Back Compressive Force (BCF) assessment using UTAH method in manual handling tasks among workers of a chemical manufacturing company

Background: Job back pain is of the most common occupational injuries in the world that affects people's physical and mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess back compressive force (BCF) in manual handling tasks among workers of a chemical manufacturing company using the UTAH method. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on a group of 35 workers doing manual handling tasks in a chemical factory that were selected through simple random sampling in April and May 2018. The data collected by UTAH method and Cornell questionnaire, were analyzed in SPSS 19. Descriptive and inferential statistics methods including analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. Results: The average BCF value calculated using the UTAH method showed that the load pressure on back for the jobs of repair unit (400 kg), discharge and loading unit (460 kg), and warehouse unit (370 kg) exceeded the standard limits. Moreover, the results of the Cornell questionnaire indicated that 68 percent (N = 24) of the workers in the mentioned occupations were suffering from lower back pain. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the UTAH method is useful for estimating the BCF in manual handling tasks. Interventions should be conducted and measures should be taken to reduce these disorders.