Postural analysis among field workers of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company using Ovako Working Analysis System (OWAS)

Date of Completion

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Posture, Occupational Groups, Telephone, Workplace

Abstract

This aim to determine the working posture of the field workers of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone using Ovaco Working Postural Analysis. The socio-demographic Profile, occupational profile, (number of working hours per day, duration of work per trouble and presence of musculoskeletal pain was also determined. The working postures for each of the task namely carrying a ladder, climbing up a ladder, aerial work, climbing down the ladder and fixing the ladder was determined according to their positions of the back, positions of the arms, positions of the legs and combination of the position of the back, arms and legs. The risk of each working posture and the remedial actions to be taken based on the categories of risk were also idnetified. A total of twenty (20) field workers from PLDT were included in the study. The results of the study revealed that the PLDT field workers are likely to develop musculoskeletal problems based on their posture while doing their tasks at work. In carrying a ladder, the field workers have a straight back, with both arms above shoulders and standing on the two legs; in climbing up a ladder, they had a bent back with one arm above shoulder and standing on one bent knee; in doing aerial work, they had bent back with both arms below shoulder and standing on two legs; in climbing down the stairs, they had a bent back with one arm above shoulder and standing on one bent knee and in fixing the ladder, they had a straight back with both arms above shoulder and standing on two legs. In conclusion, PLDT field workers in Malate, Manila assume a bad posture and most of them exhibit position with possibility of causing damage to musculoskeletal system and this requires remedial actions in the future. The researchers then recommend that more seminars must be conducted for the PLDT field workers to educate them about having a good posture and correct body mechanics while doing their job thereby avoiding and minimizing the risks of having bad posture.

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