G3-3　Ergonomic Hazard Identification on Musculoskeletal Discomfort among Electronic Workers in Thailand

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are considered to be a major occupational health problem and also affecting quality of work life, medical costs, efficiency at work and productivity in most workplaces. Industrial workers have been identified as high risk for developing MSDs. The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence and to identify the potential risk hazards on musculoskeletal discomfort occurrence among electronic workers in Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 321 electronic workers in all departments in a large electronic factory. Data were collected using questionnaires including demographical-occupational data and self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort. Descriptive and binary logistic regression statistics were used to identify ergonomic hazards of reported musculoskeletal discomfort.Most workers were men (71.40%) with average age of 32.09 years (S.D. = 8.38), and had experience in this factory for 7.76 years (S.D. = 8.20). 76.80% of electronic workers self-reported work-related musculoskeletal discomforts in at least one body part. The most three high prevalence were found at low back (51.4%), followed by lower leg (50%) and shoulder (44%). The workers reported usually working time in a standing posture (74.15%) with average 52.06 minute (S.D. = 2.64). It has been also found that manual material handling was a common task (86.90%) with average weight 8.33 kg. (S.D. = 7.13). Binary logistic regression showed that standing posture (OR=3.75; 95% CI 1.84 to 16.66) was significantly associated with musculoskeletal discomfort (p<0.05).The prevalence of MSDs among workers in this study is found high. The study revealed that prolonged standing has led to musculoskeletal discomfort among electronics workers, especially in the lower back and lower leg regions. Therefore, work re-design should provide short breaks every hour and muscular stretching to reduce MSDs. Improvement of working condition is recommended in the study to prevent high risk activities at specific complained body parts