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BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder that leads to functional incapacity and absence from work. OBJECTIVE: To analyze warehouse workers’ prevalence and factors associated with low back pain. METHODS: Cross-sectional study design with 204 male warehouse workers (stocker, separator, checker, and packer) from motor parts companies. Age, body mass, marital status, education, the practice of physical exercise, presence of pain, low back pain intensity, comorbidities, time away from work, handgrip strength, flexibility, and trunk muscle strength were collected and analyzed. Data are presented as mean, standard deviation, absolute and relative frequency. A binary logistic regression was performed, with low back pain (yes or no) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: 24.0% of the workers reported low back pain with an average intensity of 4.7 (± 2.4) points. The participants were young, had completed high school education, were single and married, and had normal body weight. There was a more likely low back pain presence in separator tasks. Greater handgrip strength in the dominant (right) hand and trunk muscle is associated with no low back pain. CONCLUSION: Low back pain prevalence was 24% among young warehouse workers, more likely in separation tasks. A greater handgrip and trunk strength can be a protective factor to no low back pain.

BACKGROUND: An analysis of workers’ exposure to biomechanical risk factors in the workplace with a high methodological quality allows for stronger evidence of the relationship between risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the measurement properties of non-explicit observational methods. METHODS: Psychometric study design that included 50 workers in an analysis of occupational tasks (n = 50 video tasks) using a non-explicit observational method, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, and a workers’ self-report on their perception of their biomechanical occupational exposure. The reliability was tested by a non-explicit method and the REBA method. The validity of the non-explicit method was tested using the REBA method and the workers’ self-report, according to COSMIN guidelines. RESULTS: The intra- and inter-evaluator reliability of the non-explicit observational method ranged from moderate to strong (ICC2.1 = 0.45 to 0.87), and the agreement was acceptable (SEM = 0.60 to 2.79), expect for neck region. The REBA method showed intra-evaluator reliability to be moderate to excellent (ICC2.1 = 0.50 to 1.00), inter-evaluator reliability to be poor to strong (ICC2.1 = –0.17 to 0.83), and intra- and inter-evaluator agreement to be poor to moderate (SEM = 0.00 to 0.74). The concurrent validity between the non-explicit and REBA methods showed a strong positive correlation. CONCLUSION: The non-explicit observational method of biomechanical exposure analysis presented reproducible and valid measurement properties. Methods that present better measurement properties provide professionals with a better basis for analysis and assist in decision-making to reduce or eliminate risk exposure.

Background Inhaled dust in the environment can trigger specific reactions in the airways and cause various respiratory diseases. Objective Evaluate the lung function and functional capacity of foundry workers who are exposed to metals and use effective control measures. Method A cross-sectional study was realized with 108 workers at a bronze foundry and machining plant and in maintenance at a private university, both in Brazil. The workers were divided into two groups: the study group exposed to metals but using risk control measues and a control group not exposed to metal work. The Medical Research Council Questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered, and lung function and functional capacity were evaluated. Comparative statistics were used to identify differences in the outcome measures between the two groups. Results The groups had similar personal and anthropometric characteristics and time on the job. Spirometry and peak expiratory flow presented no significant differences between the groups. And there was also no statistically significant difference between groups in functional capacity as assessed by performance on the six-minute walk test. Conclusion Foundry industry workers in Brazil who were exposed to metal but used risk control measures had similar lung function and functional capacity when compared to the control group who were not exposed to metal. This is a positive results and maybe related to age, time exposure and control of occupational hazards. However, these workers need to continue being monitored in longitudinal studies.

Most instruments used by occupational safety and health professionals have been originally developed in English. Cross-cultural adaptation enables the use of these instruments in other countries, cultures and languages in countries like Brazil, where the official language is not English. This methodology ensures that the translation process includes the cultural and linguistic equivalence between the original instrument and the translated version. Therefore, this study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the instrument Quick Exposure Check (QEC) into Brazilian-Portuguese. The process of cross-cultural adaptation followed the steps of translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert committee review and pretesting. The final questionnaire was pretested by two raters in 40 workers employed in an expedition of knitting and textile industry. All versions resulting from the translation process (T1, T2) and back-translation (BT1, BT2) showed good agreement. During the pre-test was not presented any difficulty in understanding or completing the instrument adapted QEC for Brazilian language.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) include a list of inflammatory and degenerative diseases charac- terized by the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms, compensatory posture changes and functional disabilities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the kinetic/functional characteristics of textile plant workers, their level of exposure to risk factors and the contribution these make to musculoskeletal symptoms. The sample of 42 workers answered the Nordic Questionnaire and the Job Factors Questionnaire. The kinetic/functional characteristics of each worker were verified by a blinded evaluator. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation. Musculoskeletal symptoms were more prevalent in the spinal region and upper limbs. The exposure levels to risk factors were identified as a serious problem. Postural disorders, musculoskeletal symptoms and risk factors were correlated (P � 0.05).

UNLABELLED The aim was to evaluate work engagement (WE), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), postural deviations and to characterize musculoskeletal symptoms of federal civil servants of an institution of higher education. METHODS Twenty four women (age 40.0 ± 11.2 years, 1.6 ± 0.1m, 66.6 kg ± 10.0 kg) and 13 men (age 38.3 ± 10.3 years, 1.7 ± 0.1m, 84.3 kg ± 19.1 kg) were recruited. The Nordic Questionnaire was used to evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms and the Borg Scale for the RPE. WE was quantified by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (vigor, dedication and absorption domains). Posture was assessed by photogrammetry and analyzed with the Postural Assessment Software (PAS/SAPO). The independent student t test was used to verify WE and postural differences and the chi-square test to verify RPE and symptoms' differences between genders. RESULTS All subjects reported musculoskeletal complaints, mainly in the low back (28.4%). Women presented more musculoskeletal complaints (67%). RPE and WE did not differ between genders, however, women presented pronounced postural deviations compared to men (angle between leg and right foot dorsum, and horizontal pelvic alignment; p

This article intends to discuss the interfaces of Decree No. 6042 and the adoption of its guidelines as a strategy to reduce the occupational hazards.