Spinal Loading and Lift Style in Confined Vertical Space

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dufour JS ; Lu M-L ; Marras WS ; Weston EB
• Description:
  The objective of this study was to investigate biomechanical loads on the lumbar spine as a function of working in a confined vertical space, consistent with baggage handling inside the baggage compartment of an airplane. Ten male subjects performed baggage handling tasks using confined (kneeling, sitting) and unconfined (stooping) lifting styles. Dependent measures of torso flexion and three-dimensional spinal loads were assessed with an electromyography-driven biomechanical model. Lifting exertions typical to airline baggage handling posed significant risk to the lumbar spine, regardless of lifting style. Statistically significant differences attributable to lift style (stooping, kneeling, sitting) were not observed for peak compressive, lateral shear, or resultant spinal loads, but lifting while kneeling decreased anterior/posterior (A/P) shear spinal loads relative to stooping (p = 0.02). Collectively, kneeling offers the greatest benefit when lifting in confined spaces because of the ability to keep the torso upright, subsequently reducing shear forces on the lumbar spine. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aircraft Biomechanical Phenomena Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Nervous System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Airport Personnel Author Keywords: Baggage Handling Biomechanical Modeling Biomechanics Body Mechanics Electromyography Kneeling Lifting Materials Handling MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Posture Sitting Spinal Cord

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• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  84
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058068
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2020 Apr; 84:103021
• Contact Point Address:
  Eric B. Weston, Spine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
• Email:
  weston.101@osu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0b7230483c0160d34004e602ba581836535f2f89f6a6f88a97455f612807ecdeb1feebc2047442a9c7a57e684c8fcdc561e28425a76cd4c1aab3ff53b74fb87f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/221244/cdc_221244_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.81 MB ]