[Ergonomics aspect and musculoskeletal symptoms in a transport sector]

The aim of the present study was to identify the tasks ranked as the most stressful and to investigate the ocurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms among workers employed by a patient transport sector. The RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) scale of Borg was used to determine the rating of perceived physical exertion on the musculoskeletal system. Measures of musculoskeletal disorders was obtained using a modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire. The workers felt that all of the tasks related to patient transfer require intense physical exertion, with scores from 16.8 to 13.8. The workers reported high musculoskeletal complaints in several body regions, with highest prevalence in the low back.