Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in an MDF furniture factory in eastern Thailand

Machine learning approach to determine the decision rules in ergonomic assessment of working posture in sewing machine operators

INTRODUCTION

There are some inherent problems with the use of observation methods in the ergonomic assessment of working posture, namely the stability and precision of the measurements. This study aims to use a machine learning (ML) approach to avoid the subjectivity bias of observational methods in ergonomic assessments and further identify risk patterns for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among sewing machine operators.

METHODS

We proposed a decision tree analysis scheme for ergonomic assessment in working postures (DTAS-EAWP). First, DTAS-EAWP used computer vision-based technology to detect the body movement angles from the on-site working videos to generate a dataset of risk scores through the criteria of Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) for sewing machine operators. Second, data mining techniques (WEKA) using the C4.5 algorithm were used to construct a representative decision tree (RDT) with paths of various risk levels, and attribute importance analysis was performed to determine the critical body segments for WMSDs.

RESULTS

DTAS-EAWP was able to recognize 11,211 samples of continuous working postures in sewing machine operation and calculate the corresponding final REBA scores. A total of 13 decision rules were constructed in the RDT, with over 95% prediction accuracy and 83% path coverage, to depict the possible risk tendency in the working postures. Through RDT and attribute importance analysis, it was identified that the lower arm and the upper arms exhibited as critical segments that significantly increased the risk levels for WMSDs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that ML approach with computer vision-based estimation and DT analysis are feasible for comprehensively exploring the decision rules in ergonomic assessment of working postures for risk prediction of WMSDs in sewing machine operators.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This DTAS-EAWP can be applied in manufacturing industries to automatically analyze working postures and identify risk patterns of WMSDs, leading to the development of effectively preventive interventions.

Comparative Ergonomic Study Examining the Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms of Taiwanese and Thai Workers in a Tape Manufacturing Factory

This study surveyed 114 Taiwanese and 57 Thai workers in a tape manufacturing factory in Taiwan and evaluated their symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) and associated risk factors by using the revised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Task-appropriate biomechanical and body load assessment tools were also employed to examine biomechanical and body load during four specified daily tasks. The results indicated that the prevalence of discomfort symptoms in any body part within one year was 81.6% for the Taiwanese workers and 72.3% for the Thai workers. The body part in which the Taiwanese workers most frequently experienced discomfort was the shoulders (57.0%), followed by the lower back (47.4%), the neck (43.9%), and the knees (36.8%); where the Thai workers most frequently experienced discomfort was the hands or wrists (42.1%), followed by the shoulders (36.8%) and the buttocks or thighs (31.6%). These locations of discomfort were associated with task characteristics. Heavy-material handling (>20 kg) more than 20 times per day was the most significant risk factor for WMSDs for both groups, and this task must thus be urgently improved. We also suggest that providing wrist braces for Thai workers may assist in alleviating their hand and wrist discomfort. The biomechanical assessment results indicated that the compression forces acting on the workers' lower backs exceeded the Action Limit standard; administrative controls must thus be instituted for two heavy-material handling tasks. In the factory, some tasks and workers' movements when completing these tasks must be assessed and improved immediately by using appropriate tools. Although the Thai workers were engaged in more physically demanding tasks, their WMSDs were milder than those of the Taiwanese workers. The results of the study can serve as references for the prevention and reduction of WMSDs in local and foreign workers in similar industries.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Associated Risk Factors among Furniture Manufacturing Workers in Guangdong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the one-year prevalence and the associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among furniture manufacturing workers in Guangdong, China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 4181 (2953 males and 1228 females) furniture manufacturing workers was conducted between September 2019 and December 2019. All information about WMSDs was collected by the electronic version of Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (CMQ). Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used to interpret the data.

RESULT

The overall prevalence of WMSDs was 31.57%. The WMSD symptoms most commonly occurred in the neck (16.77%), followed by the shoulders (14.90%), ankles/feet (14.64%), hands/wrists (13.30%), upper back (11.48%), and lower back (10.95%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that several individual, labor organization, and ergonomics-related factors conferred significant risks to WMSDs at different body sites.

CONCLUSIONS

WMSDs remain the major occupational health problem for furniture manufacturing workers. Hence, some effective and feasible protective measures for furniture manufacturing workers are required in order to alleviate the health burden caused by WMSDs.

Development of an educational protocol for ergonomic risk assessment of working postures to enhance the competence of occupational health nurses

AIM

To develop a protocol and provide a valid, evidence-based procedure for identifying the ergonomic risk of working postures by occupational health nurses.

BACKGROUND

Although ergonomic risk assessment tools have been used for the early detection of risky working postures, their operational procedures and validations do not target the competence of occupational nursing personnel.

DESIGN

This study developed and validated an educational protocol, comprised of 13 procedures in five stages. First, the number of work tasks in the workplace is determined. Second, the working postures are confirmed. Third, the raters are trained to use the assessment tools. Fourth, high-risk postures are identified and categorized. Fifth, the inter-rater reliability of the tool is reported. The content of the protocol is validated by experts, with a validity value of 0.87.

DATA SOURCES

The protocol was created through review of literature published from 1991 to 2021, protocol development (between 2018 to 2020) and expert validation (2020).

CONCLUSION

The protocol can be applied to educate occupational health nurses and increase their competence in detecting workers' ergonomic risks. It can be used as a reference in occupational health nursing education to evaluate work tasks and detect risky postures.

