Impact of Workplace Risk Factors on Postural Stability of Older Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bhattachara A ; Gordon, Jane E. ; Sobeih T ; Succop P
• Description:
  The incidence of falls increases substantially in people above 65 years of age. As more older workers (OW) are returning to the workplace, there is a need to understand the impact of risk factors affecting their postural stability. The purpose of this study was to: 1) determine the changes in postural balance in OW while performing simulated tasks, and 2) determine the contribution of individual and combined risk factors (personal and work environment) on postural stability. Ninety-five subjects (age range 45 to 75) performed 3 tasks (stationary, sudden loading, and reach) while wearing two types of footwear, under two environmental lighting conditions, and standing on two types of surface slipperiness. Postural stability was quantified using a force platform and a human kinematics analysis system. Parameters for characterizing postural stability included sway area, sway length (SL), antero-posterior and medio-lateral (ML) excursions, and index of proximity to stability boundary (IPSB) (based on both the subject's center of pressure and center of mass). An increase in the first four parameters or a decrease in IPSB indicates a decrease in postural: stability. Task had the greatest impact on postural stability (p < 0.000 I) for all parameters. Reach significantly decreased postural stability followed by sudden loading When compared to stationary. Poor lighting and slippery surface significantly decreased postural stability. Subjects in the older age group had significantly lower postural stability When compared to the younger group (p < 0.0002 for both SL and ML). Footwear was insignificant. Results from this study indicate that OW may be at increased risk of postural instability, especially when working on slippery surfaces and/or in low light conditions as aging process affects their vision and somatosensory system. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accidental Falls Accidents Age Factors Aging Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Age Groups Falls Posture Risk Factors Workers Worker Safety
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; Ohio ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  3-4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058671
• Citation:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 8-13, 2004, Atlanta, Georgia. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2004 May; :3-4
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2004
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  19990801
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 8-13, 2004, Atlanta, Georgia
• End Date:
  20030731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:41a258a3088ab33597edd524787fc9d5e1b38c424f5c3f8c14e8911bfea13c48dfea981a134069dd8e5543d68013f04c5cdde0e060d6679cf3e13832e9e2890d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/221708/cdc_221708_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 707.21 KB ]