Investigation of Musculoskeletal Discomfort, Work Postures, and Muscle Activation Among Practicing Tattoo Artists

Details

• Personal Author:
  Keester DL ; Sommerich CM
• Description:
  Tattoo artists are an understudied worker population with respect to investigation of work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) discomfort and associated risk factors. Results from one discomfort survey has been published; no analysis of worker biomechanics has been published. As such, a study was conducted to begin exposure assessment of tattoo artists to work factors that could result in MSK discomfort. Consistent with the prior survey, the current study showed an elevated prevalence of MSK discomfort. Twelve month discomfort prevalence exceeded 50% in the neck, shoulders, hands/wrists, and upper and lower back (range: 53-94%). Seventy-one percent of postures evaluated during 16 h of observation had total RULA scores of 5, 6, or 7 (investigation and changes are required soon or immediately). Static muscle activity levels in the left, right, or both upper trapezius muscles in each study participant exceeded the 2-5% MVE limit recommended in the literature. Intervention concepts are also discussed. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Tattooing Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Musculoskeletal Discomfort Biomechanics MSD Muscle Tension Musculoskeletal Disorders Posture Sustained Awkward Posture Tattoo Artists Unsupported Seated Work Work Environment
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  137-143
• Volume:
  58
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064643
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2017 Jan; 58:137-143
• Contact Point Address:
  Carolyn M. Sommerich, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 1971 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
• Email:
  sommerich.1@osu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• Performing Organization:
  Ohio State University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20060701
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:95d9257da78f60ec1fd70f2b582991b9919bd252397ab59cf4baee41706009f192a599e6bb4b9364436a120a6e1823b1804b197d91e9588ca03dbb4884c5c4d6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223070/cdc_223070_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 948.05 KB ]