Back pain in crane drivers.

If you work as a crane driver, the chances of avoiding lower back pain are low, very low. In fact, according to a HSE field study, crane drivers in docks will have a 67%-86% risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the lower back.

How does the back pain works?:

Back Pain The spine is made up of hollow bones called vertebrae. The nerves that run from the brain to the limbs are housed within the hollow tunnel called the spinal canal. Between vertebrae are the vertebral discs that are made of tough elastic material and act as shock absorbers allowing the spine to bend and twist naturally. These discs can degenerate and become weak with age or due to an injury. Disc Prolapse happens when the soft inner material of the vertebral disc bulges or bursts through the outer lining of cartilage and puts pressure on the spinal nerve.

The good news is that the risk can be controlled by following a range of actions including:

1. improving the driving position;
2. reducing whole-body vibration;
3. improving visibility;
4. reducing the working period;
5. training the drivers in making best use of seats and musculoskeletal awareness;
6. monitoring drivers for musculoskeletal problems; and
7. providing physiotherapy.

While there are a wide range of technical solutions in cabins which improve both the performance and health of the operators, the musculoskeletal awareness factor is yet to be fully developed and probably integrated in many safety programs.

But...what is exactly the “musculoskeletal awareness”?

According to National Pain Foundation, personal awareness of the body increases flexibility and improves coordination. This type of physical therapy teaches to move more efficiently and with better posture by discarding previous bad habits and by adopting better ways to move, sit and stand.

As a preventive approach, it is recognized that methodologies and techniques such as Alexander technique or Feldenkrians method help to improve the efficiency of movements. But also, there is evidence that describes the resolution of chronic back pain in patients who followed those awareness methodologies.

Combining the musculoskeletal awareness with proper design working space, can result in a drastic reduction in your risk factors. However, it is extremely difficult to maintain proper sitting “good” habits in the crane business. Due to the specific working environment, most of the crane drivers follow certain imperative postures that lead to:

• prolonged bending of the spine;
• whole body vibration;
• lack of body movement due to prolonged sitting;
• insufficient nutrition of the avascular inter-vertebral disc because of a lack of spinal motion.

Sitting positions in crane operators can also benefit from the development in Rotative Continuous Passive Motion (RCPM) developed by Merford with some unique features:

• RCPM stimulates the “pumping mechanism” of the disc to allow the disc to reabsorb fluid and regain height over time;
• decreases contact forces on facet joints, increases foraminal space and normalized pressure distribution in the disc reduces low back pain. Especially in situations with stochastic vibration.

For the best ergonomics in crane working environment in Japan: contact us

More information about the awareness methodologies:

Feldenkrians method http://www.feldenkraisinstitute.org/about.html

Alexander technique: http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm