[Physiologic occupational study of changing technologies in refuse collection]

The strain on drivers and on driver's mates was investigated while emptying 1.1 m(3) containers by means of new dust compressing vehicles, and while removing dustbins of 2201 capacity. A classification was made on the basis of heart rates sampled during the whole shift by portable memories. Extrapolating for the whole shift, the authors measured heart rates of 106.0 min(-1) (drivers) from the 2201 technology. The complementary values from the 1.1 m(3) technology were 107.7 min(-1) (driver's mates) and 105.2 min(-1) (drivers). The men's physical endurance limit would be exceeded when they handled dustbins without break. The investigated tasks are classified to be heavy in both technologies.