Questionaire results from 18 employees indicated that back pain&comfort was a common
musculoskeletal complaint, reported by 61% of respondents. Neck/shoulder pain, lower
extremity pain and hand/wrist pain were reported by 33, 33 and 11% of respondents,
respectively. Observation and analysis of work activities indicated that employees spend
significant periods of time kneeling, sitting on the floor, squatting, or bending at the waist.
Furthermore, staff members who work with smaller children (i.e. six weeks to 18 months of age)
performed more lifts and assumed more awkward lower extremity postures than employees who
work with older children (34 years of age). Analysis of two liig tasks using the revised
NIOSH Liffing equation indicated that employees who handle small children may be at increased
risk of lifting-related low back pain. Investigators concluded that day care employees at this
facility are at increased risk of low back pain and lower extremity (i.e. knee) injury due to work
activities that require awkward or heavy lii, and static working postures. Recommendations
for reducing or eliminating these risks by modifying the workplace and changing the
organization and methods of work are presented.