Relationship between workplace ergonomics and musculoskeletal pain, range of motion and spinal deformities in employees: A case study, Kermanshah Oil Refinery

Abstract

Introduction: Today, the health of human resources in organizations is considered an important arm. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between workplace ergonomics and musculoskeletal pain, joint range of motion (ROM), and spinal deformities in Kermanshah oil refinery staff.
 Materials and Methods: In the present descriptive-analytical study, all official employees of Kermanshah Oil Refinery (n = 300) were invited to participate in the study, in which 160 employees participated as a statistical sample. The independent variable in this study was workplace ergonomics and the dependent variables including musculoskeletal pain joint ROM and spinal abnormalities. Spinal mouse device was used for spinal deformities assessment, ROSA and RULA forms for workplace ergonomics evaluation, babble baseline inclinometer for measuring the range of motion of the neck, shoulder, thigh, knee, and ankle joints, and Visual Analog scale (VAS) to assess musculoskeletal pain. SPSS software (version 25) and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to investigate the relationship between research variables at a significance level of 0.05.
 Results: The results showed that there was a negative and significant relationship between ergonomics of the workplace with musculoskeletal pain (p<0.05), hip, neck, shoulder, knee, and ankle joints ROM (p<0.05). There was also a positive and significant relationship between workplace ergonomics and spinal abnormalities (lordosis and kyphosis) (p<0.05).
 Conclusion: The findings of the study showed, improper workplace ergonomics is significantly associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, hyperkyphosis, and hyperlordosis abnormalities, and abnormal range of motion of the joints.

Correlational Analysis of Physical and Cognitive Workload Factors to Musculoskeletal Discomfort Experienced by Machine Operators in Semi-automated Hollowblock Manufacturing Sites

“…Ergonomic hazards in the workplace are systematically identified to design preventive and control measures to reduce risk factors which are usually associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). As observed in the case study conducted by Gandomi et al (2021) in Kermanshah Oil Refinery, they have found out that chronic musculoskeletal pain, hyperkyphosis and hyperlordosis, and abnormal joint range of motion experienced by the staffs are all strongly correlated with poor workplace ergonomics. Aside from affecting worker's health, poor workplace design also appears to have direct influence on how productive the workers would be.…”