Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| [b] Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [c] Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [d] Department of Environmental Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Branch of North, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh, Tel.: +98 9194046948; Fax: +98 88600062; E-mail: ah.khoshakhlagh@gmail.com; ORCID: 0000-0002-2265-5054.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Work-related musculoskeletal pain is usually caused by poor physical conditions, repetitive motion, and adverse environmental and psychological situations. OBJECTIVE:This study aims to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and their work-related factors among employees on offshore oil and gas installations in Iran. METHODS:Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to collect data. The relationship of musculoskeletal pain with job type, rest breaks, exercise, shift program, and work period was studied among employees on offshore installations. T-test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. RESULTS:Employees on offshore installations were exposed to high levels of risk of musculoskeletal pain in their knees and back. Consequently, they reported the highest level of complaints of pain in the neck and lower back areas. Workers in drilling and tour-scheduling jobs reported the highest level of musculoskeletal pain. In the course of seven days and 12 months, the highest level of significant relationship was observed between the limbs and the work periods (tour scheduling or days-off) of the staff. CONCLUSION:The findings showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among employees of offshore facilities was high due to inappropriate working conditions such as repetitive work, lifting heavy loads and limited rest periods. Therefore, strategies must be considered to reduce the effects of disorders.
