Working conditions and prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in metalworking machine operators

Abstract

The high prevalence of musculoskeletal syndrome (MSS), which causes absence from work and disability and significant treatment costs, determines the relevance of studying the features of its formation, including in connection with production factors. The study aims to determine the hygienic assessment of working conditions and the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in various departments of the musculoskeletal system of machine-building workers in metalworking. The researchers formed observation groups: operators of metalworking machines with an experience of 1-5 years and 6-10 years, comparison groups - administrative and technical personnel on the principle of the same age and experience. Time-lapse studies allowed us to assess the severity and intensity of the work. In addition, we have studied the prevalence and nature of complaints using a questionnaire. Scientists have established the leading production factors that determine the severity of the work of machine operators: weight of the lifted and moved cargo; body tilts; the working pose of "standing with the tilt" (class working conditions 3.2). We identified a higher prevalence of complaints of pain in different parts of the spine; they are more intense, a marked increase in the majority of pain in the dynamics of employment, the relationship of their origin working in professional teams of operators compared to the control (p≤0,01-0,001). The calculation of the Pearson conjugacy coefficient confirmed a pronounced relationship between the prevalence of MSS and the severity of childbirth. The authors have established a high and very high degree of etiological conditionality of the MSS by the nature of the work. Factors of the work process of machine operators (working pose "standing with a tilt", lifting and carrying weights, torso bends) cause the appearance of nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. All this should be taken into account when planning preventive measures.