TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Janitor ergonomics and injuries in the safe workload ergonomic exposure project (SWEEP) study
JO  - Applied ergonomics
A1  - Schwartz, Adam
A1  - Gerberich, Susan Goodwin
A1  - Kim, Hyun
A1  - Ryan, Andrew D.
A1  - Church, Timothy R.
A1  - Albin, Thomas J.
A1  - McGovern, Patricia M.
A1  - Erdman, Arthur E.
A1  - Green, Deirdre R.
A1  - Arauz, Rony F.
SP  - e102874
EP  - e102874
VL  - 81
IS  - 
N2  - INTRODUCTION: A Minnesota union identified to researchers at the University of Minnesota a concern relevant to a possible relation between their daily workload and outcome of occupational injuries among a population of janitors. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To assess if the ergonomic workload is related to injuries among janitors. <br><br>METHODS: Following an initial group discussion among janitors, which identified common and hazardous tasks potentially leading to occupational injuries, a questionnaire was developed, pre-tested, and distributed to the janitors. Questions addressed various exposures, including workload, and comprehensive information regarding injury occurrence over two six-month sequential periods (May 2016-October 2016, November 2016-April 2017). Quantitative ergonomic analyses were performed on a sub-group of janitors (n = 30); these included data collection to identify Borg Perceived Exertion (Borg) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scores. Descriptive, multivariable with bias adjustment analyses were conducted on the resulting data. <br><br>RESULTS: Eight tasks were found to be common for janitors. All average REBA scores for the tasks were identified in the high-risk category. The task of repeatedly emptying small trash cans (<25lb) was significantly related to injuries. Average Borg scores fell between the very light perceived exertion and somewhat difficult perceived exertion categories. Multivariable regression analyses indicated that age-sex-standardized ergonomic workload, measured by task frequencies and REBA or Borg scores, was positively related to injury occurrence. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Standardized ergonomic workload was positively related to injury occurrence. This information serves as a basis for further research and potential intervention efforts.<br><br>Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0003-6870
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102874
ID  - ref1
ER  -