Risk factors assessment associated to the manual load handling

Abstract

The Law No. 20001, at Book II of the Labor Code of Chile (2005) defines that the maximum load is 50 kg for human handling, and explain the obligation of the employer to incorporate the mechanical tools needed to avoid manual handling load, and finally the training of workers in this field. The School of Occupational Therapy, at Universidad Mayor, develops in 2007 at a company linked to the metalworking metal mining, a diagnosis about risk factors associated with manual handling of loads in the areas of production and services in the company, and to comply with the legislation, known more accurately the real conditions of the manual handling of heavy loads within the company and its possible impact on the acquisition of skeletal muscle injury or disease in workers. There were used two methods for assessment, analysis of job placement and the software Ergocargas, strategies combining qualitative and quantitative respectively. As part of its main findings are that identifies the behavior of workers and work organization risk factors are those most relevant. On the other hand, it is seems that a critical point is the importance of addressing this issue within the company on a cross between the various departments that comprise it is essential to ensure control of risk factors associated.