[Risk assessment of biomechanical overload of limbs and spine in workers employed on stone paving roads, using a combination of different methods]

Abstract

Background: Few data exist on the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in road paving workers, in addition methods for risk assessment of biomechanical overload of the lower limbs and the spine are also lacking.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the risk from biomechanical overload for the whole musculoskeletal system and manual handling involved in the activity of stone paving of roads.

Methods: In accordance with the guidelines of the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene various risk assessment methods were used.

Results: The Washington State checklist revealed the presence of biomechanical overload of the spine in flexion. The Turin checklist showed a risk score higher than the acceptable limit for the cervical and lumbar spine and limbs (risk level similar to that obtained from the OCRA checklist for the upper limbs). The assessment of risk from manual handling of loads carried out using the NIOSH method provided a synthetic risk index whereas evaluation conducted using the Washington State method was acceptable.

Conclusions: Biomechanical risk assessment showed the presence of risk for use of force and awkward postures of the wrist and elbow, which agrees with literature data. The division of tasks among workers and the distribution of breaks helped to reduce the risk to an acceptable level for limbs. All methods however showed a risk for the spine. Health surveillance showed disorders of the spine in 28% of the workers and no disorders of the upper limbs, which agrees with the risk assessment.