ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the risk of biomechanical overload among childcare center staff. The analysis is complex, because exposure may differ significantly not only between different facilities but also within the same facility, in terms of shift duration, the number and ages of the children, as well as the furniture and furnishings. The Time-Based Assessment Computerized Strategy (TACOs) spreadsheet then summarizes how the various postures of the spine and lower limbs are distributed throughout the shift, which is very interesting for quickly singling out the highest risk postures. During meals, staff only have to supervise the children; therefore, the postures are described correctly as standing with the back straight alternating with walking. The TACOs method was applied by analyzing each individual task and assigning an intrinsic posture score to each one. The postural risk associated with each task identified during the working day is then analyzed.
