular pertenecientes a 5 brigadas de incendio de la VIII región. Se les sometió a un protocolo de esfuerzo con medición de gases espirados y del gasto cardíaco mediante impedancia torácica. Los objetivos son la caracterización basal de estos combatientes para conocer estos parámetros en trabajadores chilenos de nuestro ambiente forestal y servir de base para la medición luego de una temporada de incendios, entrenamiento y modificación de sus condiciones de alimentación. En un posterior estudio se mostrarán las comparaciones con los efectos del entreanmiento y vida de campamento de incendios. Se muestran los resultados y se analizan correlaciones
