[pt] A dissertação apresenta um estudo das posturas assumidas pelas merendeiras escolares de Nova Iguaçu e São Gonçalo durante seu trabalho conseqüência do design dos equipamentos e utensílios utilizados da organização do trabalho. Tem como objetivo contribuir à melhoria da qualidade de vida e trabalho destas merendeiras escolares. Estas trabalhadoras produzem, principalmente, refeições coletivas paras escolares da rede pública de ensino e são, em sua maioria, mulheres. A pesquisa compreendeu a analise da tarefa com fotografias e filmagens em vídeo. Procedeu-se a uma analise, auxiliada pelo método de avaliação de desconforto postural, dos resultados obtidos nas entrevistas com as trabalhadoras. Este método solicitou que as trabalhadoras indicassem onde ocorria alguma dor ou desconforto em seu corpo após a tarefa executada. Para validar os resultados obtidos na pesquisa buscaram-se três métodos que permitem a comprovação de posturas inadequadas e constrangimentos físicos: O Método OWAS, o RULA e o Método de Avaliação Postural de Guelaud. Os resultados obtidos comprovam que as condições de trabalho das merendeiras escolares causam constrangimentos físicos e podem ocasionar disfunções osteomusculares. Acreditamos que uma prática de prevenção destas DORT deve ser iniciada no ambiente de trabalho das merendeiras escolares para garantir uma melhoria das condições de trabalho destas. Para tanto recomendam-se melhoria dos equipamentos dos seus critérios de seleção e da organização do trabalho. / [en] The dissertation presents a study of the postures assumed by the school lunch-cooks of New Iguaçu and São Gonçalo during their work consequence of the lack design of the equipments and utensils used at work. It has as objective to contribute to improvements in life`s quality at work of these school lunch-cooks. These workers produce, mainly, collective meals for school of the public net. They are mainly women. The research developed it analyzes of the task with pictures and video. The one was proceeded analyzes, aided by the method of evaluation of discomfort postural, of the results obtained in the interviews with the workers. This method requested that the worker indicated where it happened some pain or discomfort in her body after the executed task. To validate the results obtained in the research three methods were looked for that allow the proof of inadequate postures and physical embarrassments: OWAS, RULA and the Method of Guelaud. The obtained results prove that the conditions of work of the school lunch-cooks cause physical embarrassments and they can cause dysfunctions. We believed that a practice of prevention of these MSDW should be initiates in the environment of work to guarantee an improvement in health to these workers For so much we recommend improvement of the equipments of their selection criteria and of the organization of the work.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic and Somatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa. 2017. / Background The growing popularity and competitive nature of the beauty industry has resulted in beauty therapists performing an extensive range of treatments to meet the demand, often at the jeopardy of their own well-being. Treatments include massage, waxing, pedicures and facials. These techniques involve vigorous and repetitive movements that may lead to overuse and strain on the musculoskeletal system, resulting in injury. Work-related activities together with factors such as socio-demographic, psychosocial, environmental and anthropometric can influence the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). There has been little investigation into the WRMDs of beauty therapists both locally and internationally. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, selected risk factors and impact of self-reported work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in beauty therapists working within the hotel spa industry in the eThekwini municipality. Method A cross sectional epidemiological design was used to survey 254 beauty therapists working in the hotel spa industry in the eThekwini municipality of Durban. A pre-validated questionnaire was hand delivered to beauty therapists working at all hotel spas that agreed to participate. Informed consent was obtained. The survey contained questions related to musculoskeletal pain, socio-demographic, psycho-social, lifestyle and occupational factors. Results A response rate of 70% was obtained (n=178). The majority of the respondents were female (94.3%; n=165), the mean age of the respondents was 27.74 (SD±4.83) years. The respondents had been working as beauty therapists for an average of 5.91 (SD±4.19; n=176) years and performed on average 27.89 (SD±13.33; n=170) treatments per week, working 47.38 (SD±13.36; n=175) hours per week. Those working overtime worked on average 5.43 (SD±2.94; n=59) hours of overtime per week. There was a high rate of reported WRMDs with the lifetime, current and 12 month period prevalence being 86% (n=153), 85% (n=151) and 83% (n=148), respectively. The area most affected were the low back followed by the neck, the hand and wrist. Ninety percent of the respondents indicated that their pain was mild to moderate in nature, with half expressing an inability to cope with the pain, and 78% reporting that it interfered with their ability to work. Mental exhaustion (p=0.032), suffering from a concomitant co-morbidity (p=0.031), years worked as a beauty therapist (p˂0.001) and treating clients after hours (p=0.007) were significantly associated with the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Performing manual massage (p=0.043) and reporting feelings of exhaustion whilst performing specialised massage techniques (p=0.014) and applying makeup/eyelashes (p=0.022) were associated with the presence of WRMDs. Those who reported having co-worker (p=0.006) and managerial support (p˂0.001) were less likely to experience musculoskeletal pain. In contrast, feeling frustrated by work (p=0.007), being under pressure (p=0.005) and over worked (p=0.009) increased the chances of experiencing WRMDs. Working with the back in an awkward position (p˂0.001), standing for prolonged periods (p˂0.001), lifting heavy loads (p=0.019) and working in a hot and humid environment (p<0.001) increased the risk of WRMDs. Conclusion WRMDs have a significant impact on beauty therapists’ ability to work. Effective strategies to prevent and manage WRMDs in hotel spa beauty therapists is required, along with governmental regulation. / M