The ACGIH TLV for lifting: Estimated TLVs for torso asymmetry beyond 30 degrees

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Authors
Jorgensen, Michael J.
Hafez, Khaled A.
Hakansson, Nils A.
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Issue Date
2024-09-11
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Article
Keywords
ACGIH TLV for lifting , LBD risk model , manual materials handling , NIOSH lifting equation , torso asymmetry
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Jorgensen, Michael J., Hafez, Khaled, and Hakansson, Nils A. ‘The ACGIH TLV for Lifting: Estimated TLVs for Torso Asymmetry Beyond 30 Degrees’. 1 Jan. 2024 : 253 – 266.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Lifting is a manual material handling (MMH) assessment method to identify weight limits that nearly all workers may be exposed to without developing work-related low back disorders (LBD). However, this assessment method only applies to lifting with the torso within 30° asymmetry of the sagittal plane. OBJECTIVE: Estimate TLV weight limits while lifting with torso asymmetry greater than 30° beyond the sagittal plane. METHODS: Lifting tasks were performed from various horizontal and vertical locations, at torso asymmetry angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°, using ACGIH identified TLVs. Validated MMH assessment methods (NIOSH Lifting Equation, Ohio State University LBD Risk Model) were utilized to estimate TLVs at torso asymmetries greater than 30°. RESULTS: The current ACGIH TLVs resulted in low- to moderate-risk risk levels for torso asymmetries from 0° to 30°, and the risk incrementally increased as torso asymmetry increased to 90°. With the intention to keep the risk levels to that found at 30° torso asymmetry, lower TLV weight limits in the vertical and horizontal zones investigated were estimated for torso asymmetries from 45° to 90°. The resulting adjusted TLVs were consistent with weight limits identified for similar lifting conditions from other assessment methods that account for torso asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: This research found current ACGIH-defined TLVs possess less than high-risk for LBD, and provided guidance to practitioners for reduced TLVs when torso asymmetry is greater than 30° from the sagittal plane.

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1875-9270
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