Ergonomic Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Aviation Maintenance

The aviation maintenance mechanic faces a multitude of occupational hazards each day due to the complex nature of the work they perform on aircrafts. The most common problem reported by aviation maintenance mechanics was work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Studies have shown that aviation maintenance mechanics suffer WMSDs, most often affecting the back, head, neck and lower extremities. The objective of this study is to assess the risk of WMSDs and propose innovative engineering control of ergonomic hazards associated with aviation maintenance work in a local aviation maintenance hanger. The ergonomic assessment tool used was the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). This ergonomic assessment tool uses a systematic process to evaluate whole body postural and risks associated with job tasks. Using the REBA worksheet, the evaluator assigns a score for each of the following body regions: wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck, trunk, back, legs, and knees. The scores for each of these body parts vary. The lower arm score can either be valued as a 1 or 2. The neck and wrist REBA score can range from 1 to 3. The legs are scored 1 to 4. The trunk is on a scale of 1 to 5 with the upper arm stretching as high as a score of 6. Although these scores have different boundaries, the lower they are, the better. Scoring a 1 in all these categories would ensure the workplace is ergonomically friendly and free of wide exposure to WMSDs. The assessment body region score was complied with the risk factor variables, (force/load score, coupling score and activity score) generating a single score that represents the risk level of WMSDs. This individual number tells the evaluator how urgent change is needed. After observing the aviation maintenance mechanics repairing an aircraft engine, an ergonomic risk assessment of the mechanic was conducted using the REBA tool. The final ergonomic assessment resulted in an average REBA score of 9, which represents the risk level of WMSDs. This score indicates that aviation mechanics are at a high risk of WMSDs. Interventions are recommended to reduce the risk of harm to aviation maintenance mechanics. Our study results show that aviation mechanics working at the assessed maintenance hanger are at high risk of WMSDs due to improper engineering controls. The aviation mechanics are subjected to musculoskeletal pain while working in awkward positions and repetitively repeating tasks with no ergonomic benefits. Implementing the recommended engineering controls that re-engineer work practices, processes, posture and body movement will reduce the potential risk of WMSDs. Utilizing ergo chairs, anti-fatigue mats, and ergonomically designed tools will improve the REBA score, resulting in low risk. The common theme of poor posture and lack of ergonomic friendly tasks throughout the worksite will be reduced to an acceptable level through ergonomic interventions.