Centre for Physiotherapy Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Appl Ergon. 2011 Nov;42(6):801-6. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2011.01.002. Epub 2011 Feb 5.
Wool handling is an important rural occupation where workers process 200 or more fleeces daily, separating them into various quality components. Loads and postures they experience carry substantial risk of low back pain (LBP). Although a formal skill training structure exists, interaction with loads and LBP is unknown. We examined whether skill and LBP influenced trunk postures and loads of 60 wool handlers representing 3 skill levels. LBP prevalence ranged from 20% for junior (lowest skill) to 45% for open class (highest skill) wool handlers. Open class wool handlers demonstrated increased lateral bend and more axially twisted postures, generating greater medio-lateral shear forces and lateral bend and axial twist moments. LBP was associated with open class wool handlers spending more time in severe axially twisted postures. These findings suggest that skill-based training needs to be reviewed to reduce the quantity of axially twisted posture which may help reduce the prevalence of LBP in this workforce.
羊毛处理是一项重要的农村职业，工人每天要处理 200 多只羊毛，将它们分成不同质量的部分。他们所经历的负荷和姿势会带来很大的腰痛（LBP）风险。虽然存在正式的技能培训结构，但与负荷和 LBP 的相互作用尚不清楚。我们检查了技能和 LBP 是否会影响代表 3 个技能水平的 60 名羊毛处理工的躯干姿势和负荷。LBP 的患病率从初级（最低技能）羊毛处理工的 20%到开放级（最高技能）羊毛处理工的 45%不等。开放级别的羊毛处理工表现出更大的侧屈和更多的轴向扭转姿势，产生更大的前后剪切力以及侧屈和轴向扭转力矩。LBP 与开放级别的羊毛处理工花费更多时间处于严重的轴向扭转姿势有关。这些发现表明，需要审查基于技能的培训，以减少轴向扭转姿势的数量，这可能有助于减少该劳动力中 LBP 的患病率。
