Citation

Axelsson SA, Ponten B. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1990; 5(3): 267-273.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A Health Risk Program for forest work has been developed in order to improve health risk identification by systematic evaluation of the relationships between work and health complaints, and to create a base for decisions on different actions to reduce the health risk. This paper deals particularly with logging-machine operators and the problem of the "overload syndrome", characterized by complaints and injuries to the neck, arms, and cervical spine. The results of health investigations of 1,174 machine operators indicate a prevailing average overload syndrome of 50%, mainly due to one-sided, repetitive, short-cycle working movements with arms and hands.The analyses show that a whole battery of measures is needed to radically improve this serious situation. Single measures might be positive, but are not enough. To be effective, the full program of measures must be carried out and adapted individually to each machine operator. Improvements in technology/ergonomics are needed, especially regarding the sitting work posture in the cabin, i.e., design of the arms of the chair, controls, and instruments. Important factors are working techniques, micropauses, and physical fitness. New work organization is the most difficult part of the measures to realize in practice, but also the highest potential for improving the situation. Examples of issues to address in this area are design and length of the working shift, job rotation, work tasks and responsibilities, team work, and motivation and payment systems.