NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Provisional recommended weight limits for manual lifting during pregnancy.

Authors
Waters TR; MacDonald LA; Hudock SD; Goddard DE
Source
Hum Factors 2014 Feb; 56(1):203-214
NIOSHTIC No.
20043108
Abstract
Objective: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Revised Lifting Equation (RNLE) was adapted to derive recommended weight limits (RWLs) for pregnant workers and to develop corresponding guidelines for clinicians. Background: In the past three decades there has been a large increase in the number of women employed outside the home and remaining in the workforce during pregnancy. Practical authoritative guidelines based on accumulated evidence are needed to inform allowable work activity levels for healthy pregnant workers. Method: Empirically based lifting criteria established by NIOSH to reduce the risk of overexertion injuries in the general U.S. working population were evaluated for application to pregnant workers. Our evaluation included an extensive review of the literature linking occupational lifting to maternal and fetal health. Decision logic and supporting literature are presented, along with computational details. Results: Provisional RWLs for pregnant workers were derived from the RNLE, along with guidelines for clinicians. The guidelines advise against pregnant workers lifting below midshin and overhead. Conclusion: Based on our review of the available evidence, we present lifting thresholds that most pregnant workers with uncomplicated pregnancies should be able to perform without increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal health consequences. Except for restrictions involving lifting from the floor and overhead, the provisional guidelines presented are compatible with NIOSH lifting recommendations adopted in the early 1990s for the general working population. Application: Implementation of these provisional guidelines could protect millions of female workers in the workplace from fetal and maternal lifting-related health problems.
Keywords
Human-factors-engineering; Manual-lifting; Manual-materials-handling; Women; Pregnancy; Physical-stress; Health-standards; Weight-factors; Physicians; Work-capacity; Injury-prevention; Musculoskeletal-system; Overloading; Decision-making; Work-practices; Safety-measures; Author Keywords: manual lifting; occupational hazard; pregnancy; recommendations
Contact
Stephen D. Hudock, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
CODEN
HUFAA6
Publication Date
20140201
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
sxh5@cdc.gov
Fiscal Year
2014
Identifying No.
M082013
Issue of Publication
1
ISSN
0018-7208
NIOSH Division
DART; DSHEFS
Priority Area
Wholesale and Retail Trade; Manufacturing
Source Name
Human Factors
State
OH; MD
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division