Tag Archives: musculoskeletal disorders

170–186 K. Juhanson and E. Merisalu
Ergonomic intervention programs in different economic sectors: a review article
Abstract |
Full text PDF (374 KB)

Ergonomic intervention programs in different economic sectors: a review article

K. Juhanson* and E. Merisalu

Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology, Department of Husbandry Engineering and Ergonomics, Fr.R. Kreutzwaldi 56/1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: kerttu.juhanson@gmail.com

Abstract:

Unlimited number of hazards can be found in almost every workplace increasingly causing work-related diseases (WRDs) and injuries among workers. In work environment there are various risk factors: physiological, physical or psychological. An awkward and static postures, repetitive movements, high work pace, non-ergonomic tools and poorly organized workstations are most likely causing musculoskeletal disorders. As well inconvenient room temperature, noise, vibration and poor lighting conditions can conduce to additional work discomfort, mental stress, fatigue, injury, or trauma among employees. Ergonomic interventions are coming more popular. Many organizations are trying to find best solutions to avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The aim of this paper is to describe different ergonomic interventions focused on diminishing of musculoskeletal discomfort and MSDs among workers. This paper gives overview about the most common and effective ergonomic interventions which really have worked in practice. For this research were used three different databases EBSCO, Science Direct and Mendeley. The selection of publications passed three phases of systematic search of literature: the first elimination consist of keywords ‘ergonomics, intervention’ and year of publication. In the second phase was added a keyword ‘work’ and in the third phase were eliminated repeated and literature review publications and as well publications which had little sample size or the exploration was not covered with real interventions. The publications (n = 209) of ergonomic interventions carried out in the past five years 2010–2015 were analyzed. Wide spectrum of different ergonomic interventions was found in several economic sectors, whereas the most effective ones were related to well-known ergonomics methods, workstation adjustment, training and exercises.

Key words:

, ,



1417-1426 E. Merisalu, M. Männaste, K. Hiir and A. Traumann
Predictors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sewing machine operators
Abstract |
Full text PDF (311 KB)

Predictors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sewing machine operators

E. Merisalu¹*, M. Männaste¹, K. Hiir¹ and A. Traumann²

¹Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology, Kreutzwaldi 56, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia
²TTK University of Applied Sciences, Pärnu mnt. 62, EE10134 Tallinn, Estonia *Correspondence: eda.merisalu@emu.ee

Abstract:

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a common and most often disabling problem among sewing machine operators and associated to work related factors. The aim of study was to determine work related and individual risk factors and the prevalence of MSDs among sewing machine operators and describe relationships between risk factors and MSDs. The data were collected in random sample method, using parts of a standardized CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) questionnaire. The questions were focused on occurrence of MSDs in different body regions, in the past year and past month. The respondents assessed pain in the neck, lower back, and both on the right and left side of shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands and knees. The questions about individual, physiological and psychological risk factors and health behaviour were included.

The response rate was 43.9%, from 130 sewing machine operators fifty seven of them responded to the questionnaire. They all were women, in mean age 44.4 ± 8.6 years and with average body mass index (BMI) 26.8 ± 6.6 kg m-2. The majority had work experience more than 5 years. Sewing work is monotonous, in steady sitting position, with repetitive movements in elbow, wrist and fingers during a whole workday. The most of respondents (93%) have reported poor autonomy to decide over the working schedule and 75.4% had low decision latitude over what and how to do work. The majority of sewing machine operators get support from the colleagues and management.
Musculoskeletal pain at least in one body site was measured in 91.2% of cases in the past 12 months and among 82.5% of respondents in the past month. More than half of participants reported pain in three or more body sites. The most often pain regions were lower back (66.7%), neck (61.4%), wrist/hand (50.9%) and shoulders (42.1%) in the past year, and neck (45.6%) in the past month. Pearson correlation analysis showed positive relationships between lower back pain and poor autonomy (p = 0.02) and BMI (p = 0.05) and repetitive elbow bending was related to neck and wrist/hand pain (p = 0.05, in both). Regular smoking was related to wrist/hand pain (p = 0.003). In conclusion, high prevalence of MSDs among the sewing machine operators has observed, whereas lower back, neck, wrist and shoulders were the most often reported pain regions. Lower back pain correlated positively with BMI and autonomy, smoking with wrist/hand pain and repeated upper limb movements with neck and elbow pain.

Key words:

, ,



261-268 P. Tint, A. Traumann, V. Pille, V.-R. Tuulik-Leisi and V. Tuulik
Computer users’ health risks caused by the simultaneous infl uence of inadequate indoor climate and monotonous work
Abstract |
Full text PDF (206 KB)

Computer users’ health risks caused by the simultaneous infl uence of inadequate indoor climate and monotonous work

P. Tint, A. Traumann, V. Pille, V.-R. Tuulik-Leisi and V. Tuulik

Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate 5, EE19086 Tallinn, Estonia.

Abstract:

This paper is aimed at improving the workplace ergonomics of computer workers (working as information-technologists or in offices and at the till of trade companies). The paper includes the assessment of the risk of monotonous work, but also the influence of indoor climate conditions on development of health damages at workplace (developing carpal channel syndrome). A questioning of workers was carried out (Kiva questionnaire) to clarify the opinion of workers about the work atmosphere at the workplace. The novelty of the study is that the work conditions (indoor climate, lighting, noise) are closely connected with the monotonousness of the work. Cold temperatures (<20°C in office), bad lighting (<300 lx at the till or <400 lx in the office) are supplementary factors for developing the musculoskeletal disorders. The results of analysis of repetitive work (ART tool) show that the intensity of work for workers totally engaged in info-technology is high, but in some way monotonous, therefore health problems like musculoskeletal disorders are very common. The rehabilitation possibilities are proposed. The questioning of the workers showed that the workers working with computers are focused on their own work tasks and do not require very much the relations with the co-workers.

Key words:

, ,