title: Occupational musculoskeletal disorders management using Fuzzy TOPSIS Assessment of Repetitive Tasks (ART).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to evaluate occupational disorders and ergonomic problems in a workplace, Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem solving methods such as Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) can be utilized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this paper, Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) risk factors were evaluated in a manufacturing company in Iran by a method called Assessment of Repetitive Tasks (ART) of the upper limbs integrated with Fuzzy TOPSIS in order to prioritize the corrective actions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was done with a descriptive-analytical approach. The company under study had 240 employees who were working in seven different shops. Out of all tasks, 13 tasks were included in the study. Required information was gathered by a demographic questionnaire and ART method. Also, Fuzzy TOPSIS was utilized for the prioritization of the company shops based on the ergonomic control needs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis from ART indicated that 74.6% of the reviewed tasks were high risk. Based on the F- TOPSIS-ART results, Production shop prioritized as the highest need for MSD control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because there is time and financial resources limit in ergonomic control activities, a fuzzy prioritization approach such as Fuzzy TOPSIS ART can be used to take advantage of the available resources and control risks to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ergonomics, Health Faculty, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khandan
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Work Health Research Centre, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Koohpaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Management, Management Faculty, Qom University, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nili
authors.affiliation: Department of IT Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Qom University, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Farjami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: MCDM; TOPSIS; decision-making; occupational ergonomics; posture