Exposure to Vibration and Its Relationship with the Low-back Pain in the Drivers of Mining Heavy Vehicles

Abstract

Vibration can disrupt comfort, decrease effective labour and adversely affect peoples’ health and safety. This study aimed to evaluate vibration and its relationship with lower-back pain in drivers of heavy vehicles in the mines of Sirjan Gol Gohar Complex. This cross-sectional study was conducted on drivers of heavy vehicles in mines of Sirjan Gol-e-Gohar Complex, Kerman Province, Iran in 2013. The statistical population consisted of 432 (216 cases and 216 controls) people. Data were collected using Nordic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS20 software and statistical tests including t-test, ANOVA, chi-square and logistic regression test. Moreover, P<0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was significantly different in all three study aspects: in the past 12 months, in the past 12 months which resulted in limited activities and in the past 7 d in waist and back of drivers and non-drivers (P<0.05) (the incidence was more in drivers). Moreover, vibration was the main factor causing musculoskeletal disorders in the back (P=0.01).Vibration is a major factor causing musculoskeletal disorders in the back. Therefore, some suitable preventive measures must be taken to reduce exposure to vibration and to control it.

Keywords

• Vibration
• Low back pain
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Vehicle
• Drivers