Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities: The use of epidemiologic approaches in industrial settings (original) (raw)
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Assessment of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Manufacturing Industry
Journal of Ergonomics, 2018
Results of study show that experience workers having more reported pain in upper body parts due to poor work station design. This study is focused on measuring the Risks for WMSDs (Work related musculoskeletal disorders) among workers in a manufacturing company, by applying ergonomic tools like QEC (quick exposure checklist), RULA (rapid upper limb assessment) scores and Nordic questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted among workers aged between 18 to 45 years with a total number of 48 workers selected through random sampling with in the duration of 12 weeks. Validated version of QEC, RULA score sheet and Nordic questionnaire was used to measure the risk level and number of reported pain in body parts among workers. The results showed that the mean score of QEC and RULA was 73.6 and 4.6 respectively. However, results showed that experienced workers reported more pain in different body parts, indicating more chances of WMSDs among them. 79% workers of total sample had reported pain in different parts of body according to Nordic questionnaire, out of which 86% workers had pain in upper part and 14% had pain in lower part of the body that was also verified from QEC and RULA score sheet.
A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: predictors of upper extremity …
Journal of Occupational …
Upper extremity tendonitis (UET) associated with work activity is common but the true incidence and risk factors can best be determined by a prospective cohort study. This study followed a cohort of 501 active workers for an average of 5.4 years. Incident cases were defined as workers who were asymptomatic at baseline testing and had no prior history of UET and went on to be diagnosed with an UET during the follow-up period or at the followup evaluation. The incident cases were compared to the subset of the cohort who also had no history of an UET and did not develop tendonitis during the study. The cumulative incidence in this cohort was 24.3% or 4.5% annually. The factors found to have the highest predictive value for identifying a person who is likely to develop an UET in the near future included age over 40, a BMI over 30, a complaint at baseline of a shoulder or neck discomfort, a history of CTS and a job with a higher shoulder posture rating. The risk profile identifies both ergonomic and personal health factors as risks and both categories of factors may be amenable to prevention strategies.
Objective: Identify the presence of ergonomic risk factors and their relationship with upper limb musculoskeletal discomfort in workers in the packaging area of a food processing company in Guadalajara. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional, comparative study in 39 workers who pack sausages, 21 in the T1 machine and 18 in the M2. The hypothesis raised is that there is a greater ergonomic risk and repercussion on the health of the workers of the T1 machine compared to the M2 machine. Those who were 3 months old were included and those who had another job were excluded. The data was obtained by a sociodemographic data questionnaire and labor items, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire and the Job Strain Index (JSI). Results: 69% of the participants were men and 31% women. When evaluating repetitive movements with the Work Tension Index method, results were found outside safe ranges, being higher in T1. 42.8% of workers affected 40% of disability, being higher among T1 operators (P = 0.038). 31% reported moderate to very painful discomfort. Conclusion: The hypothesis was verified by finding the relationship between upper limb disability in T1 machine operators (P 0.0294).
Musculoskeletal symptoms in workers
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE, 2008
Self-report measures of musculoskeletal discomfort are a widely used and generally accepted risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders in epidemiologic research. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in packing workers. A cross-sectional study of 75 workers was carried out using a modified Nordic questionnaire. Prevalence was determined with the percentage of positive responses to questions on musculoskeletal symptoms. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were the measures of association between prevalent musculoskeletal symptoms and demographic factors; they were determined with logistic regression. Most musculoskeletal symptoms in workers were from the low back (44.0%), shoulders (33.3%) and neck (32.0%). Years worked were strongly significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and pain in the neck, shoulders and wrists/hands, P < .001-.050. Hazards related to repetitive movements and discomfort postures could be reduced ...
Human Factors the Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2014
To better characterize associations between physical risk factors and upper-extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders, a prospective epidemiologic study of 386 manufacturing workers was performed. Background: Methodological limitations of previous studies have resulted in inconsistent associations. Method: An individual, task-based exposure assessment strategy was used to assess upper-extremity exertion intensity, repetition, and time-in-posture categories. Participants recorded time spent performing daily work tasks on a preprinted log, which was then used to calculate time-weightedaverage exposures across each week of follow-up. In addition, a weekly Strain Index (SI) risk category was assigned to each participant. Incident musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders were assessed weekly. Proportional hazards analyses were used to examine associations between exposure measures and incident hand/arm and neck/shoulder symptoms and disorders. Results: Incident symptoms and disorders were common (incident hand/arm symptoms = 58/100 person-years (PY), incident hand/arm disorders = 19/100 PY, incident neck/shoulder symptoms = 54/100 PY, incident neck/shoulder disorders = 14/100 PY). Few associations between separate estimates of physical exposure and hand/arm and neck/shoulder outcomes were observed. However, associations were observed between dichotomized SI risk category and incident hand/arm symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.99, 3.04]) and disorders (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = [0.85, 4.40]). Conclusion: Evidence of associations between physical risk factors and musculoskeletal outcome was strongest when exposure was estimated with the SI, in comparison to other metrics of exposure. Application: The results of this study provide evidence that physical exposures in the workplace contribute to musculoskeletal disorder incidence. Musculoskeletal disorder prevention efforts should include mitigation of these occupational risk factors.
