Postural sway measurements: a potential safety monitoring technique for workers wearing personal protective equipment

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bhattacharya, Amit ; Clark CS ; Kincl LD ; Succop PA
• Description:
  This study investigated the use of postural sway measurements as a potential safety monitoring technique. Sixteen healthy male volunteers (age: 41.8 +/- 9.3 years) participated in this study. The level of neurophysiological strain and the ability to maintain upright balance for workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) were investigated. Three levels of PPE, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)-defined levels A, B, and C, were worn in random order while performing two randomly ordered tasks, resting and a workload. After the workload task, the perceived exertion and discomfort were recorded. Postural sway, measured using a microprocessor-based force platform system, was assessed after each task. The variables of sway area and sway length were calculated from stabilograms. These measurements were taken for three sway tests: 1) Eyes open (EO), 2) Eyes closed on a four-inch foam (FC), and 3) a dynamic test with the subject reaching for a weight placed in front, lifting it to his chest, and lowering back to the shelf four times (RE). The heart rate was significantly higher for the workload task (p < 0.05), and the levels A and B PPE demonstrated significantly higher perceived exertion results than level CPPE (p<0.05). The heart rate and perceived exertion were not significantly correlated with the sway measurements. Level A produced significant self-reported discomfort results for the upper back, lower back, and thighs. The sway variables showed significant differences with the PPE levels and the task. The workload task produced significantly higher sway length than the resting task (p < 0.05) for all test conditions. The PPE level B produced significantly higher sway length than PPE level A (p < 0.05) in the FC test condition. These results indicate that postural stability is altered with PPE use and with fatigued postural muscles. In summary, postural sway measurements may be used as a potential safety monitoring technique. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Biomechanical Phenomena Cardiovascular System Ergonomics Men Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Safety Safety Management
• Keywords:
  Age Groups Author Keywords: Personal Protective Equipment Biomechanics Heart Rate Measurement Equipment Monitoring Systems Motion Studies Musculoskeletal System Neuromuscular Function Neurophysiological Effects Personal Protective Equipment Physiological Effects Postural Sway Measurements Posture Safety Monitoring Safety Monitoring Technique Task Performance Workers

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• ISSN:
  1047-322X
• 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:
  256-266
• Volume:
  17
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20041067
• Citation:
  Appl Occup Environ Hyg 2002 Apr; 17(4):256-266
• Contact Point Address:
  Laurel D. Kincl, Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2002
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19920701
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• End Date:
  20070630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fba353010d552e2d95e189d45146673de095ff2af0329b839986351765e6029d635cafbbe34e8442ab4311b9245905fb46d35d598b83f0843f297f5bfce58259
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/193725/cdc_193725_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 497.57 KB ]