Postures and movements in the most common tasks of power line workers

The repair and maintenance of electrical power lines involves awkward postures, which are known risk factors for developing musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the present study was to quantify postures and movements of upper arm, head, upper back and neck in the main tasks performed by line workers. Posture of twelve right-handed line workers was recorded by inclinometry and presented as percentiles of angular and angular velocity distributions. All tasks involved considerable upper-arm elevation, ranging from 73° to 115° for the 90th percentile. Upper-arm elevation showed significant differences between tasks, but no consistent differences between right and left sides. Regarding velocity, the right arm presented higher levels than the left arm. All tasks required significant extension of head, upper back and neck, ranging from 7° to 67° for head (10th percentile). All tasks, except the one performed with a continuous extension, also involved pronounced flexion, ranging from 33° to 60° for the head (90th percentile). Work which required highly elevated arms also required significant head extension (r(2)=0.56). Awkward postures of upper arms, head, upper back and neck were identified by inclinometry, demonstrating the need for preventative interventions to reduce musculoskeletal disorders among line workers.