1.The interaction between social psychology and workload factors of neck work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Yu PENG ; Xu JIN ; Wenchu HUANG ; Jingyun LI ; Shanfa YU ; Lihua HE
China Occupational Medicine 2023;50(6):666-670
{L-End}Objective To explore the interaction between social psychology and workload factors on neck work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in manual workers. {L-End}Methods Manual workers in Henan Province and Hubei Province were selected as the research subjects using typical sampling method. The Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of neck WMSDs in the research subjects. A total of 4 327 workers with neck WMSDs were selected as the case group, and 4 327 workers without neck WMSDs were selected as the control group in a 1∶1 pairing. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to compare the relevant risk factors in the two groups, and the additive interaction model was established to analyze the interactions between the risk factors. {L-End}Results The univariate conditional logistic analysis results showed that dynamic load, static load, power load and psychosocial factors increased the risk of neck WMSDs in manual workers (all P<0.05). In terms of the social psychological factors, insufficient rest time had the greatest impact workers, with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.799 (1.647-1.965). In terms of dynamic load, static load and power load, repeated similar movements of the head per minute (bending, twisting), forward bending of the neck or maintaining this posture for a long time, and lifting heavy objects>20 kg had the greatest impact, with the OR and 95%CI of 1.599 (1.470-1.739), 1.984 (1.805-2.181) and 1.241 (1.093-1.408), respectively. There was a synergistic interaction between insufficient rest time and forward bending of the neck or maintaining this posture for a long time, and the relative excess risk due to interaction (95%CI) and attributable proportion (95%CI) were 0.420 (0.187-0.652) and 0.171 (0.066-0.276), respectively. There is no interaction between insufficient rest time and repeated similar movements of the head per minute (bending, twisting), and lifting heavy objects >20 kg. {L-End}Conclusion The interaction between insufficient rest time and forward bending of the neck or maintaining this posture for a long time (static load) can increase the risk of neck WMSDs in manual workers, which is an additive synergistic effect.
2.Study on influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in neck-shoulder-back of manufacturing workers
Nanyu JIANG ; Xu JIN ; Wenchu HUANG ; Jingyun LI ; Shanfa YU ; Sheng WANG ; Zhongbin ZHANG ; Yun WANG ; Lihua HE
China Occupational Medicine 2023;50(6):657-665
{L-End}Objective To investigate the influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) that affect neck-shoulder-back among manufacturing workers. {L-End}Methods A total of 8 250 front-line workers from 27 manufacturing enterprises in Henan Province and Hubei Province were selected as the research subjects using cluster sampling method. The Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of neck-shoulder-back (include neck, shoulder, upper back, and lower back) WMSDs in the past year. The log-binomial model, principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs in the neck-shoulder-back. {L-End}Results The prevalence of WMSDs was 77.2%. The prevalence of neck-shoulder-back WMSDs was 50.9%. The prevalence ratios of WMSDs were relatively higher among the neck, shoulder, and upper back (all P<0.05). The results of PCA improved logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of neck-shoulder-back WMSDs were individual factors, biomechanical factors, psychosocial factors and environmental factors. In terms of individual factors, the risk of neck-shoulder-back WMSDs was higher in females than in males (P<0.05). With the increase of age, length of service, and education level, the risk of neck-shoulder-back WMSDs increased among manufacturing workers (all P<0.05). The risk of neck-shoulder-back WMSDs of workers in textile, clothing, shoes and hats manufacturing industry was relatively lower than that in the other nine industries (all P<0.05). In terms of the biomechanical factors, spending a lot of effort to operate tools/machines, sitting for a long time at work,bending greatly bending and turning at the same time, neck leaning forward or maintaining this posture for a long time, neck twisting or maintaining this posture for a long time and uncomfortable position resulting in difficulty exerting exertion were all risk factors of neck-shoulder-back WMSDs among manufacturing workers (all P<0.05) Bending slightly for a long time was a protective factor for neck-shoulder-back WMSDs among manufacturing workers (P<0.05). In terms of the psychosocial factors, doing the same work every day, self-determination in resting time between works staff shortage, and frequent overtime work were risk factors for neck-shoulder-back WMSDs among manufacturing workers (all P<0.05). Adequate resting time was a protective factor for neck-shoulder-back WMSDs among manufacturing workers (P<0.01). In terms of environmental factors, working under cold or fluctuating temperature, having nothings to lean on, and soles slipping or falling at work were all risk factors for neck-shoulder-back WMSDs among manufacturing workers (all P<0.05). {L-End}Conclusion Manufacturing workers are prone to suffer from neck-shoulder-back WMSDs. The influencing factors include individual factors, biomechanical factors (force load and static load), psychosocial factors and environmental factors.
