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Evaluation of Forklift Operators’ Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders at Two Manufacturing Plants
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2018/04/01
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Source: Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2012-0182-0208-3300, 2018 Apr
[PDF-1.80 MB]
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Description:The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the employers of two manufacturing companies to evaluate potential ergonomic issues and musculoskeletal symptoms among forklift operators, particularly when driving forklifts in reverse. Forklifts were used to transport parts and products to employee workstations or warehousing areas. In both companies, the forklift operators often drove loaded forklifts in reverse to avoid part/product damage. We measured the seated postures and whole body vibration of forklift operators during forklift operation. We surveyed the musculoskeletal health and work conditions of forklift operators and office workers who were not involved in forklift operations. We compared neck and back pain cases between forklift operators and office workers. Driving a forklift in reverse increased the risk of neck problems because of excessive neck rotation and extreme positions. In addition, forklift operators' exposures to whole body vibration exposures sometimes exceeded recommended limits, which could lead to increased risk of health effects. Forty-five percent of forklift operators reported non-accident related neck pain in the previous year, but only 7% of office workers reported non-accident related neck pain. Sixty-two percent of forklift operators reported non-accident related back pain in the previous year, but none of the office workers reported any non-accident related back pain. We recommended using tugger train systems instead of forklifts, minimizing forklift operations that require driving in reverse, pilot testing swivel seat designs that may reduce extreme head and torso rotation, and using job rotation to reduce the time forklift operators spend in extreme head and torso postures.
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Pages in Document:32 pdf pages
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Contributor:Galloway, Ellen;Watts, Shawna;
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NIOSHTIC Number:nn:20051455
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2018-101027
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Citation:NIOSH [2018]. Evaluation of forklift operators’ risk of musculoskeletal disorders. By Lu;M-L, Werren DM, Ramsey JG, Brueck SE. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health;and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for;Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2012-0182-0208-;3300,;
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Federal Fiscal Year:2018
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Peer Reviewed:False
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