Showing 6 results for Musculoskeletal Disorders
J Nasel Saraji , S.a Mosavi , S.j Shahtaheri , M Pourmahabadian ,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (7-2005)
Abstract
The exposure index was used to obtain integrated and concise assessment of the various risk factor analyzed and to classify occupational scenarios featuring significant and diversified exposure to risk factors.
In this study, an integrated procedure from four data gathering methods include observational methods (for jobs and tasks analyzing featuring repetitive movements) interview method (for asking about upper limbs musculoskeletal disorders), Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) method and Occupational repetitive actions method (OCRA) were used .
A 385 persons group was studied, working in 33 various jobs in a textile factory. The results showed that, 0.86% of work tasks had low risk level, 87.93% of work task were located in moderate risk level and 11.21% of work task had a high risk level. Mean of exposure indices in four jobs include primary of spinning, spinning, primary of weaving, and weaving had significant difference (p=0.003). Also, the weaving job had a highest risk of occurrence upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Mean of right and left hand exposure indices showed a significant different (p<0.001). There was significant relationship between UEMSDs with age (p<0.05).
It was concluded that, the OCRA methods can be a useful method for evaluation of UEMSDs in repetitive activities.
M Hajaghazadeh, J Nasl Saraji, M Hosseini, J Adl,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are the most prevalent occupational diseases and injuries. The aim of this investigation was WMSDs risk factors study in building construction industry by PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) method.
Materials and Methods: This analytical-descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in four construction sites. A total of 3100 observations of 89 workers in 14 jobs were obtained. The percent of time determined for trunk, legs and hands postures, and manual material handling activities, used tools and handling in job tasks.
Results: Trunk, legs and hands postures, tools and objects weight differed significantly between stages (P<0.0001). Neutral trunk posture was observed frequently. Neutral legs and hands postures were observed greater than %50 and %80 of the time respectively in studied workers. Tools are used with different frequency in studied jobs. Loads with less than 5 Kg were handled repeatedly.
Conclusion: The result of this study can be used to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers. This study revealed construction workers spent more time with neutral postures. But ergonomic interventions should be accomplished in specified jobs.
M Kamalinia, G Nasl Saraji, A Choobineh, M Hosseini,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (2-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Application of modern technologies and changes in industries and work practices, particularly in assembly lines, have resulted in increased work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This has led to reduced occupational competence in both industrialized and developed countries. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs in the upper limbs, postural loading on the upper limbs (using the LUBA technoque), and ergonomic risk factors among assembly workers of an Iranian Telecommunications Manufacturing Company (ITMC) in Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional survey data were collected, using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) and LUBA Checklist, on 193 randomly selected registered assembly workers from 8 units of the assembly line of ITMC, Shiraz, Iran. The statistical tests used were as follws: 1.The qui-square test, to determine factors causing MSDs 2. One-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis to determine postural loading index 3. Logistic multiple regression analysis, to determine risk factors.
Results: Lower-back symptoms were found to be the most prevalent problem (67.9%.) among the workers. The findings also showed that the upper limb disorders were significantly associated with age, sex, job, daily working time, work evironment conditions, and twisting (P<0.01). Based on LUBA, a large majority of the workers (89.64%) had experienced high postural loading (PLI = 5). In addition, significant associations were found between postural loading and symptoms of upper limbs and units of work (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Based on these findings, MSDs are prevelent among Telecommunication Manufacturing Company in Shiraz, Iran. The most important factors likely to cause MSDs are postural loading on the limbs and unfavourable working conditions. Interventional programs aimig at preventing musculoskeletal problems among assembly line workers should focus on reducing postural loading.
L Gheibi, J Nasl Saraji, H Zeraati, Gh Pouryaghub,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The large volume of reports and statistics in the literature on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Iran and other countries indicates that it is essential to assess the ergonomic situation in different occupations. These disorders can be caused by long-term exposure to different agents or by trauma to the musculoskeletal system. A large part of the work force in Iran is engaged in general construction and dam construction workshops. The postures of these workers while working in the workshops are unsuitable postures. The objective of this study was to assess the ergonomic situation of workers in dam construction workshops.
Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2008. The sample included 110 randomly selected male-workers in a dam construction workshop in Takab City, Iran, engaged in 25 different jobs. Data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the National Institute of Occupational Health-Center to Protect Worker Rights Checklist (NIOSH-CPWR), both developed by the National Institute of Occupational Health-Center to Protect Workers Rights. The software used to analyze data was SPSS.
Results:The average service record of the workers was 36.6 ± 86.8 months. The data show that the most common (55.5%) MSDs were in the low back region. There were statistically significant positive associations between prevalence of MSDs and many independent variables, namely, age, weight, education level, service record, smoking, type of job, lengths of time of standing and sitting at work, total duration of work, work pressure, undesirable postures, and surface for walking.
Conclusion: The results of this study generally confirm findings of previous investigators. It can be concluded that ergonomic assessment of jobs may give valuable information to be used by occupational health and safety authorities in planning preventive and educational programs.
Roghayeh Abedini, Alireza Choobineh, Jafar Hassanzadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (1-2013)
Abstract
Background and aims: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a serious problem among the nursing staff. Manual patient-handling tasks, such as lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients, are the major causes of WMSDs among nursing staff. The objective of the present study was risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders during patient transfers by the movement-and-assistance-of-hospital patient (MAPO) technique among hospital nursing staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 400 randomly selected nurses from 75 wards in 11 hospitals in Shiraz. Data were collected using demographic and Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaires and the MAPO index checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.
Results: The means of age and job tenure of the subjects were 30.76±6.44 and 6.92±5.75 years, respectively. The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 88.2%. The results of assessment by the MAPO index revealed that more than 83% of the subjects were at risk, 20.5% of them exposed to high risk. Further analysis of the data indicated that the musculoskeletal disorders occurrence was significantly associated with the MAPO index score (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders were found to be associated with the MAPO index. Therefore, MAPO is an appropriate tool for musculoskeletal disorders risk identification and assessment due to patient handling in the nursing personnel. In any attempt to improve the working conditions, patient transfer aids, environmental factors, and proper training should be taken into consideration.
Samira Kazemi, Hadis Khoshnavaz, Masoumeh Ghorbanideh, Sakineh Varmazyar, Salman Sheikhi,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In the household appliances industry, due to doing such work operations as manually moving pieces, there is the probability of occurring musculoskeletal disorders and muscle fatigue. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate muscle fatigue and its relationship with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among personnel of a household appliances factory. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistical and logistic regression tests.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, including 150 employees of a household appliances factory, was conducted in 2016. Data about the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and muscle fatigue were collected using a standard Nordic and muscle fatigue assessment (MFA) questionnaire, respectively, and analyzed using the logistic regression test.
Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the lumbar region, knees and neck was 33.3%, 25.3%, and 21.3%, respectively. In addition, the results of MFA showed that reduction of the risk of muscle fatigue in the shoulders, wrists and arms needs corrective action as a top priority in 28.7%, 28%, and 26.7% of the employees, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between muscle fatigue and the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusion: Considering disorders in the lumbar region and risk of fatigue in the shoulder region, the risk can be reduced by proper corrective actions, such as increasing the height of pallets, using tables with adjustable heights, and layout of the parts in a normal access range.
