Comparative assessment of manual load lifting tasks in three methods: KIM-LHC, WISHA and SNOOK tables: Case study in printing industry

Background: today, musculoskeletal disorders are considered as a serious threat for workers, and one of the main activities, which leads to these problems, is lifting tasks. Moreover, workers in printing industry are widely involved in inappropriate postures and lifting loads. The aim of this study was to compare the results of assessment of lifting tasks with KIM-LHC, WISHA and Snook tables in printing industry. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total number of 58 employees (64 tasks in total) from a printing industry staffs in Tehran have evaluated with three observational methods of KIM-LHC, WISHA and Snook tables, along with all the final privileges and necessary actions level have determined for them. Furthermore, statistical data have analyzed with SPSS.22 software and utilization of Chi-square and Fisher tests. Results: Results showed that the prevalence of lower limbs’ musculoskeletal discomforts were high. Comparing the results of load lifting assessment with WISHA and KIM-LHC methods showed that there is a significant relationship between these two methods (p=005/0). Moreover, there is a significant relationship between the results of assessment through the WISHA and Snook tables methods (p=0.006), and finally the comparison of load lifting assessment results with KIM-LHC and Snook tables showed a significant relationship between these two methods (p=0.046). Conclusion: According the results of this study, there is a high correlation between the results of these three methods, and they can be used as an alternative in printing industry for the load lifting task assessment.