Affiliations: [a] Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| [b] Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Keimyung University, Dalseo-gu, Taegu, South Korea | [c] Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| [d] Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Mojtaba Kamalinia, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Tel.: +98 7137256001; Fax: +98 7137260225; E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Prolonged, awkward postures among assembly line workers can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). OBJECTIVE:This study determined the prevalence of WMSDs and ergonomic risk factors among assembly line workers at an electronic parts manufacturer, and introduced a low-cost ergonomic intervention. METHODS:Data were gathered by means of a questionnaire. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique was used to determine ergonomic risk factors. A low-cost intervention, designed to improve working postures was introduced. RESULTS:Most musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with the lower back (73.6%), wrist/ hands (71.7%), and neck (67.9%). Most (80%) of the working postures analyzed using the RULA were at action levels 3 or 4. CONCLUSIONS:The ergonomic intervention resulted in a significant reduction in posture scores for the neck and trunk. This indicated that the intervention helped to improve workplace ergonomics.
