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Review
. 2013 Aug;209(2):80-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.047. Epub 2013 Mar 1.

Clinical guidelines for occupational lifting in pregnancy: evidence summary and provisional recommendations

Leslie A MacDonald  1 , Thomas R Waters, Peter G Napolitano, Donald E Goddard, Margaret A Ryan, Peter Nielsen, Stephen D Hudock
Affiliations
Review

Clinical guidelines for occupational lifting in pregnancy: evidence summary and provisional recommendations

Leslie A MacDonald et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Aug.

Abstract

Empirically based lifting criteria established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to reduce the risk of overexertion injuries in the general US working population were evaluated for application to pregnant workers. This report proposes criteria to guide decisions by medical providers about permissible weights for lifting tasks performed at work over the course of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Our evaluation included an extensive review of the literature linking occupational lifting to maternal and fetal health. Although it has been 29 years since the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs published its report on the Effects of Pregnancy on Work Performance, these guidelines continue to influence clinical decisions and workplace policies. Provisional clinical guidelines derived from the NIOSH lifting criteria that account for recent evidence for maternal and fetal health are presented and aim to improve the standard of care for pregnant workers.

Keywords: lifting; occupational hazard; pregnancy; recommendations.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1. Visual representation of lifting a compact load in each lifting zone
Graphical illustration of 9 work postures typically associated with lifting a compact load at each of 3 vertical and 3 horizontal distances in front of the body. The postural requirements of a lift, in addition to the weight of the object lifted, influence the risk of an overexertion musculoskeletal injury. Accordingly, recommended weight limits are reduced as work posture deviates from the ideal (ie, the close abdominal lift) to compensate for risk because of postural loading. The term “mid” refers to the “middle” horizontal lifting distance (between the close and far). MacDonald. Clinical guidelines for occupational lifting. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2. Recommended weight limits in early and late pregnancy for 3 lift frequency patterns
Graphics A, B, and C depict different recommended weight limits (RWLs) in 9 lifting zones as a function of lifting frequency and duration. Distance in inches is represented by the symbol ("). Lbs, pound. MacDonald. Clinical guidelines for occupational lifting. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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