Evaluation of work place pesticide concentration and health complaints among women workers in tea plantation, Southern India

BACKGROUND

Women contribute fifty percent of the total work force in tea plantation sector. The continuous use of chemical pesticides in plantation may increase the risk of exposure and can cause detrimental health effects.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the health status of women worker exposed to pesticides in tea plantation and to evaluate the pesticide levels in work environment.

METHODS

A cross sectional study was performed (n = 204) to assess the health complaints among exposed women workers (n = 116) and non-exposed women (n = 88) using a predesigned questionnaire. Work environmental air samples collected using PUF sampler and personal samplers were analyzed for various pesticides.

RESULTS

Musculoskeletal disorder, skin color changes, allergies and asthma were the most commonly reported health complaints. Notably, only 16% of the women used personal protective equipment (PPE) while 68% reported to have experienced tea plantation work up to 6 month of their pregnancy period. Chlorpyrifos methyl (8.3%), carbendazim (6.7%), thiamethoxam (4.2%), ethion (4.2%) and thiophanate methyl (2.1%) were detected in work place air samples.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study is the first to characterize pesticide levels in work place of women workers in India. Women are continuously exposed to pesticides through their work and environmental exposure. Preventive measures are essential to mitigate the adverse health effects of pesticides among women workers.

Musculoskeletal disorders, stress perception and physical activity in police officers

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to analyze association between stress perception and physical activity with the prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (SMSD) in police officers. The police officers (n=142) answered the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was used to measure strength and direction of relationship between PSS-10 and prevalence of SMSD and showed a positive correlation between variables in the last 7 days (r=0.34, p=0.00001) and in the last 12 months (r=0.40, p=0.00001). The mean prevalence of SMSD in the last 12 months was lower among police officers practicing physical activity (W=1888.5, p=0.04). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the practice of physical activities as well as efforts to reduce stress perception both decrease the odds of musculoskeletal disorders. This study indicated that stress level and physical activity practice influenced in prevalence of SMSD. Multidisciplinary interventions with actions to reduce stress level and encourage physical activity practice are needed to control SMSD prevalence.

Moveable Production Systems for Sustainable Development and Trade: Limitations, Opportunities and Barriers

It has been claimed that technological advances will make it possible to make anything anywhere and to do so sustainably. In particular, making anything anywhere would increase the diversity of locations and participants involved in production, with positive effects for sustainability. For example, increasing the diversity of locations can reduce the long-distance transportation of materials and goods, which can improve the ecological sustainability of production. At the same time, increasing the diversity of people included in manufacturing can contribute to the spread of manufacturing communities, which can improve the social sustainability of production. However, physical production continues to be dominated by the same countries that have dominated global manufacturing in recent decades. Meanwhile, trade imbalances between rich and poor countries are similar to those of the past. In this paper, limitations and opportunities are explained for moveable production systems to increase the diversity of locations and participants in global production and trade. In addition, potential geopolitical barriers to the deployment of moveable production systems are explained.

'Aches and Pains' of Filipino Migrant Workers in Malaysia: A Profile of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background and Purpose:

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are alarmingly high among migrant workers in Malaysia. MSDs are the most prevalent occupational-related conditions in most parts of the world affecting function, productivity and overall health-related quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to determine the profile of Filipino migrant workers in Malaysia and their various musculoskeletal complaints.

Method:

This study utilized a quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional research design. A total of 60 subjects were randomly selected after passing the study’s sampling criteria. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was to used to determine common MSDs affecting the various regions in the body. The Demographic Pofile Sheet was provided to gather a subject’s demographic characteristics.

Results:

Filipino migrant workers mostly complain of pain in the low back area (60%) and shoulder pain (60%), followed by pain in the upper back (48.3%) and neck pain (45%) in the last 12 months. Household workers accounting for 73.3% of the subjects commonly complain of pain in the hips/thighs (78.9%), while workers in the service industry commonly complain of knee pain (39.1%).

Conclusions:

Results imply that Filipino migrant workers have a higher prevalence of shoulder and lower back pain in the last 12 months. Household workers are more susceptible to hip/thigh pain. Interventions focusing on ergonomics policy implementation, education on posture and lifting techniques and physical function is recommended. Further studies should consider the psychological and psychosocial aspects of migrant employment, which are known risk factors for MSDs.

Correlation analysis between work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the nursing practice environment, quality of life, and social support in the nursing professionals

We aim to analyze the correlated influential factors between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and nursing practice environment and quality of life and social support.From January 2015 to October 2015, cluster sampling was performed on the nurses from 12 hospitals in the 6 areas in Xinjiang. The questionnaires including the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Practice Environment Scale (PES), the Mos 36-item Short Form Health Survey, and Social Support Rating Scale were used to investigate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influential factors of WMSDs.The total prevalence of WMSDs was 79.52% in the nurses ever since the working occupation, which was mainly involved waist (64.83%), neck (61.83%), and shoulder (52.36%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated age (≥26 years), working in the Department of Surgery, Department of Critical Care, Outpatient Department, and Department of Anesthesia, working duration of >40 hours per week were the risk factors of WMSDs in the nurses. The physiological function (PF), body pain, total healthy condition, adequate working force and financial support, and social support were the protective factors of WMSDs.The prevalence of WMSDs in the nurses in Xinjiang Autonomous Region was high. PF, bodily pain, total healthy condition, having adequate staff and support resources to provide quality patient care, and social support were the protective factors of WMSDs in the nurses.