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Mining Publication: Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Operators of Heavy Mobile Equipment

Original creation date: June 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the adequacy of the cab design and to determine the percentage of musculoskeletal symptoms among operators of mobile equipment used in mining and construction. A questionnaire was designed to assess demographics, work information, job history, and musculoskeletal symptoms in operators of heavy mobile equipment. Information concerning equipment included design of the seat/chair, levers, pedals, bothersome vibration, quality of ingress/egress from the equipment, proper preventative maintenance and repairs, and age of the equipment. The body regions that were evaluated included the neck, middle/upper back, low-back, shoulder/upper-arm, elbow/forearm, wrist/hand, hip, knee, and ankle/foot. Five hundred and eighty six operators completed the questionnaire. The results indicate that these workers are at risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders, and the need to quantify risk factors (i.e., whole-body vibration and static sitting postures).

Authors: NK Kittusamy

NIOSH/USBM Numbered Publication - June 2006

NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030971

In: Proceedings of the First American Conference on Human Vibration, June 5-7, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia. Dong R, Krajnak K, Wirth O, Wu J, eds., Morgantown, WV: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-140, 2006 Jun; :127-128


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