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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-02-2016 | Original Article

Measured by the oxygen uptake in the field, the work of refuse collectors is particularly hard work: Are the limit values for physical endurance workload too low?

Authors: Alexandra M. Preisser, Linfei Zhou, Marcial Velasco Garrido, Volker Harth

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 2/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Collecting waste is regarded as a benchmark for “particularly heavy” work. This study aims to determine and compare the workload of refuse workers in the field. We examined heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake as parameters of workload during their daily work.

Methods

Sixty-five refuse collectors from three task-specific groups (residual and organic waste collection, and street sweeping) of the municipal sanitation department in Hamburg, Germany, were included. Performance was determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) under laboratory conditions. Additionally, the oxygen uptake (VO₂) and HR under field conditions (1-h morning shift) were recorded with a portable spiroergometry system and a pulse belt.

Results

There was a substantial correlation of both absolute HR and VO₂ during CPX [HR/VO₂ R 0.89 (SD 0.07)] as well as during field measurement [R 0.78 (0.19)]. Compared to reference limits for heavy work, 44 % of the total sample had shift values above 30 % heart rate reserve (HR_R); 34 % of the individuals had mean HR during work (HR_sh) values that were above the HR corresponding to 30 % of individual maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2,max). All individuals had a mean oxygen uptake (VO_2,1h) above 30 % of VO_2,max.

Conclusion

HR as well as the measurement of VO₂ can be valuable tools for investigating physiological workload, not only under laboratory conditions but also under normal working conditions in the field. Both in terms of absolute and relative HR and oxygen consumption, employment as a refuse collector should be classified in the upper range of defined heavy work. The limit of heavy work at about 33 % of the individual maximum load at continuous work should be reviewed.

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Title: Measured by the oxygen uptake in the field, the work of refuse collectors is particularly hard work: Are the limit values for physical endurance workload too low?
Authors: Alexandra M. Preisser
Linfei Zhou
Marcial Velasco Garrido
Volker Harth
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1064-8

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Measured by the oxygen uptake in the field, the work of refuse collectors is particularly hard work: Are the limit values for physical endurance workload too low?

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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