Affiliations: [a] Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| [b] Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (IFA), German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Sankt Augustin, Germany
| [c] Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Fabian Holzgreve, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9a, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. E-mail: holzgreve@med.uni-frankfurt.de.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Working in forced postures and standing continuously can be classified as straining the musculoskeletal system. OBJECTIVE:Since such postures are frequently used in hospital canteen kitchens, we used kinematic analysis to determine the working postures of canteen kitchen staff. METHODS:In this study, the daily work routine of 18 (11 w/7 m) workers of a hospital canteen kitchen (Frankfurt Main/Germany) aged 21–62 years (46±13 years) was examined by means of kinematic analysis (CULEA system; IFA; Sankt Augustin/Germany) and a detailed computerized analysis of the activities performed on-site. Angle values of the head and trunk were evaluated in accordance with ergonomic standards and presented using percentile values (P05-P95). The OWAS method was also employed to capture the proportions of standing, walking and sitting work. RESULTS:The kinematic posture analysis showed for all activities on the conveyor belt a tendency towards a dorsally inclined body position: trunk inclination (–7.5° to 0), thoracic spine inclination or a bending forward (–11.3° to 0°) and curvature of the back within the thoracic spine (–15.2° to 0°). In addition, >90% of the “activities on the belt” (46% of the daily working routine) were carried out standing. CONCLUSION:The activities on the conveyor belt were characterized by a tendency towards hyperextension of the trunk, possibly due to a too high working environment. Furthermore, an increased burden on body structures while standing can be concluded. From a primary prevention perspective, this increased standing load should be reduced by behavioral and relational prevention measures.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal diseases, canteen kitchen, kinematic analysis, CUELA, occupational medicine
