Lihastyö

Lihastyö is a Finnish term used in occupational health and safety to describe work that requires substantial muscular effort. It refers to tasks that place high demand on the muscles and the cardiovascular system, such as heavy lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads, repetitive forceful tool use, or maintaining awkward postures for extended periods.

Common sectors where lihastyö occurs include construction, warehousing, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics, though it can arise in any occupation that involves manual handling of loads or bursts of intense physical activity. Characteristics often include high peak muscle force, repetitive or intermittent exertions, and involvement of areas such as the back, shoulders, and legs. Exposure to lihastyö is associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, and longer-term injuries, especially when combined with awkward postures, vibration, or extreme temperatures.

Risk assessment for lihastyö typically considers factors such as the magnitude of force, repetition, duration, posture, and environmental conditions. Mitigation strategies focus on reducing muscular demand and improving safety through engineering controls (lifting aids, conveyors, material-handling equipment), administrative controls (job rotation, scheduled rest breaks), and sound work practices (proper lifting technique, ergonomic tool design). Personal protective equipment may be used where appropriate.

Understanding lihastyö is important for preventing injury, ensuring worker well-being, and complying with occupational safety regulations. While some level of muscular effort is unavoidable in certain roles, the overarching goal is to minimize the physical load without compromising productivity.