Investigating the relationship between physical, cognitive, and environmental factors of ergonomics with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders: A case study in a car-parts manufacturing industry

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mokhtarinia, Hamidreza^{a; 1} | Alimohammadi, Bahar^{a; *} | Sadeghi-Yarandi, Mohsen^{b; 2} | Torabi-Gudarzi, Salman ^{b; 3} | Soltanzadeh, Ahmad^{c; 4} | Nikbakht, Neda^{d; 5}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Ergonomics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [b] Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [c] Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran | [d] Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering, >Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Bahar Alimohammadi, Department of Ergonomics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +989123811099; E-mail: [email protected]; ORCID: 0000-0003-0741-4030.

Note: [1] ORCID: 0000-0002-5181-4894

Note: [2] ORCID: 0000-0002-2512-8591

Note: [3] ORCID: 0000-0002-9507-068x

Note: [4] ORCID: 0000-0002-6976-1276

Note: [5] ORCID: 0000-0001-7678-5252

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) is a multi-factorial disorder in most occupational setting and it has increased significantly in recent years. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical, cognitive, and environmental factors of ergonomics with the prevalence of WRMSDs in a car-parts manufacturing industry METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed among 220 workers in a milling unit of a car parts manufacturing company in 2021-2022. The prevalence of WRMSDs was assessed using the Extended Version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Noise exposure was evaluated using dosimetry method. Mental and physical workload were evaluated by the NASA-TLX and key index methods (KIM-MHO and KIM-LHC), respectively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. RESULTS: The subjects’ mean age and work experience were 36.3±6.5 and 8.35±6.41 years, respectively. Eighty-five percent of the subjects reported WRMSDs in at least one area of the body. The results of mental workload assessment revealed a high workload mean range (73.23±14.89) in all of the subjects. Mean score of KIM-LHC and KIM-MHO were 738.18±336.42 and 201.86±36.41, respectively with odds ratio of 1.32 for KIM-LHC in creating the WRMSDs. There was a significant relationship between the noise exposure, mental and physical workload and the prevalence of WRMSDs (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION:The results of the present study revealed that environmental, physical and cognitive factors can simultaneously be effective in the prevalence of WRMSDs. Therefore, performing effective control measures requires comprehensive attention to physical, environmental, and cognitive ergonomics in the algorithm of ergonomics management in the workplace.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, noise exposure, ergonomic risk factor, mental workload, physical workload

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230155

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 1, pp. 215-229, 2024