Epidemiologic surveillance of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders in the working population
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2006
Objective. Since 2002, an epidemiologic surveillance system of work-related, upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been implemented in France's Pays de la Loire region to assess the prevalence of MSDs and their risk factors in the working population. Methods. The surveillance was based on a network of occupational physicians (OPs) and used the recommendations of a group of European experts (criteria document consensus). In 2002-2003, 80 of 400 OPs volunteered to participate. All underwent a training program to standardize the physical examination. Health status was assessed by self-administered questionnaire and physical examination. Occupational risk factors were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Exposure scores were computed for each anatomic zone by summing the risk factors taken into account by the criteria document. Results. More than 50% of the 2,685 men and women randomly included in 2002-2003 experienced nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms during the preceeding 12 months and ϳ30% experienced them in the preceeding week. The prevalence of clinically diagnosed MSDs was high: ϳ13% of workers experienced at least 1 of the MSDs. The most frequent disorder was rotator cuff syndrome followed by carpal tunnel syndrome and lateral epicondylitis. The prevalence of MSDs increased with age and varied widely across economic sectors and occupations. More than half of the workers were exposed to at least 2 risk factors of MSDs. Exposure varied according to industrial activity and occupation. According to the criteria document, a high percentage of MSD cases could be classified as probably work related (95% in men and 89% in women age <50, and 87% in men and 69% in women age >50).
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Workers in a Medical Manufacturing Facility
International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, 2021
Medical manufacturing has shown great growth potential in Malaysia, and this sector has created numerous jobs for both local and foreign workers. The workers involved in this industry are exposed to ergonomic risk factors, which lead to discomfort in different body parts. Despite the numerous studies on occupational hazards and the prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), little is known about the prevalence of WMSDs for workers working in the medical manufacturing facility, especially in Malaysia. Thus, the main objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of WMSDs among workers in the selected medical manufacturing industry in Malaysia. Structured interviews using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) were conducted among 10 male workers (mean age of 44 ± 10.83 years, age range of 24–55 years, and working experience range of <1–27 years). The results indicate that the workers experienced the highest discomfort in three body parts;...
Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2014
Objective: To better characterize associations between physical risk factors and upper-extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders, a prospective epidemiologic study of 386 manufacturing workers was performed. Background: Methodological limitations of previous studies have resulted in inconsistent associations. Method: An individual, task-based exposure assessment strategy was used to assess upper-extremity exertion intensity, repetition, and time-in-posture categories. Participants recorded time spent performing daily work tasks on a preprinted log, which was then used to calculate time-weighted-average exposures across each week of follow-up. In addition, a weekly Strain Index (SI) risk category was assigned to each participant. Incident musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders were assessed weekly. Proportional hazards analyses were used to examine associations between exposure measures and incident hand/arm and neck/shoulder symptoms and disorders. Results: Incident symptoms ...
Risk factors for upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders in the working population
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2009
Objective The study aimed to assess the relative importance of personal and occupational risk factors for upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) in the working population. Methods A total of 3,710 workers (58 of men) participating in a surveillance program of MSDs in a French region in 2002 2005 were %-= 1.4, P 0.042). = Conclusion The study showed that personal and work-related physical and psychosocial factors were strongly associated with clinically-diagnosed UEMSDs.
International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health, 2017
overnight rest. These types of jobs are often those involving activities such as repetitive and forceful exertions; frequent, heavy, or overhead lifts; awkward work positions; or use of vibrating equipment. [1] One of the most prevalent types of work-related injuries is musculoskeletal disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) result in persistent pain, loss of functional capacity, and work disability, but their initial diagnosis is difficult because they are mainly based on complaints of pain and other symptoms. [2] Therefore, further studies are needed to analyze the association between subjective descriptions and objective findings. [3] The traumatic injuries of the muscles, tendons, and nerves due to accidents are not considered to be WRMDs or are considered separately. Work activities which are Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tension neck syndrome are examples. Fascination with technology, overly ambitious business expectation, and neglected human factor risks can have serious effects on manufacturers, suppliers, and service enterprises. As India is one of the largest and growing hubs in the world of manufacture industry, there is a great need to identify such problem. In this study, we identified such problems and discussed it. Objectives: The aim of this study is to gather data to identify jobs or work conditions that are most problematic, using sources such as injury and illness logs, medical records, and job analyses. Materials and Methods: Data collection was done by personal interview, history and physical examinations, specific symptoms questionnaire, and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) survey for WRMDs. Results: In our study, we found that prevalence of neck pain was highest followed by back pain in general. Most participants had complained that pain only aggravated when they continue work without taking rest. On examination, the presence of cervical spine tenderness was highest, followed by hand joints and lumbar spine tenderness. In admin and skilled participants, RULA score was up to 4 (satisfactory and modification required), but in unskilled participants, RULA was up to 7 (not satisfactory and immediate changes may require). Conclusion: Work activities which are frequent and repetitive or activities with awkward postures cause these disorders which may be painful during work or at rest. Most WRMD affects the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, and shoulders.