Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Am J Ind Med. 2012 Jul;55(7):593-604. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22064. Epub 2012 Apr 27.
Professional cleaning has emerged as a new industry in Taiwan in the past few years. However, information about the workload and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among these workers is still limited. This study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomforts and the characteristics of musculoskeletal activities of cleaning workers in Taiwan.
Face-to-face interviews to collect basic information and to administer the Chinese version of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire were conducted on 180 cleaners. Biaxial electrogoniometers and electromyography were used to characterize the motion and forceful exertion of 56 cleaners during work.
Nearly 90% of the participants reported musculoskeletal discomfort in at least one body part due to work. Of the nine body parts examined, hand/wrist (41.7%), shoulder (41.1%), low back (37.8%), and elbow (33.3%) were most frequently reported to exhibit discomfort. Additionally, time pressure as a psychosocial risk factor was found to be associated with discomfort in several body parts. Measurements of electrogoniometry showed that wrists of many cleaners were frequently held in extreme angles of ulnar/radial deviation, leading to an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Motion repetitiveness and force output during mopping and sweeping tasks were considered less influential in developing hand/wrist discomfort.
Cleaners in Taiwan are a high-risk group for developing MSDs, and solutions are needed to avoid extreme motion angles of the wrists when performing cleaning tasks. Moreover, both psychosocial stress and the welfare of this group of workers deserve immediate attention from management and the government.
在过去几年中，专业清洁已在台湾成为一个新兴产业。然而，关于这些工人的工作量和肌肉骨骼疾病（MSD）的流行程度的信息仍然有限。本研究调查了台湾清洁工人肌肉骨骼不适的流行程度和肌肉骨骼活动的特征。
对 180 名清洁工进行面对面访谈，收集基本信息，并进行中文版标准化北欧肌肉骨骼问卷。使用双轴电子角度计和肌电图来描述 56 名清洁工在工作中的运动和用力情况。
近 90%的参与者报告说，由于工作，他们身体的至少一个部位有肌肉骨骼不适。在所检查的九个身体部位中，手/腕（41.7%）、肩（41.1%）、下背部（37.8%）和肘部（33.3%）是最常报告有不适的部位。此外，作为一种社会心理风险因素的时间压力被发现与几个身体部位的不适有关。电子角度计的测量结果显示，许多清洁工的手腕经常处于尺骨/桡骨偏斜的极端角度，从而增加了患腕管综合征的风险。拖地和扫地任务中的运动重复性和力输出被认为对手部/腕部不适的发展影响较小。
台湾的清洁工人是发生肌肉骨骼疾病的高风险群体，在进行清洁工作时需要避免手腕的极端运动角度。此外，社会心理压力和这一群体工人的福利都需要得到管理层和政府的立即关注。
