Musculoskeletal Disorders: Work-related Risk Factors and Prevention (original) (raw)
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The Prevalence, Causes and Prevention of Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders
Global Academic Journal of Medical Sciences, 2022
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are collectively referring to an array of conditions affecting the human locomotor system, such as muscles, nerves, joints, tendons and spinal discs. MSDs related to work are called occupational MSDs and are typically caused by physical factors consisting of repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, awkward positions, vibration due to use of vibrational tools and prolonged staying in the same positions. These physical factors are often complicated by psychosocial factors comprising job demand, job control, social support, job satisfaction, job security, work arrangement, etc. which can aggravate the biomechanical loading imposed by physical factors, thus resulting in more severe outcomes. Besides, individual factors such as health conditions, age, education level and medical history could lead to highly variable physiological responses and internal tolerances, hence outcomes. As the physical and psychosocial risk factors vary widely in different workplaces, the prevalence of MSDs tends to vary with sectors, occupations and even regions. Generally, healthcare sector has been reported to have relatively high occupational MSDs cases in multiple nations. To prevent occupational MSDs, priority should be given to elimination of the associated risks through job and workplace designs and management. Where elimination is not practical, the risks could be reduced through modification of workplace layout, work environment, work systems and tools as well as the use of mechanical aids. Provision of information, instruction and training, and other administrative controls such as job rotation which do not target at reducing the risks would have lower priority and should be used together with other control measures of higher priority.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2021
Background. Vehicle repair work is one of the highest risk professions for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Globally, only a few published studies have examined the prevalence and determinants of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle repair workers. Related studies in Ethiopia are even fewer. is study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-reported workrelated musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among vehicle repair workers in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 344 vehicle repair workers in the Hawassa city. e Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire-Extended (NMQ-E) was used to assess work-related musculoskeletal disorders on nine body regions. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were used to characterize the data and identify factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Result. e twelve-month prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among this working group was 47.7% with 95% CI (42.7-53.2). Jobs continuously requiring repetitive motions (AOR: 4.29, 95% CI (1.78-10.2)), not having professional training (AOR: 2.04, 95% CI (1.09-3.81)), force exertion when using tools (AOR: 2.40, 95% CI (1.24-4.62)), job stress (AOR:4.54, 95% CI (2.44-8.46)), and regularly lifting, pushing, and pulling loads greater than 20 kg (AOR:4.85, 95% CI (2.65-8.87)) were identified as associated factors. Conclusion. is study showed a 47.7% prevalence of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. Force exertion, repetitive tasks, manual handling of heavy loads, stress, and lack of training were the identified factors. Ergonomic awareness among workers should be increased through training. In addition, owners should investigate methods to reduce or eliminate risk factors leading to musculoskeletal disorders found among these workers. Automation of high-risk tasks should also be investigated.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: design as a prevention strategy. A review
Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 2001
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are of serious concern to many organizations, including industry, insurance, and health care. They are also of immediate concern to the workers and their families who are adversely affected by these disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a substantial source of economic drain to these organizations. Sources of this drain include economic losses incurred from lost or decreased productivity as well as medical treatment and indemnity costs. Therefore, it is within the best interest of these organizations to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders from occurring, before they manifest into serious issues of medical, social, and economic concern. The purpose of this paper is to review the concept of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and discuss the basis of their prevention as a primary means of occupational injury and illness management. The principal contributory role of ergonomics/human factors is presented as a viable m...
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2012
The underlying purpose of this commentary and position paper is to achieve evidence-based recommendations on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Such prevention can take different forms (primary, secondary and tertiary), occur at different levels (i.e. in a clinical setting, at the workplace, at national level) and involve several types of activities. Members of the Scientific Committee (SC) on MSDs of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and other interested scientists and members of the public recently discussed the scientific and clinical future of prevention of (work-related) MSDs during five round-table sessions at two ICOH conferences (in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2009, and in Angers, France, in 2010). Approximately 50 researchers participated in each of the sessions. More specifically, the sessions aimed to discuss new developments since 1996 in measures and classification systems used both in research and in practice, and agree on future needs in the field. The discussion focused on three questions: At what degree of severity does musculoskeletal ill health, and do health problems related to MSDs, in an individual worker or in a group of workers justify preventive action in occupational health? What reliable and valid instruments do we have in research to distinguish 'normal musculoskeletal symptoms' from 'serious musculoskeletal symptoms' in workers? What measures or classification system of musculoskeletal health will we need in the near future to address musculoskeletal health and related work ability? Four new, agreed-upon statements were extrapolated from the discussions: 1. Musculoskeletal discomfort that is at risk of worsening with work activities, and that affects work ability or quality of life, needs to be identified. 2. We need to know our options of actions before identifying workers at risk (providing evidence-based medicine and applying the principle of best practice). 3. Classification systems and measures must include aspects such as the severity, frequency, and intensity of pain, as well as measures of impairment of functioning, which can help in prevention, treatment and prognosis. 4. We need to be aware of economic and/or socio-cultural consequences of classification systems and measures.
