Rui B. Melo

Ergonomic Work Analysis of a Pathological Anatomy Service in a Portuguese Hospital

Awkward and uncomfortable postures when maintained for long periods of time could stress and fatigue supporting muscles and tendons, leading to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). An Ergonomic Work Analysis was required to assess and evaluate the working conditions in a pathological anatomy laboratory. The objectives of this study were: assess the actual working conditions of the professionals in that service; establish relationships between them and the complaints presented; identify and select the most painful task/workstation, characterize this task/workstation in terms of the associated MSD development risk and, finally, identify and propose some preventive measures. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment was used and the results revealed that the risk for the development of MSD is present in all tasks. The three most critical tasks were identified. Considering the self-reported physical symptoms, the results were similar with the other studies reported.

Ergonomic Work Analysis of Industrial Quality Control Workstations

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect millions of workers in Europe and cost employers billions of Euros. Quality control workstations usually demand the adoption of awkward and uncomfortable postures for long periods, which may stress and fatigue supporting muscles and tendons, leading to the development of MSDs. An Ergonomic Work Analysis covered the working conditions of an industrial quality section and the main risks factors were highlighted. The main objectives were: to assess the actual working conditions; to establish relationships between these and the complaints workers presented; to characterize each task in terms of the associated MSDs development risk; to present preventive measures. Rapid Entire Body Assessment and Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System analyzed seventeen postures. Both methods scored three and five postures, respectively, with a high risk of developing MSDs whereas ten postures were qualified as of medium risk. Technical and organizational solutions were proposed and implemented.

Investigation of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors in the HORECA Sector

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and quantify the associated risk of MSDs development among workers in two sections of a Portuguese enterprise integrated in the HORECA sector. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was the method used to quantify the risk associated to MSDs development. The Chi-square test and Cramer’s V coefficient were used to assess associations between variables (demographic/work-related characteristics) and the prevalence of complaints (in each body region assessed) or the pain level of the working situation. Considering the RULA results, the risk for the development of MSDs is present in all tasks and in both assessed sections suggesting that investigation and adjustments in the work situation are relevant. In general, there were no statistically significant associations between variables (demographic/work-related characteristics) and the prevalence of complains (in each body region assessed) or the pain level of the working situation.

Analysis and Investigation of Work Accidents at a Portuguese Municipality

This study intended to analyze and investigate a set of workplace accidents that occurred in a Portuguese Municipality. The investigation focused on the accidents that took place within the Waste Collection Division of the Department of Urban Hygiene and covered a three-year period (2014 to 2016) using a formal and structured process - the RIAAT method (Recording, Investigation and Analysis of Accidents at Work). The RIAAT process included the reclassification and recoding of 109 accidents and the in-depth investigation of 19 accidents. The most frequent type of accident and the main factors that effectively contributed to the occurrence of the accidents were highlighted. Finally, the results were compared to those reported by Gabinete de Estrategia e Planeamento for a similar sector. The main variables assessed showed a very similar behavior.

Ergonomic Work Analysis at Plant Nurseries of a Portuguese Municipality

An Ergonomic Work Analysis was accomplished at plant nurseries of a Portuguese Municipality aiming at assessing the actual working conditions and the complaints presented by the workers; characterizing each task in terms of the associated MSD development risk and proposing preventive measures. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) were the methods used to quantify the risk associated to MSDs development. Eleven tasks were analysed and assessed with both methods. The results showed that the risk of developing MSDs was present in all tasks (Risk Level ≥ 2). There were no statistically significant differences between the results obtained with both methods. However, an overestimation was registered in 45% and 25% of the cases assessed with REBA and QEC, respectively. These results suggest that further investigation and some adjustments are required.

Beyond the Pleasures of Music: Are Music Teachers at Risk?

This study intended to find whether music teachers’ exposure to noise has got potential to produce hearing impairments and to investigate their actual hearing status. Twenty music teachers from a Portuguese college-level school of music were surveyed for their daily noise exposure and were submitted to several hearing tests. Occupational history, self-reported hearing disorders and use of personal hearing protectors were among the information collected with a questionnaire. Most teacher’s daily exposure to noise is below 80 dB(A), and less than 15 % of them were diagnosed with mild sensorineural hearing loss. Occupational exposure to noise does not seem to be the only factor responsible for this impairment. Recommendations on how to reduce the risk of hearing loss and control noise exposures are suggested and awareness rising strategies are under consideration.

Cooperation University and Industry, a Challenge or a Reality: An Example in an Aircraft Maintenance Company

This paper discusses a strategy to integrate ergonomics in aircraft maintenance industry. The program is a systemic and integrated project that involves: training for the workers; ergonomics analysis and intervention and research. The objective is to develop basic competences in ergonomics among team leaders, improve the working conditions and increase the production efficiency and effectiveness. In this particular industry, poor working conditions can influence the workers performance and lead to Human errors that can be responsible for aircraft problems later. After a two-year intervention program, the main results showed: a high level of motivation among the workers; the involvement of the workers in the development of solutions to improve the working conditions; and the involvement of the company and the university in long-term research projects. A discussion about the opportunities and difficulties in the collaboration between University and industries is also presented.

Risk assessment: comparison of semi-quantitative risk assessment methods

This article intends to present the results of a study conducted within the Master of Ergonomics in Safety at Work, which focused on a comparative analysis between 10 methods. This study aimed to investigate whether the risk rating obtained by these methods was identical for each of the risks previously identified and if the type of risk identified could affect the risk rating obtained by these same methods.