Influence of coexposure to long working hours and ergonomic risk factors on musculoskeletal symptoms: an interaction analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study explores the interaction between ergonomic risk factors and long working hours on musculoskeletal symptoms by additive and multiplicative scales.DesignWe used the data of the fifth Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). The KWCS is a cross-sectional study.SettingTo represent the entire Korean working population, the probability proportion stratified cluster sampling method was used. The face-to-face interview was carried out with a structured questionnaire.Main outcomes and measuresTo assess the combined effect of ergonomic risk factors and long working hours on musculoskeletal symptoms, the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) and the ratio of ORs were calculated using multiple survey-weighted logistic analysis and postestimation commands.ResultsThe OR for musculoskeletal symptoms was 1.75 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.39) for exposure to long working hours, 3.49 (95% CI 3.06 to 3.99) for exposure to ergonomic risk factors and 5.07 (95% CI 4.33 to 5.93) for coexposure to long working hours and ergonomic risk factors. The RERI was 0.82 (95% CI 0.11 to 1.53) and the ratio of ORs was 0.83 (95% CI 0.50 to 1.14)ConclusionOur findings suggest that coexposure to both ergonomic risk factors and long working hours has a supra-additive interaction effect on musculoskeletal symptoms. Regulations on working hours and workplace interventions might reduce the musculoskeletal diseases of workers.

Sintomatología sentida y riesgo disergonómico en trabajadores de molinos de panela en Sandoná, Nariño

“…En complemento, Traslaviña et al (2021) en su estudio de identificación de riesgos en el área de producción de panela, encontraron que los trabajadores en esta labor tienen un gran riesgo de presentar molestias o dolores en espalda y pies, lo que se puede comparar a la vez con el trabajo de Martínez y Rojas (2020), quienes hallaron que la mayoría de la población refiere sintomatología músculo esquelética con mayor prevalencia en la región lumbar, lo que indica que el desempeño de labores propias dentro de un molino, afecta en mayor medida la columna lumbar, asociado al riesgo biomecánico de las posturas forzadas, el inadecuado manejo de cargas y el mantenimiento de posturas prolongadas en jornadas laborales (Zare et al, 2018). Por su parte, Park et al (2022) sugieren que la exposición conjunta a factores de riesgo ergonómicos y las largas horas de trabajo tienen un efecto que genera síntomas musculoesqueléticos, lo cual permite inferir que la actividad laboral en el sector panelero debido a sus características, aumenta la probabilidad de desarrollar sintomatología dolorosa, ya que el tipo de tareas que se realiza en este sector causa un trauma y una fricción irritante en el componente músculo esquelético del trabajador (Taieb et al, 2017).…”

Predictors of Satisfaction With Work Environment in the Context of a Mismatch in Working Hours: A Nationwide, Large-Scale, Cross-Sectional Study

“…30 The KWCS is a cross-sectional study that is regularly administered by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA). [31][32][33][34][35]…”