Biomaterial Database

Physical load in ship maintenance: hazard evaluation by means of a workplace survey. 1997

B van Wendel de Joode, and A Burdorf, and C Verspuy

Department of Public Health, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

In a population of male workers in two ship maintenance companies (n = 32), a workplace survey was conducted in order to quantify their physical load. Postural load was measured by using the Ovako Working posture Analyzing System. During 7480 observations, working postures, exertion of force and working activities were recorded. Awkward postures of the back occurred in 38% of the worktime, stress on the neck/shoulder region due to one or both arms above shoulder level was present in 25% of the worktime. Forceful exertions during lifting, pushing and pulling activities sometimes exceeded published guidelines for manual material handling. Determinants of physical load could be identified and a hazard evaluation procedure was designed by applying rating schemes to weight various patterns of physical load. Ship maintenance work compared well with other strenuous occupations. Considering the high prevalence of back pain (80%) and neck/shoulder pain (60%), as well as the results of the observation method ergonomic improvements are warranted. Physical load can be reduced by several technical adaptations and applications, and by enlarging task rotation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011187	Posture	The position or physical attitude of the body.	Postures
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D001696	Biomechanical Phenomena	The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces.	Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D012767	Ships	Large vessels propelled by power or sail used for transportation on rivers, seas, oceans, or other navigable waters. Boats are smaller vessels propelled by oars, paddles, sail, or power; they may or may not have a deck.	Boats,Hospital Ships,Boat,Hospital Ship,Ship,Ship, Hospital,Ships, Hospital
D013647	Task Performance and Analysis	The detailed examination of observable activity or behavior associated with the execution or completion of a required function or unit of work.	Critical Incident Technique,Critical Incident Technic,Task Performance,Task Performance, Analysis,Critical Incident Technics,Critical Incident Techniques,Incident Technic, Critical,Incident Technics, Critical,Incident Technique, Critical,Incident Techniques, Critical,Performance, Analysis Task,Performance, Task,Performances, Analysis Task,Performances, Task,Task Performances,Task Performances, Analysis,Technic, Critical Incident,Technics, Critical Incident,Technique, Critical Incident,Techniques, Critical Incident
D016272	Occupational Health	The promotion and maintenance of physical and mental health in the work environment.	Employee Health,Industrial Health,Industrial Hygiene,Occupational Safety,Health, Industrial,Hygiene, Industrial,Safety, Occupational,Health, Employee,Health, Occupational
D017751	Safety Management	The development of systems to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse occurrences in an institutional setting. The concept includes prevention or reduction of adverse events or incidents involving employees, patients, or facilities. Examples include plans to reduce injuries from falls or plans for fire safety to promote a safe institutional environment.	Hazard Management,Hazard Control,Hazard Surveillance Program,Safety Culture,Control, Hazard,Culture, Safety,Cultures, Safety,Hazard Controls,Hazard Surveillance Programs,Management, Hazard,Management, Safety,Program, Hazard Surveillance,Programs, Hazard Surveillance,Safety Cultures,Surveillance Program, Hazard,Surveillance Programs, Hazard