Identification of physically demanding work tasks among cleaners: field study using electromyography

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Biomechanics
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Chronic forearm pain is prevalent among cleaners, yet specific high-risk tasks are not well-defined.
• Understanding muscle activity during cleaning is crucial for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the most physically demanding cleaning tasks for forearm muscles.
• To quantify forearm muscle activity during common cleaning activities.
• To provide data for the development of ergonomic tools and interventions.

Main Methods:

• Field study involving 7 healthy cleaners in a real work environment.
• Electromyography (EMG) recorded from flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles.
• EMG data normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) to assess muscle load.

Main Results:

• High-force tasks for FCU included rough floor, dirty rough floor, and office floor mopping.
• High-force tasks for ECR included mopping high walls, ceiling mopping, and baize cleaning.
• Static overload tasks identified for FCU and ECR involved various mopping and wall/ceiling cleaning activities.

Conclusions:

• Specific cleaning tasks impose significant high-force and static loads on forearm muscles.
• Recommendations include developing improved tools to mitigate muscle overload and prevent chronic pain in cleaners.