Abstract

TROCONIS, Fernando et al. Study of postural and skeletal muscle damage in workers of oil platform. Salud de los Trabajadores [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.1, pp.29-38. ISSN 1315-0138.

The goal of this study was to evaluate postural and skeletal muscle damage in workers of an oil platform placed at the Maracaibo Lake . 55 male workers with mean age 40 ± 7.74 and labor experience 7,45 ± 3.18 years, who carry out in several areas of platform were evaluated through REBA method (whole body rapid evaluation). The results showed a high percent of risk between drill crew 23 workers (41.82%) and 6 workers (10.91%) when compared with 13 supervisors (23.64%) and 3 room operators (9.09%) who showed a low degree of REBA. The correlation between REBA score of different parts of the body demonstrated a highly significative risk of skeletal muscle damage specially in knees. A positive correlation was also founded between total and feet LME (p 0.05) as well as elbows LME (p 0.01). Besides, similar results were observed when compared different parts of the body, like elbows and feet (p 0.05), elbows and knees (p 0.05), low part of the back with knees (p 0.05) and elbows (p 0.01), high part of the back and hands (p 0.01). According to our results we can conclude that there is a high risk of skeletal muscle damage in a high percent of oil platform workers especially in those of drill crew and mud engineers. Age and experience in the working place are highly related with risk of postural and skeletal muscle damage.

Keywords : posture; musculoskeletal equilibrium; musculoskeletal system; injuries.