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- Piedrahita, Hugo
(författare)
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Costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in developing countries : Colombia case
- 2006
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Ingår i: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1080-3548 .- 2376-9130. ; 12:4, s. 379-386
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The real burden of occupational diseases, specifically work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and its impact on workers' productivity is not known. The situation is critical in developing countries where only cases that cause workers' disability are recorded. In this study, the incidence of MSDs in Colombia was estimated by using the age and gender specific double incidence rate of repetitive strain injuries diseases in Finland for 2002. The results showed that the estimated number of MSDs recorded in Colombia during 2005 was 23,477 cases at the rate of 11.6 cases per 10,000 workers. The estimated total cost of these MSD cases relative to workers' productivity was US $171.7 million, representing around 0.2% of Colombia's Gross Domestic Product for 2005. The systematic appraisal of the incidence of MSDs and their associated cost on workers' productivity are necessary in developing countries to reduce the costly impact on productivity and to increase workers' well-being.
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- Piedrahita, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of local leg cooling on upper limb trajectories and muscle function and whole body dynamic balance
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Journal of Applied Physiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1439-6319 .- 1439-6327. ; 105:3, s. 429-438
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study was designed to find out if local leg cooling affects muscle function and trajectories of the upper limb during repetitive light work as well as capability to maintain dynamic balance. Nine healthy female subjects performed repetitive lifting task with right hand for 60 min while standing in front of a table with six target angles (30°-220°) and with the legs inside a container with 15°C cold water (Cold condition, C) or without water (Normal condition, N). Muscle temperature of the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius, rectal, and skin temperatures were measured continuously. The trajectories of the right upper limb were recorded with a 3D motion analysis system. Muscular strain (averaged EMG, a-EMG) and EMG gaps in eight muscles of the right upper limb were measured. End point excursion depicting the ability to maintain dynamic balance was measured before and after each experiment. Leg cooling decreased significantly (P < 0.05) the muscle and the mean skin temperature in C compared with N (6.7 and 2.2°C, respectively). No marked changes in the trajectories or EMG activity were observed between the different environmental conditions. The end point excursion was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in C compared with N and a positive correlation between excursion and muscle temperature was found at the end of the working period in C. In conclusion, local leg cooling did not affect upper limb muscle function or trajectories, but ability to maintain dynamic balance was reduced.
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- Piedrahita, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of cooling and clothing on vertical trajectories of the upper arm and muscle functions during repetitive light work
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Journal of Applied Physiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1439-6319 .- 1439-6327. ; 104:2, s. 183-191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study was designed to find out if cooling and/or clothing affect the vertical trajectories and muscle function of the upper arm during repetitive light work. Twelve female subjects performed a one-handed lifting task for 60 min while standing in front of a table with six target angles (30 degrees to 220 degrees ). The experiment was carried out in a climatic chamber in three different conditions: at 10 degrees C (C), at 25 degrees C (TN), and at 10 degrees C dressed in cold-protective clothing (C(p)). Skin and rectal temperatures were measured continuously. The vertical trajectories of the head, shoulder, elbow, and wrist on the right side of the body were recorded. Muscular strain (averaged EMG, a-EMG) and EMG gaps in eight muscles on the right upper arm were measured. The variation of the vertical trajectory amplitude of the upper arm measured from the elbow was significantly higher (at 200 degrees ) both at C and C(p) (50 and 25% respectively) and in shoulder (at 220 degrees angle) at C (33%) compared with TN (P < 0.05). Both C and C(p) increased a-EMG and reduced the number and duration of EMG gaps significantly in all muscles studied. In conclusion, in repetitive tasks the high mean vertical trajectory and changes in the amplitude of the trajectory of the upper arm at C and C(p) compared with TN were associated with increased muscular strain and reduced number of EMG gaps (more continuous activation of given muscle fibers). The changes in trajectories may serve as indicator of a risk for local muscle fatigue
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- Piedrahita, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Epidemiology approach of cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders
- 2006
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Ingår i: World Congress on Ergonomics. - Amsterdam : Elsevier.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Both physical conditions and psychosocial factors at the workplace are implicated in the origin of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); however, the evidence is stronger for physical conditions. Some epidemiologic studies have shown a relationship between exposure to cold and the development of musculoskeletal disorders, especially for neck and upper extremity. In order to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms between cold-exposed and non-cold exposed workers, a cross-sectional epidemiologic study was performed. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered to all workers in the packing areas (162) in a large meat processing company in Colombia. The workers were divided in two groups: exposed (50 workers) working in very cold areas (+ 2oC), and less exposed (112 workers) working in less severe conditions (+ 9.4oC). The results show a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among cold- exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders (48%, 36% and 24%). The estimated relative risks for neck and low back were 11.2 (95% CI 1.34 - 93.41) and 4.48 (95% CI 1.61 - 12.42), respectively. The authors conclude that these strong associations between cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders are plausible but the mechanisms remain largely obscure and require further research, both experimental and epidemiologic.
