Posture and lifting exposures for daycare workers

• Workers adopted flexed postures of greater than 55° for 10% of the collection time.
• Workers experienced average peak spine compressive forces of 3479 N.
• Infant and toddler workers exhibited highest flexion angles and lifting frequencies.
• Toddler caregivers lifted the highest total weight compared to infant and preschool.
• Daycare workers are at an elevated risk for low back injury.

Daycare employees, specifically caregivers, are a distinct population that may experience increased risk of injury due to the high exposure to bent postures, lifting conditions and high stress associated with their work. The objectives of the study were to collect up to date data on daycare workers and to compare the data between groups working with children of different ages (Infant, Toddler and Preschool). The study consisted of two distinct phases: Phase 1 – Questionnaire distribution, Phase 2 – Observation and analysis involving three dimensional postural monitoring and video recording as well as an analysis of the low back forces and moments in lifting. Phase 1: Consisted of the distribution of questionnaires to all employees in each of the participating daycares (n = 73). Of the 73 questionnaires distributed 32 responses were obtained (44%). Of the 32 employees who completed the questionnaires, 19 caregivers volunteered to participate in Phase 2 of the study. An additional 5 caregivers participated in phase 2 of the study, but did not complete any questionnaires. The questionnaires indicated 81% of the workers have experienced low back pain. Phase 2: Observational data were collected on site in five local daycares, throughout the first half of each subject's shift (∼3.5 h). Caregivers from each of the three classroom age groups were recruited for participation in the direct observation (Infant: n = 7, Toddler: n = 7, Preschool: n = 8). Posture analysis revealed that on average, workers adopted trunk flexion angles greater than 55°, for 10% of the collection time, and greater than 70°, for 5% of the collection time. These postures correspond to both moderate and severe flexed postures respectively. The lifting analysis (completed using the data recorded in phase 2) revealed that workers lifted with frequencies of 0.25 lifts/minute, lifted a total weight of 501 kg (over 3.3 h) and experienced average compression and shear forces of 3323 N and 371 N, respectively. A between-group comparison showed that when compared to the Preschool group, the Infant (p = 0.008) and Toddler (p = 0.001) groups demonstrated higher relative flexed postures and lifting frequencies, and the Toddler group (p = 0.023) demonstrated higher total weight lifted. Results suggested that these employees experience an elevated risk of low back injury caused by their occupational tasks and thus, further research is required to determine appropriate worker accommodations and safe work practices to help mediate these risks for all daycare caregivers.Relevance to industryIt is thought that the results from this study could lead to the development of safe working and job sharing guidelines for daycare workers.