Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture
Abstract Background To reduce ergonomic risk factors in terms of awkward and constrained postures and high velocities, it is important to perform adequate risk assessments. Technical methods provide objective measures of physical workload. These methods have so far mainly been used by researchers. H...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-018-2328-8 |
| _version_ | 1818523866993000448 |
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| author | Camilla Dahlqvist Catarina Nordander Mikael Forsman Henrik Enquist |
| author_facet | Camilla Dahlqvist Catarina Nordander Mikael Forsman Henrik Enquist |
| author_sort | Camilla Dahlqvist |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background To reduce ergonomic risk factors in terms of awkward and constrained postures and high velocities, it is important to perform adequate risk assessments. Technical methods provide objective measures of physical workload. These methods have so far mainly been used by researchers. However, if written instructions how to apply the sensors and how to adopt the reference posture are provided, together with triaxial accelerometers, it may be possible for employees to record their own physical workload. The exposure in terms of e.g. upper arm elevations could then easily be assessed for all workers in a workplace. The main aims of this study were: 1) to compare analyses for self-recording of upper arm elevation during work using a simplified reference posture versus using a standard reference posture, and 2) to compare the two reference postures. Methods Twenty-eight cleaners attached an accelerometer to their dominant upper arm and adopted a simplified reference according to a written instruction. They were thereafter instructed by a researcher to adopt a standard reference. Upper arm elevations were recorded for 2 or 3 days. Each recording was analysed twice; relative to the simplified reference posture and relative to the standard reference posture. The group means of the differences in recorded upper arm elevations between simplified and standard reference analyses were assessed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Furthermore, we calculated the group mean of the differences between the simplified reference posture and the standard reference posture. Results For arm elevation during work (50th percentile), the group mean of the differences between the two analyses was 0.2° (range -7 – 10°). The group mean of the differences between the two references was 9° (range 1 – 21°). The subjects were able to follow the instructions in the protocol and performed self-recording of upper arm elevation and velocity. Conclusions The small difference between the two analyses indicates that recordings performed by employees themselves are comparable, on a group level, with those performed by researchers. Self-recordings in combination with action levels would provide employers with a method for risk assessment as a solid basis for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:49:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1345f4dd9a6b4141b12ccf96db4098d5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2474 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:49:57Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-1345f4dd9a6b4141b12ccf96db4098d52022-12-22T01:18:51ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742018-11-0119111410.1186/s12891-018-2328-8Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference postureCamilla Dahlqvist0Catarina Nordander1Mikael Forsman2Henrik Enquist3Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund UniversityDivision of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund UniversityDivision of Ergonomics, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyDivision of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund UniversityAbstract Background To reduce ergonomic risk factors in terms of awkward and constrained postures and high velocities, it is important to perform adequate risk assessments. Technical methods provide objective measures of physical workload. These methods have so far mainly been used by researchers. However, if written instructions how to apply the sensors and how to adopt the reference posture are provided, together with triaxial accelerometers, it may be possible for employees to record their own physical workload. The exposure in terms of e.g. upper arm elevations could then easily be assessed for all workers in a workplace. The main aims of this study were: 1) to compare analyses for self-recording of upper arm elevation during work using a simplified reference posture versus using a standard reference posture, and 2) to compare the two reference postures. Methods Twenty-eight cleaners attached an accelerometer to their dominant upper arm and adopted a simplified reference according to a written instruction. They were thereafter instructed by a researcher to adopt a standard reference. Upper arm elevations were recorded for 2 or 3 days. Each recording was analysed twice; relative to the simplified reference posture and relative to the standard reference posture. The group means of the differences in recorded upper arm elevations between simplified and standard reference analyses were assessed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Furthermore, we calculated the group mean of the differences between the simplified reference posture and the standard reference posture. Results For arm elevation during work (50th percentile), the group mean of the differences between the two analyses was 0.2° (range -7 – 10°). The group mean of the differences between the two references was 9° (range 1 – 21°). The subjects were able to follow the instructions in the protocol and performed self-recording of upper arm elevation and velocity. Conclusions The small difference between the two analyses indicates that recordings performed by employees themselves are comparable, on a group level, with those performed by researchers. Self-recordings in combination with action levels would provide employers with a method for risk assessment as a solid basis for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-018-2328-8InclinometryZero positionSelf-measurementPhysical workloadAngular velocityArm elevation |
| spellingShingle | Camilla Dahlqvist Catarina Nordander Mikael Forsman Henrik Enquist Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Inclinometry Zero position Self-measurement Physical workload Angular velocity Arm elevation |
| title | Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture |
| title_full | Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture |
| title_fullStr | Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture |
| title_short | Self-recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning – comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture |
| title_sort | self recordings of upper arm elevation during cleaning comparison between analyses using a simplified reference posture and a standard reference posture |
| topic | Inclinometry Zero position Self-measurement Physical workload Angular velocity Arm elevation |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-018-2328-8 |
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