Automotive Assembly Workers Research Articles

Using fuzzy logic approach to predict work-related musculoskeletal disorders among automotive assembly workers.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are considered an important health concern, particularly in automotive assembly industries. Evaluation of the effects of all MSDs risk factors is difficult due to its multifactorial nature. In addition, the risk factors cannot be detected accurately when they are only based on individual opinions. Thus, in this study, fuzzy logic tool was used to evaluate the combined effects of all risk factors on MSDs. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 male workers in an automotive industry. Job satisfaction, job stress, job fatigue, and body posture were evaluated by a self-reported questionnaire. Body posture was evaluated using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Primary data analysis on extracting the input variables of MATLAB was performed by SPSS 22, with a significant level of 0.05. T test, one-way Anova, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to extract the input variables for the fuzzy logic model. The results obtained from the Nordic questionnaire was selected as the output of the fuzzy model. Fuzzy logic assessment was performed using MATLAB software version 7.0. Results: There were significant differences between WMSDs factors, including job fatigue, strain, working posture, and the REBA final score, and pain in all limbs of the body (p<0.05). A significant difference was also found between working posture with wrist score (p<0.05). The findings on defuzzification showed a strong correlation between real and modelling results. Conclusion: The results showed that many factors such as posture, fatigue, and strain affect MSDs. Based on the obtained results, all categories of risk factors, including personal, psychosocial, and occupational, should be considered to predict MSDs, which can be achieved by a modeling approach.

Using fuzzy logic approach to predict work-related musculoskeletal disorders among automotive assembly workers

Using fuzzy logic approach to predict work-related musculoskeletal disorders among automotive assembly workers

The effect of occupational noise exposure on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and salivary cortisol level among automotive assembly workers

Introduction. Both auditory and non-auditory health can be affected by exposure to occupational noise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of high occupational noise (at three levels) with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and salivary cortisol concentration in an automotive factory. Methods. This study was carried out on 78 male workers from a factory who worked in the warehouse unit (control group: 60–70 dB(A)) and assembly units (two test groups: 75–85 and 85–95 dB(A)). Data were collected through questionnaires and measurement of SBP, DBP, saliva cortisol concentration and body mass index (BMI), prior to and post occupational noise exposure. The measurements were performed twice/day and repeated after 10 days. Results. For each occupational noise level group, there was no significant association between cortisol level with age and BMI. The SBP and DBP in all groups increased significantly. Also, the average cortisol levels were similar in different groups before noise exposure, but were statistically different after occupational noise exposure. Conclusions. High occupational noise exposure increases the cortisol level and blood pressure, which are the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

0072 Lower-extremity musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue in automotive assembly workers

ObjectivesTo characterise the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue of the lower extremities (LE) in a large sample of workers in a large, unionised automotive assembly facility. To assess whether...

Biomechanical shoulder loads and postures in light automotive assembly workers: Comparison between shoulder pain/no pain groups

The number of workplace shoulder compensation claims resulting from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has decreased slightly in recent years, however the median number of days off work remains unchanged, which suggests an increase in injury severity. Little information is available regarding cumulative shoulder exposures, and there is no information on their impact on shoulder pain. Seventy-nine automotive seat frame assembly workers completed a questionnaire about the prevalence and severity of shoulder pain and were videotaped performing assembly tasks. 3DMatch, a posture-matching software program, was used to calculate the peak and cumulative shoulder moments and forces by matching postures seen in the video with predetermined ranges of posture to be used in the biomechanical model. Of the 45.6% who reported shoulder pain, there was a mild correlation of pain severity with posterior shear of the shoulder. There were no significant differences in peak loads between Pain and No Pain groups; however, the No Pain group experienced significantly more cumulative caudal shear. Although there was no difference in percent time spent in different flexed postures between pain groups, those working some jobs may be at an increased risk of developing MSDs based on the amount of time spent in flexed postures, as well as the peak flexion moment acting on the shoulder.

Effects of short duration stress management training on self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress in male automotive assembly workers: a quasi-experimental study

To examine the effects of short duration stress management training (SMT) on self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress in male automotive assembly workers, 118 male automotive workers from Pekan, Pahang (n = 60, mean age = 40.0 years, SD = 6.67) and Kota Bharu, Kelantan (n = 58, mean age = 38.1 years, SD = 5.86) were assigned to experimental and control group, respectively. A SMT program consisting of aerobic exercise, stress management manual, video session, lecture, question and answer session, and pamphlet and poster session were conducted in the experimental group. A validated short-form Malay version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) were self-administered before and after the intervention program in the experimental and control group and their time and group interaction effects were examined using the repeated measure ANOVA test. Results indicated that the mean (SD) scores for DASS-Depression (p = 0.036) and DASS-Anxiety (p = 0.011) were significantly decreased, respectively, after the intervention program in the experimental group as compared to the control group (significant time-group interaction effects). No similar effect was observed for the mean (SD) scores for DASS-Stress (p = 0.104). However, the mean (SD) scores for subscales of DASS-Depression (Dysphoria, p = 0.01), DASS-Anxiety (Subjective Anxiety, p = 0.007, Situational Anxiety, p = 0.048), and DASS-Stress (Nervous Arousal, p = 0.018, Easily Upset, p = 0.047) showed significant time and group interaction effects. These findings suggest that short duration SMT is effective in reducing some aspects of self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress in male automotive workers.

