Analysis of Ergonomic Risk Levels in Manual Handling Activities Using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Lifting Equation Method with Upper Back Pain Complaints

Mahdang, Putri Ayuningtias
Maksum, Tri Septian

Buletin Penelitian Kesehatan
Vol. 53 No. 1 (2025)

Background: Upper back pain (UBP) is stiffness in the back that starts from the area behind the neck to the waist, which can cause pain. One type of work that is at risk is loading and unloading work. Loading and unloading workers at the port manually carry out their work with loads that exceed the limits recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Manual handling activities carried out continuously can risk causing complaints of pain in the upper back. This research aims to determine the recommended weight limit (RWL) and Lifting index (LI) values ​​on loading and unloading workers, as well as to analyze the Ergonomic Risk Level in manual handling Activities using the NIOSH Lifting Equation method with UBP complaints. Methods: This research employs an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. The research sample employed an exhaustive sampling technique, involving as many as 50 participants. Measurement of ergonomic risk used questionnaires and the NIOSH Lifting Equation. Data analyzed using Spearman correlation test. Results: Based on the calculation of Lifting Index (LI) value, most respondents work with a moderate risk level (1-<3), namely 33 respondents (66%) and assesment result of UBP complaints used a questionnaire showed that 19 respondents (38%) stated that they often experienced UBP complaints due to their work activities, 14 respondents (28%) stated that they always felt UBP complaints, and 3 respondents (6%) never experienced complaints. Spearman correlation test obtained ρ-value = 0.000 (<0.05) and r = 0.727. Conclusion: There is a relationship between the risks of manual handling work and complaints of upper back pain in loading and unloading workers (TKBM). This relationship is strong and positive (unidirectional), meaning that the higher the risk of manual handling work, the higher the complaints of upper back pain experienced. If the manual handling risk value can be reduced, workers can avoid the risk of complaints of upper back pain.