Ergonomic intervention to reduce musculoskeletal disorders among flour factory workers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hemati, Karim^a | Darbandi, Zahra^b | Kabir-Mokamelkhah, Elaheh^c | Poursadeghiyan, Mohsen^{d; e} | Ghasemi, Mohamad Sadegh^f | Mohseni-Ezhiye, Mohammad^f | Abdolahian, Yeganeh^f | Aghilinejad, Mashallah^b | Ali Salehi, Mohammad^b | Dehghan, Naser^{c; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [b] Department of Occupational Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [c] Occupational Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [d] Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran | [e] Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran | [f] Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Naser Dehghan, Occupational Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: dehghan.n@iums.ac.ir.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational health hazards. In the flour production industry, the fast pace of work, high frequency of repetitive movements, manual handling of loads, and awkward postures put a lot of pressure on the worker’s body. OBJECTIVE:Given the high exposure of the workers of the flour production industry to ergonomic risk factors, this study aimed to reduce the rate of musculoskeletal disorders among a group of flour factory workers through ergonomic interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This interventional study was performed using the census method on the eligible workers of a flour factory. An ergonomic intervention program was planned and implemented with the goal of reducing musculoskeletal disorders. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by measuring the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders before and six months after the interventions. RESULTS:Before the intervention, musculoskeletal disorders were most prevalent in the lower back, arms, shoulders, legs, thighs, knees, neck and wrists, respectively. Evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders after the intervention showed the positive effect of the ergonomic intervention program on musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders, lower back, thighs, knees, and legs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Engineering and management interventions implemented in this study led to a significant reduction in the level of ergonomic risk factors and a reduced rate of musculoskeletal disorders among workers of different units in the flour factory.

Keywords: Flour factory, ergonomic intervention, Nordic Questionnaire, musculoskeletal disorders

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203275

Journal: Work, vol. 67, no. 3, pp. 611-618, 2020