Tag Archives: self-reported musculoskeletal disorders

1435-1449 V. Pille, K. Reinhold, P. Tint and J. Hartšenko
Comparison of musculoskeletal disorders development in Estonian office and garment industry workers
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Comparison of musculoskeletal disorders development in Estonian office and garment industry workers

V. Pille*, K. Reinhold, P. Tint and J. Hartšenko

Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate 5, EE19086 Tallinn, Estonia *Correspondence: piia.tint@ttu.ee

Abstract:

The aim of the paper was to investigate the structure of the factors influencing the development of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in two different employee groups: office and garment industry workers. The work conditions in these two workplaces are different. The first group is mostly exposed to psychological distress and less to physiological risk factors. The second group is more affected by non-ergonomics factors. Several different research methods were used in the study: the work conditions were assessed using a flexible risk assessment method; the ergonomic risks were assessed with the ART-tool; the workers’ musculoskeletal complaints were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire; the intensity of pain was assessed by means of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The number of investigated workers was 54 people from office and 49 from the garment industry. As a result, the garment workers’ group had significantly more musculoskeletal complaints. Self-reported muscle pain and discomfort complaints showed that the office workers’ left hand was less strained than the right one. It was confirmed by the studies determining the risk level using the ART tool at the workplace. The garment workers’ both hands are usually strained at about the same level, only in the extreme conditions where the right hand is fulfilling special operations, the operating (right) hand is strained more. The results of the study make it possible to work out the means for prevention and rehabilitation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

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