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Part 1: Participatory Ergonomics Approach to Waste Container Handling Utilizing a Multidisciplinary Team

Conference ·
 [1]; ; ; ; ; ;
  1. LLNL
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This multidisciplinary team approach to waste container handling, developed within the Grassroots Ergonomics process, presents participatory ergonomic interpretations of quantitative and qualitative aspects of this process resulting in a peer developed training. The lower back, shoulders, and wrists were identified as frequently injured areas, so these working postures were a primary focus for the creation of the workers' training. Handling procedures were analyzed by the team to identify common cycles involving one 5 gallon (60 pounds), two 5 gallons (60 and 54 pounds), 30 gallon (216 pounds), and 55 gallon (482 pounds) containers: lowering from transporting to/from transport vehicles, loading/unloading on transport vehicles, and loading onto pallet. Eleven experienced waste container handlers participated in this field analysis. Ergonomic exposure assessment tools measuring these field activities included posture analysis, posture targeting, Lumbar Motion Monitor{trademark} (LMM), and surface electromyography (sEMG) for the erector spinae, infraspinatus, and upper trapezius muscles. Posture analysis indicates that waste container handlers maintained non-neutral lower back postures (flexion, lateral bending, and rotation) for a mean of 51.7% of the time across all activities. The right wrist was in non-neutral postures (radial, ulnar, extension, and flexion) a mean of 30.5% of the time and the left wrist 31.4%. Non-neutral shoulder postures (elevation) were the least common, occurring 17.6% and 14.0% of the time in the right and left shoulders respectively. For training applications, each cycle had its own synchronized posture analysis and posture target diagram. Visual interpretations relating to the peak force modifications of the posture target diagrams proved to be invaluable for the workers' understanding of LMM and sEMG results (refer to Part II). Results were reviewed by the team's field technicians and their interpretations were developed into ergonomic training that address the issues originally raised. This training includes intervention methods, ergonomic tools used, dam acquired, and effects of waste container handling techniques on lower back, shoulder, and wrists and methods to help proactively reduce injuries associated with this profession.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
792806
Report Number(s):
UCRL-JC-137635-PT-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (14)

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Occupational risk factors associated with soft tissue disorders of the shoulder: a review of recent investigations in the literature journal June 1993
Postural load and back pain of workers in the manufacturing of prefabricated concrete elements journal July 1991
Observational Analysis of the Hand and Wrist: A Pilot Study journal November 1991
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Posture Targeting: A Technique for Recording Working Postures journal March 1979
A conceptual model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. journal April 1993
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Use of visual perception in estimating static postural stresses: magnitudes and sources of errors journal September 1995
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Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BENDING
CONTAINERS
HUMAN FACTORS
HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
INJURIES
MODIFICATIONS
MUSCLES
ROTATION
TARGETS
TRAINING
TRANSPORT
WASTES