Biomechanical workload during manual lifting: A case study on seaport stevedores in Colombia

• Main Author: Luis A. Saavedra-Robinson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Industrial de Santander 2019-08-01
• Series: Revista UIS Ingenierías
• Subjects: seaport stevedores; risk assessment matrix (ram); manual material handling (mmh); lifting index
• Online Access: https://revistas.uis.edu.co/index.php/revistauisingenierias/article/view/9452

Workload related to material handling is one of main biomechanical risks that cause work related musculoskeletal disorder at work. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for biomechanical loading present at carried out tasks by port stevedores. First, we made a diagnosis using the risk assessment matrix (RAM) then; we evaluated the biomechanical risk using the NIOSH lifting equation (Compound method). The results were a high level of unacceptable risk at the beginning and at the end of the task (scored 4.22 and 8.50 respectively). Subsequently, we made a correlation analysis between this scored and the musculoskeletal discomfort perceived by stevedores. From this analysis, it is evident that there is a direct relation between lifting vertical distance, trunk torsion, and the increase of musculoskeletal lesions suffered by the dockers. Finally, we proposed some methods to improve the activities of filling and emptying containers and minimize the manual material handling.