Janitor Ergonomics and Injuries in the Safe Workload Ergonomic Exposure Project (SWEEP) Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Albin TJ ; Arauz RF ; Church, Timothy R. ; Erdman AE ; Gerberich, Susan G. ; Green DR ; Kim H ; McGovern, Patricia M. ; Ryan, Andrew D. ; Schwartz A
• Description:
  Introduction: A Minnesota union identified to researchers at the University of Minnesota a concern relevant to a possible relation between their daily workload and outcome of occupational injuries among a population of janitors. Objective: To assess if the ergonomic workload is related to injuries among janitors. Methods: Following an initial group discussion among janitors, which identified common and hazardous tasks potentially leading to occupational injuries, a questionnaire was developed, pre-tested, and distributed to the janitors. Questions addressed various exposures, including workload, and comprehensive information regarding injury occurrence over two six-month sequential periods (May 2016-October 2016, November 2016-April 2017). Quantitative ergonomic analyses were performed on a sub-group of janitors (n = 30); these included data collection to identify Borg Perceived Exertion (Borg) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scores. Descriptive, multivariable with bias adjustment analyses were conducted on the resulting data. Results: Eight tasks were found to be common for janitors. All average REBA scores for the tasks were identified in the high-risk category. The task of repeatedly emptying small trash cans (<25lb) was significantly related to injuries. Average Borg scores fell between the very light perceived exertion and somewhat difficult perceived exertion categories. Multivariable regression analyses indicated that age-sex-standardized ergonomic workload, measured by task frequencies and REBA or Borg scores, was positively related to injury occurrence. Conclusions: Standardized ergonomic workload was positively related to injury occurrence. This information serves as a basis for further research and potential intervention efforts. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Epidemiology Ergonomics Occupational Health Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Janitors Custodians Injuries Questionnaires Repetitive Work Task Performance Workload
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; Minnesota ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  81
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057430
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2019 Nov; 81:102874
• Contact Point Address:
  Susan G. Gerberich, Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
• Email:
  gerbe001@umn.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:16c7b90efcfe272f7f0f553a4ac6ebee7f6addb8d9f8454d3d9b32b2bd02dcce4c8369422d2b8b7e8546efebc2bd47c13535ba76fb1159d5592828bd2c9d3037
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214787/cdc_214787_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 500.07 KB ]