Musculoskeletal Disorders, Workplace Ergonomics and Injury Prevention
IntechOpen eBooks, 2023
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) affect body parts, with severity ranging from mild to intense. When MSDs develop in occupational settings, sequel to the physical tasks involved in the performance of work and the condition of the work-environment, they are referred to as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The development and prognosis of any particular MSDs are modified by multiple risk factors, which are physical, individual, and psychosocial, in nature. None of these factors act separately to cause WMSDs, rather, they interact. The goal of ergonomics is to create an ergonomically sound work-environment, with the view to reducing the occurrence of WMSDs. This is premised on adherence to effective workplace ergonomic principles (WEP). By and large, WEP is more effective when done both at the workplace and during the performance of leisure time activities. Often, WEP involves designing the workplace, with consideration for the capabilities and limitations of the workers, thus promoting good musculoskeletal health, and improving performance and productivity. For favorable outcomes, a three-tier hierarchy of controls (Engineering, Administrative, and use of Personal Protective Equipment) is widely accepted as a standard intervention strategy for reducing, eliminating, or controlling workplace hazards. Failure of this strategy will expose workers to WMSDs.
According to World Health Organization work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are defined as disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which have been proven or assumed to have at least a partly work-related background characterized by the occurrence of several symptoms, concomitant or not, such as pain, paresthesia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, fatigue, vertigo, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome which appear insidiously. However vulnerability to acquire MSDs is well reported among healthcare professionals, particularly those who are in direct contact with patients during the course of their work routine. Factors involved in MSDs among them are physical exposure, sustained static and/or awkward posture, prolonged sitting & standing, forward bending of trunk, excessive neck flexion & extension, wrong lifting, pulling or pushing at work, repetitive and/or forceful work, repetitive upper arm elevation above 90˚, demanding work schedule etc. Majority of these issues can be prevented with simple measures like ergonomic design of the work environment, postural re-education and regular exercises.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs): risk factors, diagnosis and prevention
Scripta Scientifica Salutis Publicae, 2018
INTRODUCTION: Impairments like musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that involve many days away from work affect negatively the productivity of businesses. Depending on the severity of the impairment, losses to businesses can be significantly high. Research to improve the understanding of the relationship between MSDs, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), related economic costs, lost productivity in businesses is essential given workplace injuries not only affect productivity but deteriorate the situation destabilizing the economic state of businesses. Millions of working days are lost due to work-related diseases all over the world. AIM: The aim of this article is to analyze the main MSDs in regard to the diagnosis and the risk factors that lead to such conditions, and to outline some of the measures concerning the prevention of MSDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnosis, prevention and main risk factors of MSDs are analyzed based on literature search and vital statistics. RESULTS: Among the major risk factors for MSDs are biomechanical, biobehavioral, psychosocial and organizational risk factors. The most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system are: myositis, tendonitis, paratenonitis, tendovaginitis, tendomyositis, stenotic tendo-ligamentitis, periarthritis, styloiditis, epicondylitis, spondylosis, spondyloarthritis and others. Isolated damages are less frequent. More frequent are the combined musculoskeletal and soft tissue disorders, such as myotendinitis, myotendinosis, myoinsertionitis, tendosinovitis, as well as interstitial lesions with vascular and neurological disorders: myositis, carpal tunnel syndrome with n. medianus lesion, scalenus syndrome-with nervous and vascular damages of the arm, etc. As work-related MSDs arise from multiple risk factors, a holistic preventive approach is needed. Preventive strategies need to be taken at three levels: primary prevention with a combined focus on the risk assessment process and implementation of technical, organizational and person-oriented measures; secondary prevention consists of targeting, early identification and intervention; and tertiary prevention aims to stimulate and facilitate the (multidisciplinary) returnto-work process of workers being absent from work due to an MSDs problem. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of occupational MSDs by preliminary examination and regular checkups is very important because medical treatment is unlikely to be effective once these impairments become long-standing. Cost effectiveness will be achieved by proper diagnosis, occupational MSD identification, and early onset of adequate rehabilitation followed by a short-term rehabilitation of the worker.