INSIGHTS & RESEARCH
Back and shoulder injuries related to the actions of lifting and emptying of waste receptacle are among the leading injuries reported by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Over 2 million people within the United States work in the janitorial industry. This study investigated the biomechanics of the emptying action for three different receptacles — the REV360 receptacle and two traditional receptacles.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
RESEARCH TEAM
This research was sponsored by REV360, but independently conducted by the Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory at the University of Minnesota.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Specifically, for the hip, lower back, shoulder and wrist the study evaluated: 1) the joint angles, 2) the joint reaction forces, 3) the joint torques and 4) the muscle activity of the back and shoulder muscles generated during the removal of weighted trash liners.
METHODOLOGY
This exploratory study recruited six participants from the facilities management industry with substantial work experience, emptying, on average, 22 receptacles per work day. Participants confirmed that the liner weights used in the study were comparable to those they experience “on the job” indicating that any study results reflect typical work requirements.
KEY FINDINGS
The main findings of the study reveal that when compared to a traditional 32-gallon waste receptacle, the emptying of trash liners from the REV360 waste receptacle:
- was associated with significant reductions (up to 64%) in shoulder and lower back muscle activity
- was associated with significant reductions (~ 60-80%) in the necessary shoulder torques for lifting
- was associated with reductions (~ 18%) in the necessary hip torques for lifting and trunk stabilization
- was not associated with characteristic changes in the joint reaction forces
It can be concluded that the REV360 design has the potential to reduce shoulder and low back injury and to promote a healthy work place for janitorial workers.
The data indicate that irrespective of the weight to be lifted, the REV360 design required less vertical lifting action than the 32-gallon receptacle.
“[REV360] is a smart, well thought out, common sense approach to solving a very common lifting injury. No one wins when a valued employee is injured and I believe [REV360] offers the first innovative response to one of the major causes of back issues within the janitorial services industry. ”
– Lyall Smith, Physical Plant Consultant, Director of Property Services, Burlington School District
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 21,100 nonfatal injuries involving days away from work in private industry for janitors and cleaners in 2020. Nearly 20% of those injuries were related to containers and worker motion or position.
REV360 can make your workplace safer.
