An exploration of musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare portering staff

This research addresses a lack of research into the role of the healthcare porter and their musculoskeletal health. The focus of health care research has historically been on clinical and medical staff such as Doctors, Nurses, Sonographers and Allied Health Professionals. These professions undertake little of the tasks, in terms of duration and intensity, that the porters do. In addition to this there did not appear to be a standardised job role for the healthcare porter. To address this, this research aimed to define the porters role, identify any existing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), exploring previous work history in relation to the start of their MSDs, what preventative measures were currently in place and what further actions could be taken.

The research incorporates evidence from a detailed literature review into MSDs in healthcare occupations and occupations that undertake tasks similar to porters; semi-structured interviews; observational studies (REBA, RULA, QEC and OWAS); and focus groups with subject matter experts and end users. It determines that, even within one health board, the porters’ role is diverse and that there are no two identical days.

The observations study identified that some tasks were undertaken more frequently than others or for longer duration and that some were higher risk from postures adopted. Of these tasks the waste and linen removal process was selected for further investigation due to the duration of the task and the repetitive manual handling. The task involved manual and semi-mechanised elements and traveling long distances by foot. Although some improvement in the task could be immediately identified by the researcher consultation with the porters, their supervisors and subject matter experts in both manual handling, and health and safety were arranged in the form of fucus groups. These were to determine possible interventions and barriers to their implementation. These were grouped into short term (<6 months to implement), Medium term (changes to existing buildings and >6months to implement) and finally long term (those incorporated into new builds). Although there were many mechanical options discussed there was also a real focus on education of others of the porters role as well as the porters supported.