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- Piedrahita, Hugo
(författare)
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Evidencias epidemiológicas entre factores de riesgo en el trabajo y los desórdenes músculo-esqueléticos : [Epidemiology evidences between work factors and musculoskeletal disorders]
- 2004
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Ingår i: Revista MAPFRE Medicina. - 1130-5665 .- 2340-3403. ; 15:3, s. 212-221
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Se presentan algunas de las más importantes revisionesepidemiológicas de la relación entre los desórdenes múscu-lo-esqueléticos (DME's) y factores de riesgo en el trabajo,factores individuales del trabajador y factores organizacio-nales. Asociaciones epidemiológicas positivas son destacadas.Se concluye que a pesar de la falta de prospectivos estudiosy la incertidumbre con respecto a los mecanismos fisiopato-lógicos involucrados en la génesis de los DME's, recientes es-tudios apuntan a mecanismos multifactoriales entre condi-ciones de trabajo y desórdenes de mano, codo y muñeca.Algunos DMS's, como las tendinitis y el síndrome del túnelcarpiano (STC), están claramente asociados a trabajo repe-titivo v fuerza en el uso de las manos. Finalmente. algunas de, -las revisiones presentadas en este trabajo concluyen que lasevidencias epidemiológicas analizadas soportan una asocia-ción entre condiciones físicas y psicosocikes en el lugar detrabajo y DME's tanto de extremidades superiores como deespalda baja (DBE).
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- Piedrahita, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Health problems related to working in extreme cold conditions indoors
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Circumpolar Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1239-9736 .- 2242-3982. ; 67:2/3, s. 279-287
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To identify health problems among workers performing cleaning, maintenance and machine operation tasks inside cold storage rooms with temperatures between -43 degrees C and -62 degrees C in a freeze drying coffee company. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHODS: All 24 workers working inside the cold stores participated in the study. A questionnaire about cold-related health problems and the standardized Nordic questionnaire assessing muscle complaints were completed by all exposed workers. A physical examination was performed on each worker. RESULTS: The most relevant cold-related health problem was episodic finger symptoms (50%), followed by respiratory symptoms (21%), peripheral circulation symptoms (20%), and repeated pain in the musculoskeletal system (12%). Two subjects had a previous diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). The prevalence of musculoskeletal complains in the neck and low back was 21% in each. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence found for various complaints among the freeze drying coffee workers implies that the cold conditions inside cold stores may present a real risk of cold-related health problems and, due to lowered concentration level, for injuries, too. Greater efforts should be made to minimize the cold exposure by designing automation processes to prevent continuous exposure to cold during freeze drying process. In addition, improving the cold-protective clothing and guaranteeing its appropriate use will reduce health risks.
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- Piedrahíta, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Musculoskeletal symptoms in cold exposed and non-cold exposed workers
- 2004
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Ingår i: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-8141 .- 1872-8219. ; 34:4, s. 271-278
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was carried out to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and cold exposure in a large meat processing company in Colombia. All workers in the packing areas (n=162) were recruited: 50 workers from very cold areas (+2°C) and 112 workers from less severely exposed areas (range +8°C to +12°C). Thermal environmental conditions were measured in both areas. By Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, there was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the more exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders. The prevalence ratios for neck and low back symptoms interfering with usual work were 11.2 (95% CI 1.3–93.4) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.6–12.4), respectively. Job features that could not be addressed in this study included work shift (day versus night), adequacy of thermal protective clothing, type of contract with the company and psychosocial conditions at work. The association between cold exposure and musculoskeletal problems is plausible but the mechanism is still obscure and there is a need for further research, both experimental and epidemiologic (preferably cohort studies).
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- Piedrahita, Hugo
(författare)
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Working in cold conditions indoors : effects on musculoskeletal symptoms and upper limb movements
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis evaluated the general and local effect of cooling on upper arm movements and muscle function in its relation with musculoskeletal symptoms and complains in working populations. Two experiments were performed in laboratory conditions testing women such a subject. Epidemiology approach was used for evaluate the cold effect on musculoskeletal system in working populations exposed to cold. The results showed that general cooling affected upper arm trajectories due to changes in muscle function parameters. Local leg cooling did not affect upper arm muscle function or trajectories but ability to maintain dynamic balance was reduced.
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