Occupational posture exposure among construction electricians

Summary, in English

The aim of this study is to record, objectively describe and compare working postures of Brazilian and Norwegian construction electricians. Postures of the upper arms, head, and neck during work and breaks were quantified by means of inclinometry for a representative sample of 12 Brazilian and 12 Norwegian electricians in the construction industry during a full work-shift. Despite that differences were found between specific work-related factors, Brazilian and Norwegian workers revealed a high and very similar level and pattern of postures for all evaluated body regions, suggesting that results could be extrapolated to other electricians. Upper arm elevation was high and similar for both groups and head flexion and extension was pronounced compared to other occupations. Thus, extreme postures were identified for construction electricians in both countries, with similar exposure pattern also for defined tasks (planning, support and wiredraw), suggesting that this job is risky regardless organizational differences. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

• Author: Cristiane Shinohara Moriguchi; Leticia Carnaz; Kaj Bo Veiersted; Therese N. Hanvold; Liv Berit Haeg; Gert-Åke Hansson; Helenice Jane Cote Gil Coury
• Department/s: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University
• Publishing year: 2013
• Language: English
• Pages: 86-92
• Publication/Series: Applied Ergonomics
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 1
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2012.05.002
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Topic: Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
• Keywords: Overhead work; Inclinometry; Postural recording; Musculoskeletal; disorders
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1872-9126