Individual, physical, and organizational risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among municipality solid waste collectors in Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

In Iran-Shiraz, municipal solid waste is collected manually requiring strenuous physical activities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and its associated risk factors. Two hundred male waste collectors participated in this cross-sectional study, in which task analysis followed by motion and timeline analysis were performed. The data were collected using demographic, occupation-specific physical and organizational demands, and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used for identifying independent risk factors for MSDs. Ten motions observed during waste collection, and the most physical and organizational demands were related to the running along with bag carriage, and the time pressure, respectively. About 39% and 36.5% of the workers reported very high physical and psychological workloads, respectively. Totally, 92.5% of waste collectors reported MSDs symptom at least in one body region during the last 12 months. Lower back and knee injuries were more prevalent and more severe. Some individual factors (age, body weight, and waste collecting duration), physical demands (lifting bag/bucket, pulling/pushing waste container, walking along with bag/bucket carriage, and jumping up/down on the garbage truck), and organizational demands (low vacation and high decision authority) were the most important risk factors for developing MSDs.

Occupational profile and exposure of solid waste collectors from a Brazilian municipality

“…The most prevalent and severe injuries were in the lower back and knee. Some individual factors such as age, body weight, and waste collecting duration, such as the physical demands (lifting bag/bucket, pushing waste container, walking while carrying bags, and climbing up to the garbage truck) and the organizational climate (few holidays and high decision) were the most important risk factors for developing musculoskeletal disorders (Ziaei, Choobineh, Abdoli-Eramaki, & Ghaem, 2018). Of the interviewees, 25.6% have already suffered an AW and 11.6% had accidents on their way to or from work.…”

Musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among waste collectors in Hanoi, Vietnam: A cross-sectional study.

“…MSDs are the leading cause of disability (2), result in impairing body function, affecting the workers' quality of life and reducing their working capability (3), which in turn will have significant economic ramifications for the workers (1). Although high prevalence of MSDs has been reported in various occupations (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), many employees with pain have to keep working for a living, hence continuously expose to specific occupational hazards which aggravate their pain conditions. Evidence on factors of persistent musculoskeletal pain is needed to develop effective prevention and control measures.…”

“…Waste collectors (WC) are particularly susceptible to work-related MSDs, especially in developing countries (8)(9)(10)17). With limited resources, inadequate work equipment and poor labor conditions, WCs collect municipal waste manually in daily routine.…”

“…With limited resources, inadequate work equipment and poor labor conditions, WCs collect municipal waste manually in daily routine. They frequently perform vigorously intense physical activities such as carrying, pushing, pulling or lifting heavy objects in long working hours (8)(9)(10). These harmful movements and postures inflict serious strain on workers' musculoskeletal system.…”

“…These harmful movements and postures inflict serious strain on workers' musculoskeletal system. (9,10) The collection process is mainly outdoor and on the street without access to adequate street shelters for temporary rest, WCs are directly affected by changes in climatic conditions such as temperature, humidity or, sunlight (8,9,18,19). Beside physical hazards of manual labor, WCs are also at high risk of psychological stress (20) which associate with the development of MSDs (21).…”