title: Postural loading assessment in assembly workers of an Iranian telecommunication manufacturing company.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Changes in industries and work practices have coincided with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs and to assess postural loading in assembly workers of an Iranian telecommunication manufacturing company.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 193 randomly selected workers in 4 units of the company. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and the UBC ergonomic checklist were used as data collection tools. Loading on the upper body assessment (LUBA) was used to assess postural loading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower back symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the workers (67.9%). LUBA showed that most assembly workers (94.3%) had experienced considerable and high postural loading (postural load index, PLI > 5). Regression analyses revealed that lighting, rotation, contact stress, repetition, gender and age were factors associated with symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Work-related MSDs occurred at a high rate among workers. Postural loading requires consideration. Any ergonomic intervention should focus on eliminating ergonomic factors associated with symptoms.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamalinia
authors.forename: Gebreal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nasl Saraji
authors.forename: Dohyung
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choobineh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013685:Telecommunications