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2022 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

Musculoskeletal Disorders Investigation Among Workers that Operate with Brush Cutter in Vegetal Maintenance Tasks

Authors : Filipa Carvalho, Teresa Cotrim, Rui B. Melo

Published in: Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health III

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

Objective: The main objectives were to assess the real working conditions and the complaints reported by workers using brush cutters and characterize the tasks’ risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), aiming at implementing preventive measures. Background: The main tasks accomplished by brush cutter operators may be liable for increasing of chronic pain syndromes. Estimating the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal complaints among brush cutter operators and identifying possible associations with their real working conditions were the purpose of this study. Therefore, an Ergonomic Work Analysis was performed to evaluate and assess the working conditions of brush cutter operators during vegetal maintenance tasks. Method: To quantify the risk associated to the development of MSDs, Quick Exposure Check-QEC and Rapid Entire Body Assessment-REBA were applied for two tasks. A questionnaire aiming at characterizing MSDs symptoms and individual and work characteristics was filled by nineteen workers. Results: The results showed that the highest percentage of complaints were present in lumbar spine, feet, dorsal spine, right-wrist/hand, cervical spine and right-thigh. The risk of developing WRMSD was present in all tasks. Conclusion: This study has shown that several occupational risk factors trigger the development of MSDs among these operators.

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Title: Musculoskeletal Disorders Investigation Among Workers that Operate with Brush Cutter in Vegetal Maintenance Tasks
Authors: Filipa Carvalho
Teresa Cotrim
Rui B. Melo
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health III
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-89616-4

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-89617-1

Copyright Year: 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89617-1_34