Abstract
Assembly lines are related to health risks and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), particularly of the neck and upper limbs (WULMSD). The assessment of perceived musculoskeletal symptoms is essential to WULMSD prevention, but studies in this field are lacking. A cross sectional survey on assembly line workers (n=270) was performed. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency and distribution of upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms in assembly line workers. Participants were predominantly men, with ages between 30 and 40 years. Neck and upper limbs pain/discomfort were the most reported symptoms (35.9%), with intensity predominantly moderate or severe. General Health Status and past musculoskeletal injury were the variables more related to the existence of musculoskeletal symptoms; longer working life in the same company, as under 5 years, were related to higher intensity of symptoms. An early identification of musculoskeletal symptoms and health surveillance over time is of most importance to develop WRULMSD prevention measures.
Highlights
Lines are related to occupational health risks, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), of the neck and upper limbs (WULMSD) and absenteeism (Eatough, Way, & Chang, 2012; Gold, d’Errico, Katz, Gore, & Punnett, 2009; Hagberg et al, 2012; Kitis, Celik, Aslan, & Zencir, 2009; Pullopdissakul, Ekpanyaskul, Taptagaporn, Bundhukul, & Thepchatri, 2013; Sadi, MacDermid, Chesworth, & Birmingham, 2007; Sancini et al, 2013; Spallek, Kuhn, Uibel, van Mark, & Quarcoo, 2010; Wang et al, 2009; Zebis et al, 2011)
Referring the intensity of musculoskeletal symptoms, in work context the majority of complaints intensity appear to be mild; our study points out higher values, being musculoskeletal pain over 4 in numeric pain scale (NPS) considered as significant (Werner et al, 2005)
general health status (GHS) and past musculoskeletal injury were the variables more related to the existence of musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and upper limbs, longer working life in the same company had associations to higher intensity symptoms as smaller periods. These results could suggest that chronic conditions prevention should start with younger workers (Macdonald, Driscoll, Stuckey, & Oakman, 2012). These data, along with the fact that our results showed no associations to age, goes on with other study, that reports that even though age and length of service at the same company could be expected to correlate with musculoskeletal symptoms, not existing associations could mean that the allocation of workers in certain tasks can influence musculoskeletal symptoms (Landau et al, 2008)
Summary
The introduction of new processes and automation decreased considerably some physical demands for the worker, assembly lines are associated to dynamic and high physical work tasks, as to repetitive movements and awkward postures, in extreme joint positions with force application, as to poor recovery time (Buckley, 2016; Edimansyah et al, 2008; Graham, Agnew, & Stevenson, 2009; Holtermann et al, 2010; Landau et al, 2008; Sancini et al, 2013; Serranheira, Uva, & Lopes, 2008; Sluiter, 2006; Sundstrup et al, 2013a, 2016). Disability, reduced quality of life, and loss of mental wellbeing are some of the main WULMSD consequences, with impact either in workers as in organizations (Andersen et al, 2010; Kee & Karwowski, 2007). These are prevalent and costly health conditions (Eerd et al., International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Safety, 1:1 (2017) 59-68. Despite workers in assembly lines are exposed to work risk factors of most importance to WULMSD development, the contribution of psychosocial/organizational and individual risk factors should be addressed, as their interaction, that changes to the worker (gender, age), workplace and organization (Eatough et al, 2012; Ellis et al, 2010; Johnston, Jimmieson, Jull, & Souvlis, 2009; Madan I, 2015; Oakman & Chan, 2015)
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