Riesgos ergonómicos asociados a los trastornos musculoesqueléticos en extremidades superiores del personal de gestión del efectivo (cajero)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the upper extremities of cash handlers (cashiers), through the application of RULA, Check List OCRA and the Nordic questionnaire, in order to prevent the occurrence of occupational diseases in the short and long term. Method: A non-experimental, observational, field, cross-sectional, descriptive and relational research was carried out. A sample of thirty workers in the cash management area, who occupy the position of cashiers within this area, was established and were voluntarily observed in the field data collection process. The ages of the personnel who took part in the study ranged from 18 to 55 years old. The following ergonomic evaluation methods were used: RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) focused on evaluating the postural movements in the upper limbs, neck and trunk, developed by each of the cashiers during their work activity. Check List OCRA was used to evaluate the risk of repetitive actions in the upper limbs; this method performs a quantitative evaluation of repetitiveness, strength, postures and time. Finally, the Nordic Standardized Kuorinka Questionnaire was applied in order to quantify musculoskeletal pain in 9 regions of the body and to detect the incidence of the first symptoms derived from the work activity. The statistical validation of the results was by means of the inferential statistical t-Student test, used to compare the distribution of normality in independent samples. Results: The values obtained as a result of the Check List OCRA index show that the right upper extremity is being more affected, giving a medium - not acceptable risk level. Once RULA is applied, it is determined that most of the workers evaluated report a level of action type 2, known as "low". The affected body parts identified in the evaluation are mainly related to Group B: Neck, trunk and legs. The Nordic questionnaire showed that 41 % of the workers evaluated presented pain or paresthesia in the fingers of the right upper extremity, resulting positive to the test, and 14 % exemplified these positive signs in the left upper extremity. Conclusion: The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the job position and complaints or symptomatology of musculoskeletal disorders in workers with the position of Cashier. As part of the suggestions for the control of risks and musculoskeletal disorders, is the development of a plan for risk control and health surveillance, specifically for the personnel in this area.