Effect of back support vest in reducing discomfort from simulated manual handling of loads among male workers at Taman Pertanian Universiti, UPM

Tajul Ariffin, Muhammad Zulhaily (2017) Effect of back support vest in reducing discomfort from simulated manual handling of loads among male workers at Taman Pertanian Universiti, UPM. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Manual handling of loads occurs in almost all working environments and workers are most likely to be exposed to heavy loads. When manual handling of loads performed incorrectly posture and excessively weight of loads, these tasks may expose workers to physical risk factors, discomfort and pain. And many of workers took the initiative to use back support vest in order to reduce discomfort but there are still ambiguous and lacking evidences on the effectiveness of wearing back support vest. Therefore, it is require proving scientifically the effects of wearing back support vest in reducing discomfort to improve worker safety, health and comfort level. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of back support vest in order to reduce discomfort and to provide a good lifting posture for workers during manual handling. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted among male workers at Taman Pertanian Universiti (TPU), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). 38 respondents were participated, with 19 respondents for each control and experimental group. Each respondents in experimental group received back support vest intervention but respondents in control group did not received back support vest intervention. Localised Musculoskeletal Discomfort (LMD) scale questionnaires used to assess workers discomfort's level for lifting weight of 5.9 kg, 10.4 kg, 14.9 kg and 19.4 kg. RESULT: The results showed lower back part experienced greatest discomfort compared to other body parts. The percentage of improvement can be seen at neck, upper back, middle back and lower back. Throughout this study, there is significant reduction found in LMD's scale measurement in experimental group for certain body parts with the certain weights. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that with the application of back support vest during manual handling have potential to improve the comfort level among workers. Therefore, back support vest may have potential in reducing the occurrence of back discomfort during manual handling of loads. Keywords: Manual handling of loads, Localised Musculoskeletal Discomfort's scale, Back Support Vest.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2024 01:22
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2024 01:22
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2184

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