Introduction:

workers who perform maintenance in sewage systems are exposed to disergonomic risks that can trigger osteomuscular diseases.

Methods:

a descriptive study, with a primary source of information, after obtaining informed consent to a census of workers (43) who perform maintenance tasks in a public utility company in Colombia. Socio-demographic, economic, health and labor variables were explored. The ergonomic risk was evaluated with the RULA questionnaire. Descriptive and association analyzes were performed, with 95% confidence and 5% error.

Results:

of te workers aged 43 (± 12 years), 44.2% were water maintenance officers, with normal weight and overweight, prevalence of diabetes 5.1%, osteoarthritis and soft tissue injury 12.5%, active smokers 12.8% and 37.2% with pain in upper limbs. 86.0% performed tasks requiring urgent changes, 25.6% with a diagnosis of rotator cuff and 7.0% rotator cuff and lateral and/or medial elbow epicondylitis. The increase of musculoskeletal disorders with increased labor time, was associated to having had shoulder surgery or a history of shoulder accidents and older age.

Conclusions:

there is evidence of the need to carry out preventive and corrective actions in the study population, characteristics such as time in office, the work performed and age, are associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )