OBJECTIVETo explore the prevalence characteristics and influence factors related to occupation and individuals for musculoskeletal disorders of workers in Chinese mines.

METHODSIn a cross-sectional study of 1900 coal miners from a coal mine, the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess the musculoskeletal disorders, and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the occupational factor and he musculoskeletal disorders.

RESULTSDuring the past year, 1205 miners of 1537 miners (78.4%) complained of the musculoskeletal disorders. The morbidity of lumbago was 59.5%. The morbidity of the musculoskeletal disorders in different body sites of the miners increased significantly with age (P < 0.05). The morbidity of the musculoskeletal disorders in the underground workers was significantly higher than that in the ground workers. According to logistic regression analysis, the repetitive operation and awkward posture were the risk factors for the musculoskeletal disorders in neck, shoulder and upper limbs; the repetitive operation, moving heavy substance and stooping posture were related significantly to lumbago; the musculoskeletal disorders in lower limbs were associated with the long standing and awkward posture.

CONCLUSIONThere is significant correlation between the occupational factors and the musculoskeletal disorders for coal miners.