INVESTIGATION OF WORK-RELATED DISORDERS IN TRUCK DRIVERS USING RULA METHOD

A high incidence of spinal disorders is observed in professional drivers; in particular, back and neck pain result in high rates of morbidity and low retirement age. A sample of 77 drivers, of rubbish-collection vehicles who sit in a standard posture and of road-washing vehicles, who drive with the neck and trunk flexed, bent and twisted, was studied using RULA, a method for the evaluation of the exposure to risk factors associated with work-related upper-limb disorders. Results showed a significant association between trunk and neck scores and all self-reported pains, aches or discomforts in the trunk or neck regions in all subjects. In particular, the neck score was significant in both postures, reflecting high loading of the neck. Significantly different posture scores were also recorded for drivers using an adjustable vs. a non-adjustable seat. In this first RULA study of the working posture of professional truck drivers, the method proved to be a suitable tool for the rapid evaluation of the loading of neck and trunk. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00036870
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

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  Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
• Authors:
  • MASSACCESI, M
  • PAGNOTTA, A
  • SOCCETTI, A
  • MASALI, M
  • MASIERO, C
  • GRECO, F
• Publication Date: 2003-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 303-7
• Serial:
  • Applied Ergonomics
  • Volume: 34
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0003-6870
  • EISSN: 1872-9126
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00036870

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drivers; Driving; Ergonomics; Injuries; Posture; Seats; Spinal column; Tank trucks; Trucks; Vertebrae; Working conditions
• ITRD Terms: 2040: Cervical vertebrae; 1772: Driver; 1855: Driving (veh); 2029: Ergonomics; 2163: Injury; 1236: Lorry; 2094: Posture; 1228: Road tanker; 1388: Seat (veh); 2041: Spinal column; 2261: Working conditions
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00963894
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 3 2003 12:00AM