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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of wearing hard hats on the lower cervical and upper thoracic region using surface electromyography (sEMG) and possible link to work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD). METHODS: Twenty study subjects wore sEMG sensors placed on the upper trapezius muscle on their dominant side to assess muscle activity while wearing different hard hats. Study subjects were asked to don six different hard hats and assume varied neck postures. A repeated-measures design was used to analyze the results for difference and similarities in muscle activity. RESULTS: There was a small, significant effect of wearing a hard hat on muscle loading in the upper trapezius (p = 0.038). Post-hoc analyses revealed the only statistically significant difference was between wearing no hard hat at all and wearing head protection (without accessories) in the flexed posture (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION:The results demonstrated that there was little difference in lower cervical and upper thoracic muscle activity while donning a hard hat and assuming various neck postures. Wearing a sample of commonly used hard hats in this study does not appear to substantially increase muscle activity that would cause fatigue in the lower cervical and upper thoracic region among young, healthy volunteer subjects.

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Nonfatal occupational injuries account for 95% of the total cases reported by private industry in 2015 with illness accounting for the remaining 5%. Employers recorded most illness cases as other illness which includes musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and systemic disease. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a broad range of disorders involving damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, peripheral nerves, joints, cartilage, vertebral discs, bones, and supporting blood vessels. Work-related MSD is a subcategory of these disorders, which is caused or aggravated by working conditions. MSD occur slowly over time due to the repeated wear and tear or microtraumas to the body. Ergonomists seek to identify and rectify factors that negatively impact the physical health and efficiency of workers. Participatory ergonomic programs seek to maximize the involvement of the workers in this process based on the simple fact that the worker is the expert. The following interventions were possible through the practice of participatory ergonomics.