Physical Exertion and Prevalence Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Brush Cutter Operators

Abstract

An Ergonomic Work Analysis was done to assess and evaluate the working conditions among brush cutter operators during vegetation management tasks. The main objectives of this study were: to assess the actual working conditions and the complaints presented by workers that accomplish the task with brush cutters; to quantify the physical exertion during the use of the equipment and to characterize the musculoskeletal symptoms. Nineteen workers agreed to participate in the study answering the questionnaire, while only seven of these participated in the Physical workload assessment. The six body regions with the highest percentage of complaints were the lumbar spine, followed by feet, dorsal spine, right-wrist/hand, cervical spine and right-thigh. Considering physical exertion, the results showed that the workload in this study ranged from low to very high or extremely high.