1.Analyzing the influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in neck, shoulder and lower back of live-electric line workers
Conghan LIU ; Tao SUN ; Min LI ; Xin LU ; Lei LIU
China Occupational Medicine 2023;50(6):613-619
{L-End}Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of live-electric line workers in the power supply enterprises. {L-End}Methods A total of 1 479 live-electric frontline workers in the power supply bureaus under China Southern Power Grid Co., LTD in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong Province and Yunnan Province were selected as the research subjects using the cluster sampling method. The revised Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and their influencing factors in the past year. {L-End}Results The prevalence of WMSDs was 61.4%. The prevalence of WMSDs in nine body sites ranged from 11.3% to 45.1%, with the highest prevalence being on three sites of neck, shoulder and lower back with a prevalence of 45.1%, 36.0% and 30.8%, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of WMSDs in the neck, shoulder, and lower back were different, but all related to individual factors, poor ergonomics factors, and unreasonable work organization factors. The influencing factors simultaneously affecting these three sites included length of service, educational level, working in a sitting posture for a long time, working in uncomfortable postures, adequate rest time, starting to work after rest, deciding when to start and finish by oneself, and shortage of staff in the department or group. The factors affecting both neck and shoulder WMSDs were gender and back bending slightly for a long time. The factors affecting both neck and lower back were age and back bending significantly for a long time. {L-End}Conclusion The prevalence of WMSDs in the live-electric line workers in power supply enterprises is high, mainly occurring in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. The influencing factors are individual factors, poor ergonomics factors, and unreasonable work organization.
2.Simulation analysis of work posture and muscle fatigue in breaking and connecting contact terminal
Ruijian PAN ; Xin LU ; Conghan LIU ; Chu CHEN ; Lei LIU ; Min LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):260-269
Background When live working line operators engage in upper limb operations, working for a long time with raising arms and the exposure to adverse ergonomic factors tend to increase muscle load, cause fatigue accumulation, and increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Objective To analyze work posture and associated muscle fatigue during executing breaking/connecting contact terminal, and identify adverse ergonomic factors of the work process. Methods This study recruited 10 volunteers to perform breaking/connecting contact terminal simulation. At a distance of 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5 m from the body to the wire, each performed the task 5 times. Visual 3D was used to analyze the kinematic data from motion capture. The surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of the deltoid, biceps, triceps, and brachioradialis were recorded during the simulation and analyzed for muscle fatigue using root mean square (RMS), median frequency (MF), and jointed EMG amplitude and spectrum analysis (JASA). After completion of each task, Borg scale was used to query the volunteers of their subjective fatigue. A 2-min rest was required between each distance. Results The kinematic data from motion capture showed that in the entire process of the task, the right upper limb was higher when lifting, with the right shoulder joint maintaining flexion and fluctuating periodically between abduction and adduction, external and internal rotation, the right elbow joint maintaining flexion and supination. The frequency of task cycle showed a significant effect on the Borg scale scores (P<0.001, partial
3.Prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in neck and shoulder among power distribution workers
Conghan LIU ; Min LI ; Chu CHEN ; Lei LIU ; Xin LU ; Ruijian PAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):310-318
Background Power grid is an important component of the national infrastructure. The occupational health issues among the workers in this industry are attracting great concern nationwide. Objective To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in neck and shoulder among the power distribution workers of power supply enterprises, and analyze the related influencing factors. Method In April 2023, a total of