Working conditions, self-perceived stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life: A structural equation modelling approach

BackgroundThe relationships between working conditions [job demand, job control and social support]; stress, anxiety, and depression; and perceived quality of life factors [physical health, psychological wellbeing, social relationships and environmental conditions] were assessed using a sample of 698 male automotive assembly workers in Malaysia.MethodsThe validated Malay version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was applied to test the structural relationships of the model using AMOS version 6.0, with the maximum likelihood ratio as the method of estimation.ResultsThe results of the SEM supported the hypothesized structural model (χ2 = 22.801, df = 19, p = 0.246). The final model shows that social support (JCQ) was directly related to all 4 factors of the WHOQOL-BREF and inversely related to depression and stress (DASS). Job demand (JCQ) was directly related to stress (DASS) and inversely related to the environmental conditions (WHOQOL-BREF). Job control (JCQ) was directly related to social relationships (WHOQOL-BREF). Stress (DASS) was directly related to anxiety and depression (DASS) and inversely related to physical health, environment conditions and social relationships (WHOQOL-BREF). Anxiety (DASS) was directly related to depression (DASS) and inversely related to physical health (WHOQOL-BREF). Depression (DASS) was inversely related to the psychological wellbeing (WHOQOL-BREF). Finally, stress, anxiety and depression (DASS) mediate the relationships between job demand and social support (JCQ) to the 4 factors of WHOQOL-BREF.ConclusionThese findings suggest that higher social support increases the self-reported quality of life of these workers. Higher job control increases the social relationships, whilst higher job demand increases the self-perceived stress and decreases the self-perceived quality of life related to environmental factors. The mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress on the relationship between working conditions and perceived quality of life in automotive workers should be taken into account in managing stress amongst these workers.

Self-perceived Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Their Relationships with Psychosocial Job Factors in Male Automotive Assembly Workers

Depression, anxiety and stress have been recognized as important mental outcome measures in stressful working settings. The present study explores the prevalence of self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress; and their relationships with psychosocial job factors. A cross-sectional study involving 728 male automotive assembly workers was conducted in two major automotive assembly plants in Malaysia using the validated Malay versions of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Based on the DASS cut-off of > or =78 percentile scores, the prevalence of self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress was 35.4%, 47.2% and 31.1%, respectively. Four (0.5%), 29 (4.0%) and 2 (0.3%) workers, respectively, reported extremely severe self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress. Multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for age, education, salary, duration of work and marital status, revealed that psychological job demand, job insecurity and hazardous condition were positively associated with DASS-Depression, DASS-Anxiety and DASS-Stress; supervisor support was inversely associated with DASS-Depression and DASS-Stress. We suggest that reducing psychological job demand, job insecurity and hazardous condition factors may improve the self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress in male automotive assembly workers. Supervisor support is protective for self-perceived depression and stress.

Relationship of Psychosocial Work Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in Male Automotive Assembly Workers in Malaysia

The present study investigates the relationship between psychosocial work factors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in male automotive assembly plant workers in Malaysia. A total of 728 male workers were recruited in March-July 2005 from 2 major automotive assembly plants in Selangor and Pahang. In this cross-sectional study, information on socio-demography, psychosocial work factors using the 97-item Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and an abbreviated 26-item version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire containing 4 domains (physical health, psychological, social relationship, and environment) was self-administered to all workers involved. The prevalence of reported good or very good overall HRQOL and general health was 64.9% and 53.7%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that created skill was positively associated with physical health and psychological domains; whilst, skill discretion was positively associated with social relationship and environment domains. Social support was positively associated with physical health and environment domains; whilst, co-worker support was positively associated with psychological and social relationship domains. Job insecurity and hazardous condition were negatively associated with all domains, whilst psychological job demands was negatively associated with the environment domain of HRQOL.

Chronic noise exposure, high-frequency hearing loss and hypertension among automotive assembly workers : J Occupat Med, 1990, 32.8, 685–689, 20 refs

The prevalence of hypertension and mean blood pressure was studied in 150 white men and 119 black men exposed to industrial noise of 85 dBA or greater for a minimum of 5 years. Mean decibel loss at 4000 Hz was 28.3 among the black workers and 45.3 among the white workers. 31.9% of the black men and 22.0% of the white men had hypertension, defined as diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg and/or currently taking hypertensive medication. After controlling for several potential confounding factors, hearing loss at 4000 Hz and years worked in high-noise departments were significantly associated with mean blood pressure and hypertension among the black workers. No correlation between mean blood pressure or the presence of hypertension and hearing loss at 4000 Hz or years worked in high-noise departments was found among the white workers.