Prevalence and risk factors of low back disorders among waste collection workers: A systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Waste management is a growing industry worldwide. Working conditions may entail risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders, and especially low back disorders (LBD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review on: (i) the prevalence of LBD; and (ii) risk factors for LBD among waste collection workers. METHOD: A search was conducted in three electronic databases: Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and Global Health ePublications. Data were extracted on study design, sampling strategy, geographical region, LBD prevalence, and risk factors. Data were reported narratively. RESULTS: Thirteen full-text articles met the study criteria. Using a range of definitions for LBD, the included articles reported a 12-month prevalence of 'LBD' between 16 to 74%, although none of the included studies quantified relationships between risk factors and LBD. None of the studies met all 9 risk of bias criteria. No articles investigated the association of risk factors and LBD, but even in absence this evidence authors of included studies suggested physical risk factors for LBD among waste workers: awkward posture, repetitive motion, and work duration. CONCLUSION: In light of these risks and future growth in this industry, the lack of high quality studies and investigation of risk factors highlight the need for more research in this sector which will support future LBD prevention efforts.

Musculoskeletal pain in college students: a systematic review

“…12 In a study involving a one-year follow-up of disability leave due to musculoskeletal pain, those workers who had sick days due to pain and decreased over the year and people who had sick days and increased over the year all had modifiable lifestyle factors at the time they were in disability leave, such as BMI, smoking status and vigorous leisure-time physical activity. [8][9][10] There are previous systematic reviews on musculoskeletal pain in different populations like young workers, 13 dental professionals, 14 office workers, 15 waste collection workers, 16 and farmers. 17 To the author's knowledge, there is no systematic review that covers musculoskeletal pain in college students.…”

Cooperativas de catadores e os desafios para a autogestão

“…Os processos de coleta, triagem e prensagem consistem, portanto, em atividades de prolongada permanência em pé, alto esforço físico para erguer ou arrastar grandes cargas de peso, poucas pausas para descanso e movimentos repetitivos. Essas características dos processos de trabalho também são observadas em outras cooperativas de catadores e evidenciam os riscos de adoecimento e lesão da atividade de catador (Araújo e Sato, 2018;Asante et al, 2019;Cruvinel et al, 2019). Nesse cenário, as catadoras preferem realizar a coleta do que a triagem, uma vez que o trabalho de coleta permite algumas pausas, estar ao ar livre e interagir com os moradores, além de, muitas vezes, ganharem panelas, eletrodomésticos, brinquedos e roupas dos moradores.…”

Assessment of Load Manual Lifting among Shelf-Stoking Workers in Chain Stores: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In 2014, about 40% of the reported occupational diseases were in the U.S. warehouses [37]. According to a review study conducted by Asante et al [38], the 12-month prevalence of LBP is between 16% and 74% in waste collection workers. A survey among freight workers in the central market of India by Gangopadhyay and Das [39] showed that they felt pain and discomfort in all parts of the body.…”