3.Relationship between ergonomic exposures and work-related musculoskeletal disorders of assembly workers in assembly manufacturing enterprises
Nanyu JIANG ; Yidan DONG ; Dongliang QIN ; Wenchu HUANG ; Lihua HE
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2022;39(6):600-608
Background China's manufacturing industry is still labor-intensive, and assembly employees in manufacturing industry are facing a great risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Objective To investigate and analyze the prevalence and distribution of WMSDs among assembly workers in manufacturing enterprises and explore the relationship between WMSDs and ergonomic exposure factors such as posture load and mental load. Methods From July to September 2017, by convenient sampling, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to select 670 workers engaged in electronic accessories assembly and railway vehicle manufacturing in three manufacturing enterprises in two cities in northern China as the research participants. The posture load assessment was based on the Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire independently developed by our research group. The mental load assessment was based on a revised Chinese version of the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique. An unconditional logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between ergonomic exposure and WMSDs. Results The overall prevalence rate of WMSDs was 39.6% (265/670) with 43.8% in males and 25.2% in females; the highest prevalence rate was 47.7% in the group aged 40 years and over. The prevalence rate of WMSDs in the electronic accessories assembly workers was 16.9%, that in the railway vehicle manufacturing workers was 57.3%, and the difference was statistically significant (
4.Influencing factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among assembly workers in four manufacturing enterprises
Ping JIANG ; Yidan DONG ; Xu JIN ; Nanyu JIANG ; Yu PENG ; Wenchu HUANG ; Lihua HE
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2022;39(6):593-599
Background The prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among manufacturing workers is relatively high and has been widely concerned. However, research on the prevalence and risk factors of multi-site WMSDs is still insufficient. Objective To explore the prevalence and risk factors of multi-site WMSDs of assembly workers in four manufacturing enterprises. Methods The "Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire" was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey among 1401 assembly workers selected by convenient sampling in four manufacturing enterprises, and their demographic characteristics, the prevalence of WMSDs in various body parts, and the information about biomechanical factors, work organizations, work environment, and psychosocial factor exposure were collected. The prevalence of WMSDs and multi-site WMSDs were estimated, Pearson χ2 test was used for univariate analysis of multi-site WMSDs risk factors, and logistic regression was used for multi-factor analysis. Results The total prevalence rate of WMSDs was 54.9% (769/1 401). The top three affected sites were neck (41.4%), shoulders (30.7%), and wrist/hand (25.1%). The prevalence rate of multi-site WMSDs was 41.9% (587/1 401). The prevalence rates of multi-site WMSDs in railway vehicle assembly and riveting workers were higher than those in electronic parts processing and glass manufacturing workers (P<0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that individual factors such as female (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.48−2.97) and drinking (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.05−2.18), biomechanics factors such as keeping head down for a long time (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.22–1.53), keeping bending frequently (OR=1.18, 95%CI: 1.03–1.34), and keeping arms up for a long time (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.10–1.41), work organizational factors such as electronic parts processing, railway vehicle assembly, and riveting (OR values were 3.23, 5.70, and 13.83, respectively), environmental factors such as temperature a little cold (OR=4.84, 95%CI: 1.90–12.37), noise seriously affecting work (OR=2.25, 95%CI: 1.23–4.11), and psychosocial factors such as high job demands (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.04–2.08), fatigue after work (OR=1.92−2.61) were risk factors of multi-site WMSDs. Conclusion The prevalence rate of multi-site WMSDs in assembly workers is high, and the main influencing factors include individual factors, awkward work postures, environmental factors, and psychosocial factors.
5.Study on ergonomic intervention to relieve work-related musculoskeletal disorders among assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise
Yidan DONG ; Ping JIANG ; Yu PENG ; Xu JIN ; Xianning JIN ; Wenchu HUANG ; Zhongbin ZHANG ; Ying WANG ; Lihua HE
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2022;39(6):609-616
Background Work-related musculoskeletal diseases (WMSDs) occur in a variety of occupational populations. Because of their various discomfort and serious disease burden, they have become an important issue worthy of attention in the field of occupational health. The prevention and control of WMSDs is one of the public health problems to be solved. Objective To evaluate the intervention effect on WMSDs among assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise, so as to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of WMSDs. Methods A total of 250 assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise were selected using convenience sampling from August to December 2017. The Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for epidemiological investigation, and the Ergonomic Checkpoints was used for ergonomic inspection and worker interview. According to the above survey results, a six-month intervention plan including stepladder improvement and ergonomics training were implemented in the assembly workshop from September 2018 to February 2019. The intervention effects including the awareness of WMSDs, the exposure level of ergonomic load, and the occurrence of WMSDs symptoms were evaluated with relevant cross-sectional survey results before and after the intervention. The scores of WMSDs symptom intensity, symptom duration, and symptom frequency from low to high were 0-10, 1-4, and 1-5, respectively. Results After the intervention, the awareness rates of assembly workers on WMSDs types, affected body sites, influencing factors, preventive measures, and symptoms all increased from 52.3%, 51.9%, 25.5%, 19.1%, and 51.5% to 68.5%, 61.3%, 48.1%, 40.9%, and 61.3%, respectively (P<0.05). After the intervention, the proportion of assembly workers who "often" bend their head backwards frequently decreased from 34.6% to 21.8%, the proportion who "often" keep their trunk backward for a long time decreased from 26.6% to 15.0%, and the proportion who "never" raise their arms frequently increased from 3.4% to 9.0% (P<0.05). After the intervention, the scores of WMSDs symptom intensity in neck, shoulders, upper back, low back, elbows, hands/wrists, hips/thighs, knees, and ankles/feet all decreased, and the medians were mostly decreased from 6 to 3 (P<0.05); the scores of WMSDs symptom duration only decreased in neck (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the other body sites before and after the intervention; the median scores of WMSDs symptom frequency in low back, hands/wrists, and hips/thighs decreased from 3 to 2 (P<0.05). Conclusion The six-month intervention of stepladder improvement and ergonomics training among assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise can improve workers' awareness of WMSDs, and reduce the exposure frequency of awkward postures and the intensity, duration, and frequency of WMSDs symptoms.