Musculoskeletal Problems among Workers of an Iranian Rubber Factory

Abstract

Musculoskeletal Problems amongWorkers of an Iranian Rubber Factory: Alireza CHOOBINEH, et al. Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran-Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common health problem throughout the world and a major cause of disability among the work force. Assessment of exposure level to MSD risk factors can be an appropriate base for planning and implementing interventional ergonomic programs in the workplace. This study was conducted among workers of an Iranian rubber factory with the objectives of (a) determination of the prevalence of MSDs among production line workers, and (b) assessment of the level of exposure to MSD risks. In this study, all 16 production units of the factory were studied. In each unit, 50% of the workers were randomly selected and included in the study. A total of 454 workers participated. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to study the prevalence of MSDs and the Quick Exposure Check (QEC) technique was applied to assess physical exposure to the risks. The videotaping technique was used to collect the required data for each worker. The vast majority of the workers (73.6%) had suffered from some kind of musculoskeletal symptoms during the last 12 months. The highest prevalence was reported in the lower back (50.2%), knees (48.5%) and upper back (38.1%). In 85.5% of the workers studied, the QEC score was high or very high. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between the QEC level of risk and MSDs symptoms (p<0.001). The most common ergonomics problems were found to be awkward postures and manual material handling. MSDs had occurred with a high rate among workers of this rubber factory. Corrective measures for reducing risk level seemed essential. Elimination of awkward postures Field Studyand manual material handling in the workplace were recommended. (J Occup Health 2007; 49: 418-423)

The Prevalence Rate of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Iranian Female Workers

“…The risk of lower back pain among female workers with job tenure > 10 years and married workers was higher as compared to those workers with job tenure ≤ 10 years and single workers with OR = 1.41 and OR = 1.27, respectively. This is in accordance with the findings of other studies (9,25,26). Daily working hours was a significant factor for shoulder and knee problems.…”

An Ergonomics Approach towards Efficient and Productive Maintenance of Fluidized Bed Heat Exchangers (FBHEs) (Morupule B Power Station)

“…There is more evidence of the relationship between sick leave and pain affecting hands/wrist and lower/upper back meaning that the employees are mostly disturbed from their normal duties because of the pains associated with these body parts mostly caused by using the hand tools and bending the whole day at work. Due to the nature and manner in which the job is exhibited, the findings therefore agree with previous studies that report the prevalence of MSDs in working populations around the world being between 61% to 86% [1][2][3][4]. The high prevalence of pain was noted across all age and the magnitude of disorder increases as the employee stays longer at the work area.…”

“…MSDs account to more than 30% of workers compensation and 50% workers direct compensation costs [1]. Most of the research have revelled the vast effects of repeated activities such as the ones discovered at Morupule B power plant of digging and hammering the solidified ash on the heating surfaces to be the major contributing factors of MSDs [2].…”

Applications of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire: A Review

“…Choobineh et al [121] evaluated workers in a rubber factory in Iran and detected problems of the back and knees, associated with handling loads and with awkward postures. Ghomari et al [127] evaluated the MSD in workers of the industrial sector in western Algeria.…”