scholarly journals Occupational Risk Evaluation through Infrared Thermography: Development and Proposal of a Rapid Screening Tool for Risk Assessment Arising from Repetitive Actions of the Upper Limbs

Author(s):  
André Luiz Soares ◽  
Antonio Augusto de Paula Xavier ◽  
Ariel Orlei Michaloski

Risk analysis is one of the main tools for preventing the occurrence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. New methods of risk analysis should seek to be more agile and simplified, encouraging them to be widely applied in work environments. This paper aimed to develop a rapid tool for assessing the risk of developing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) arising from repetitive actions of the upper limbs, while using a thermographic camera to measure skin temperature variation. A workstation was developed in an environmentally controlled laboratory, representing the five levels of risk presented by the Occupational Repetitive Actions Index (OCRA) Index, which were performed by 32 participants for 20 min. each level. There was a significant change in forearm skin temperature at all risk levels (p < 0.001), with a positive linear correlation (r = 0.658 and p < 0.001), which led the authors to perform linear regression analysis for the forearm region. The Predicted OCRA Index calculation equation was successfully developed (R = 0.767 and R² = 0.588), while using as independent variables: air temperature and temperature variation of the forearm skin. The Predicted OCRA Index can be applied as a screening tool for large numbers of workers in the same company or sector, due to its speed of application and the determination of risk level, but it does not replace the original OCRA Index.

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 103483
Author(s):  
Héctor Ignacio Castellucci ◽  
Carlos Viviani ◽  
Paulina Hernández ◽  
Gonzalo Bravo ◽  
Marta Martínez ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
Karwan Mahmood Khudhir ◽  
Kochar Khasraw Saleh ◽  
Muhammed Saeed Qadir ◽  
Kochr Ali Mahmood ◽  
Ahmad Azuhairi Ariffin

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) represent one of the leading causes of occupational injury and disability among the professional nursing, due to the number and variety of risk factors associated with the work environment. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and its association with ergonomic risk factors. A self-administered questionnaire and observational method was used to collect information from 420 individuals and then the data were computerized and analyzed by using SPSS version 21. The overall prevalence of WRMSDs among Ranya and Qaladiza districts nurses was 74%. The neck pain was the most prevalent site of WRMSDs (48.4%) compared to other body parts. Logistic regression analysis indicated that significant risk factors for WRMSDs symptoms were older nurses aged >39.5 years old (OR=3.076, 95% CI: 1.200, 7.884), medium RULA risk level (OR= 255.096, 95% CI: 24.078, 2702.681), very high RULA risk level (OR=151.675, 95% CI: 17.536, 1311.891), low RULA risk level (OR=9.277, 95% CI: 1.064, 80.893). Prevention strategies and health education which emphasizes on psychosocial risk factors and how to improve working conditions should be introduced.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-345
Author(s):  
Md. Sumon Rahman ◽  
Abid Hossain Khan ◽  
Md. Shohanur Rahman ◽  
Baishali Biswas

Sawmill workers in Bangladesh are increasingly at risk of emerging work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). Their jobs involve awkward manual handling tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. These are identified as risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. The aims of this study are to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and assessing the postural risk level among sawmills workers. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 254 workers from 60 sawmills at the southern part of Bangladesh. The overall 70.1% of sawmills workers were suffering musculoskeletal disorders in at least one body part for the last one year. The average Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) score of four main tasks (Pushing, Pulling, Lifting, and Carrying the timber) was 9.25, which is high risk for MSDs symptoms. The main reasons behind these MSDs are lack of knowledge about workplace safety, working postures and the settings of the workplace. We have recommended to the management to apply the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting and Manual Material handling techniques; arrange OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) ergonomic training to the workers. Also, suggested designing the working table and workplaces in ergonomically to mitigate the musculoskeletal disorders.


Author(s):  
Adriana Seára Tirloni ◽  
Diogo Cunha dos Reis ◽  
Salvador Francisco Tirloni ◽  
Antônio Renato Pereira Moro

Brazil is the leader in poultry meat exports, in which most products are in the form of cuts. This study analyzed the exertion perception of poultry slaughterhouses workers when performing cutting tasks, as well as the influence of knife sharpness on the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders by Occupational Repetitive Action (OCRA) method. Participants (n = 101) from three slaughterhouses were asked to rate their perceived exertion on the Borg scale during the cutting task when the knife was well and poorly sharpened. The OCRA results showed that the score for cutting with a dull knife was greater (43.57 ± 13.51) than with a sharp knife (23.79 ± 3.10) (p < 0.001). Consequently, there was a significant increase in the risk level of acquiring upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSD) by using a “poorly sharpened” knife (29%; p < 0.001; Borg scale 2–8). Thus, maintaining well-sharpened knives for optimal performance of the cutting task (fewer technical actions) is suggested, as well as including knife sharpening in the standard operating procedure to reduce musculoskeletal disorders.


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