Affiliations: Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr. B R Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar, India
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Harbir Singh, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar, P.O – N.I.T, G T Road, Jalandhar 144011, Punjab, India, Tel.: +91 9876084788; E-mail: er.hbains@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Insurance employees in India are overworked, and their jobs demand prolonged sitting hours in the office; this can lead to musculoskeletal disorders through consistent stress on the musculoskeletal system. The present study includes implications for the reduction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders to minimise sick leaves and medical expenses. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder-related issues among employees working in insurance offices and to analyse the association of pain symptoms with risk factors including demographic, occupational and psychosocial factors. METHODS:The study included 400 employees from different insurance offices. Data were collected using a questionnaire about pain, a flexibility test (sit-and-reach test) and a video-based analysis of working postures using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. RESULTS:The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was the highest in the neck (57.2%), shoulders (38.5%), upper back (28.5%) and lower back (46.2%). CONCLUSIONS:A high persistence of musculoskeletal symptoms was observed in the neck, lower back, upper back and shoulders; the presence of these symptoms was strongly associated with predominant factors: assumed awkward posture, body mass index, job demand, RULA score and infrequent rest breaks. Additional research is required for testing the effect of interventions involving stretching exercises and/or installation of ergonomic workstations.
Keywords: BMI, occupational factors, psychosocial work factors, RULA
