ASSESSMENT ON WORK-RELATED LOW BACK PAIN OF MANUAL MATERIALS HANDLING WORKERS

Abstract

Awkward posture and overload lifting among workers requiring manual materials handling are risk factors of low back pain (LBP) development. This study aimed to assess health risk on LBP in workers requiring heavy physical exertion. This descriptive study was conducted among workers had manual material handling activities (n=70). Data were collected by a structured questionnaire and ergonomic factors assessment by using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and NIOSH lifting index. The health risk matrix was applied by considering the ergonomics risk component and the severity of low back discomfort among workers. Results showed that workers had LBP risk justified by the REBA component at moderate risk (42.9%) equal to high risk (42.9%) and 10.0% had unacceptable health risk. LBP risk assessed by the matrix of NIOSH lifting index component indicated that 57.1% of workers had moderate risk to unaccepatable risk on LBP. In conclusions, most manual handling workers had potential risk on LBP development. The factors contributed to LBP were not only heavy lifting, but also awkward back posture, prolonged hours and repetitive work. The suggestions are that the manufacturing should improve thsese working conditions, support instruments for safer materials handling and provide ergonomics training for workers in order to prevent the occupational LBP. The applied risk matrix is very useful for LBP surveillance program in this kind of occupational activities in the manufacturing.