Table B1 Mechanical exposure translation survey
Descriptive textEstimated exposure based on descriptive text
(1) Light physical work (white-collar workers), such as teachers, office clerks and housewivesPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(2) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. >90° trunk flexion for 5–10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(3) Machine operators comprised earthmover operators and longshoremen specialised in motorised stevedoring. Machine operators are exposed to low-frequency whole-body vibration and to static load due to prolonged sitting in a constrained posture and the handling of steering apparatus. Their work occasionally includes materials handling and maintenance of machines. The machine used most commonly by longshoremen is a forklift truck. Earthmover operators use heavier machinery, such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel-loaders, etc, in preparing the ground for buildings and in road construction.Posture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(4) Employees of an automobile assembly plant during 1984 and 1985 from four major production departments: body, paint, trim and chassis. For each worker one job was selected for videotaping and analysis. Most jobs were machine- paced and highly repetitive; the speed of the line throughout the plant was approximately 60 units per hour. Peak biomechanical forces on the spine were analysed for postures where a load weighing at least 10 lbs was held in the hands. 20°–45° trunk flexion ⩽10% of the work cyclePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(5) Warehouse workersPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(6) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. <30° trunk flexion for 5–10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(7) Employees of an automobile assembly plant during 1984 and 1985 from four major production departments: body, paint, trim and chassis. For each worker one job was selected for videotaping and analysis. Most jobs were machine-paced and highly repetitive; the speed of the line throughout the plant was approximately 60 units per hour. Peak biomechanical forces on the spine were analysed for postures where a load weighing at least 10 lbs was held in the hands. 0°–20° trunk flexion ⩽10% of the work cyclePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(8) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 30°–60° trunk flexion for ⩽5% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(9) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs, and caring professions were included in this study. >15 lifts of ⩾25 kg per working dayPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(10) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 30°–60° trunk flexion for 5–10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(11) Employees of an automobile assembly plant during 1984 and 1985 from four major production departments: body, paint, trim and chassis. For each worker one job was selected for videotaping and analysis. Most jobs were machine-paced and highly repetitive; the speed of the line throughout the plant was approximately 60 units per hour. Peak biomechanical forces on the spine were analysed for postures where a load weighing at least 10 lbs was held in the hands. Lateral bend or twist >20° for >10% of the work cyclePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(12) Moderate physical work, such as nurses, shop assistants, bakers and light-industry workers with a minimum of 10 years exposurePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(13) Employees of an automobile assembly plant during 1984 and 1985 from four major production departments: body, paint, trim and chassis. For each worker one job was selected for videotaping and analysis. Most jobs were machine-paced and highly repetitive; the speed of the line throughout the plant was approximately 60 units per hour. Peak biomechanical forces on the spine were analysed for postures where a load weighing at least 10 lbs was held in the hands. 20°–45° trunk flexion for >10% of the work cyclePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(14) Hospital workerPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(15) Warehouse workerPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(16) Employees of an automobile assembly plant during 1984 and 1985 from four major production departments: body, paint, trim and chassis. For each worker one job was selected for videotaping and analysis. Most jobs were machine-paced and highly repetitive; the speed of the line throughout the plant was approximately 60 units per hour. Peak biomechanical forces on the spine were analysed for postures where a load weighing at least 10 lbs was held in the hands. 0°–20° trunk flexion for >10% of the work cyclePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(17) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. <30° trunk flexion for >10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(18) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. <30° trunk flexion for ⩽5% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(19) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 1–15 lifts of ⩾25 kg per working dayPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(20) Employees of an automobile assembly plant during 1984 and 1985 from four major production departments: body, paint, trim and chassis. For each worker one job was selected for videotaping and analysis. Most jobs were machine-paced and highly repetitive; the speed of the line throughout the plant was approximately 60 units per hour. Peak biomechanical forces on the spine were analysed for postures where a load weighing at least 10 lbs was held in the hands. Lateral bend or twist >20° for 0–10% of the work cyclePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(21) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. >90° trunk flexion for ⩽5% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(22) Heavy physical work (blue-collar workers), such as carpenters, bricklayers and heavy-industry workers with a minimum of 10 years exposurePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(23) A population-based study of about 17 000 persons comprised all men and women of ages 10–59 years in the municipality and rural district of Norrtälje in central Sweden. Highly exposed in forward bending and manual materials handlingPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(24) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 60°–90° trunk flexion for >10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(25) Municipal office workers were non- executive office workers. About 40% of them performed clerical work with routine office tasks; others were professionals.Posture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(26) A population-based study of about 17 000 persons comprised all men and women of ages 10–59 years in the municipality and rural district of Norrtälje in central Sweden. Not highly exposed in forward bending and manual materials handlingPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(27) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. >90° trunk flexion for >10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(28) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 60°–90° trunk flexion for ⩽5% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(29) Construction carpenters were selected to represent dynamic physical work. They were skilled construction workers whose task is to build molds, scaffolds, walls, roofs, floors and other structures made of wood. A carpenter’s work is primarily dynamic muscular work with varying postures and loads, but it also includes tasks causing static loading on the musculoskeletal system.Posture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(30) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs, and caring professions were included in this study. Never lifting ⩾25 kg during the working dayPosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(31) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 30°–60° trunk flexion for >10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(32) Workers in blue-collar, white-collar jobs and caring professions were included in this study. 60°–90° trunk flexion for 5–10% of working timePosture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
(33) Machine operators comprised earthmover operators and longshoremen specialised in motorised stevedoring. Machine operators are exposed to low-frequency whole-body vibration and to static load due to prolonged sitting in a constrained posture and the handling of steering apparatus. Their work occasionally includes materials handling and maintenance of machines. The machine used most commonly by longshoremen is a forklift truck. Earthmover operators use heavier machinery, such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel-loaders, etc, in preparing the ground for buildings and in road construction.Posture
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Average:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Weight
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Total:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Spinal load
Peak:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Cumulative:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □
Confidence:1□2□3□4□5□6□7□NA □