Musculoskeletal problems among workers of an Iranian sugar-producing factory.
BACKGROUND
Assessment of the level of exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) risk factors can be an appropriate basis for planning and implementing an interventional ergonomics program in the workplace. This study was conducted among workers of an Iranian sugar-producing factory to determine WMSD prevalence rate among production workers and to assess the level of exposure to WMSD risks.


METHODS
In total, 116 workers were randomly selected from production workshops and included in the study. The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to study prevalence of WMSDs and a quick exposure check (QEC) was used to assess physical exposure to risks. Required data were videotaped.


RESULTS
Most workers (87.1%) suffered from some kind of MSD symptoms during the 12 months prior to the study. The highest prevalence was reported in knees (58.6%) and the lower back (54.3%). In 99.1% of the workers, the level exposure to MSD risks established with QEC was high and very high. Awkward postures, manual material handling, and long hours of standing were the major ergonomics problems.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a high rate of WMSDs in this factory. The level of exposure to WMSD risk factors was high and corrective measures for reducing risk level were essential.
Choobineh
Alireza
A
Research Center for Health Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. alrchoobin@sums.ac.ir
Tabatabaee
Sayed Hamidreza
SH
Behzadi
Mahmoud
M
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D019422:Dietary Sucrose