Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Articles

Osteomuscular health of physical educativo teacher working in gyms

The study aimed to analyze the musculoskeletal health of Physical Education Teacher (PET) working in gyms, with the intention of contributing to the prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) and work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). A total of 39 PET (76.3% men) working in gyms participated in the research. Through an online questionnaire, they responded to a personal and professional history questionnaire and filled out a musculoskeletal symptoms diagram to assess discomfort in 27 parts of the body. The results revealed the presence of discomfort in the neck, mid-back region, and upper and lower limbs, with emphasis on the arm and knee among women. Furthermore, a significant correlation (p=0.002) was observed between complaints of body pain and injuries in the last year, especially among women (60%, compared to 31% of men). Thus, the findings suggest that PETs exhibit a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, especially among women. To mitigate the risk of injuries among female physical education teachers in gyms, it is crucial to implement strategies that recognize and address the unique social pressures they face. However, additional studies with these professionals are recommended to fully clarify the triggering factors of RSI and MSD.

Evaluating the categorisation of interventions in individual working practice aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders: An international experts consultation

In a previous scoping review, eight categories of interventions in individual work practice were defined. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relevance and completeness of these eight categories and to increase the clarity of the nomenclature and definitions of each category. An international expert consultation has been carried out for this purpose. Thirty-eight experts from 13 countries participated. Data collection was conducted using a survey design comprising structured questions. Consensus was reached if 75% of the experts answered ‘Strongly agree’ or ‘Agree’ on a 5-point Likert scale. For the topic ‘Relevance’, there was consensus for six of the eight categories (range 78%–86%), the exceptions were the categories: ‘Exercising’ (72%) and ‘Professional manners' (64%). With regard to the topic ‘Nomenclature’, consensus was reached for six categories and for the topic ‘Definition’ this was five categories. The present definitions have been improved based on the expert recommendations. With respect to the topic ‘Completeness’: although a limited number of suggestions were given, this did not lead to one or more categories being added to the existing eight categories. The final ‘Nomenclature’ for the categories is: ‘Variation’, ‘Professional behaviour’, ‘Motoric skills’, ‘Vocational working techniques’, ‘Physical workplace’, ‘Physical training’, ‘Assistive devices and tools’ and ‘Task content and task organisation’. This expert consultation has provided a solid basis for endorsing the categorisation of interventions in IWP and is an important step in building a framework to develop and evaluate interventions in IWP.

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Passive Exoskeleton for Enhancing Ergonomics in Manufacturing

Manual material handling (MMH) significantly impacts worker health and productivity, often leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) primarily in the lower back. As a novel assistive technology, exoskeletons may serve as ergonomic tools to mitigate these work-related MSDs. It is essential to examine exoskeletons from the users’ perspectives before their widespread implementation in occupational settings. This study investigates the effectiveness of a passive back-support exoskeleton (BExo) in reducing perceived physical exertion and improving ergonomic safety in a manufacturing context. Twenty-two college students were recruited to perform MMH tasks in a controlled lab environment, both with and without the BExo, followed by completing a survey questionnaire on various aspects of the BExo. Using ANOVA, the study analyzed biomechanical exertion across various body parts and tasks. The findings indicate that the BExo substantially alleviated discomfort and physical exertion in the low back, shoulders and knees, thereby enhancing an ergonomic posture and reducing fatigue. These results underscore the potential of passive exoskeletons to boost workers’ safety and efficiency, providing valuable insights for future ergonomic strategies in industrial settings.

Framework for the adoption, evaluation and impact of occupational Exoskeletons at different technology readiness levels: A systematic review

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are the most common occupational diseases caused by the prolonged performance of strenuous work, such as manual handling of loads or long-term maintenance of incongruous postures. Different safety protocols are implemented to reduce WMSDs and optimize the working environment, but one of the most promising solutions is using occupational exoskeletons (OEs). However, to truly acknowledge the benefits of OEs and be able to introduce them into daily business use, devices must pass several development and testing stages that determine the Technology Readiness Level (TRL). This review study aims to present an up-to-date collection of the most advanced assessments of exoskeletons for upper and back support, ranging from laboratory real-task simulations to operational scenarios in industrial sites. To identify relevant studies, we conducted comprehensive searches across different electronic databases, i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Different keywords were used for the literature search, e.g., occupational exoskeleton, industrial exoskeleton, etc. Studies were included if they investigated the assessment of exoskeletons in the laboratory with real tasks or an industrial environment. We identified 45 research articles that fulfilled this selection criterion. Several features are compared and discussed in detail, such as industrial environment, experimental protocol, task performed, and exoskeleton typology. These data allowed us to formulate results that report the correspondence or discrepancy between the number of papers testing exoskeletons and WMSDs in different industrial sectors, the type of assessment performed, and the impact of exoskeletons on workers and industries at different TRLs. Among the results, the incidence of WMSDs in the manufacturing industry is 21.13%, while the adoption of exoskeletons in the same field is the highest with respect to the other industrial fields, at 44.45%. Electromyography (EMG) and Questionnaires were the most evaluated typologies across all development and testing stages (with an incidence of 64% across the selected articles). Additionally, an average reduction of EMG activity was reported, with 24% for Upper Limb and 20% for Back Support. Regarding the subjective assessment reported in the questionnaires, 68% of the studies reported a positive evaluation. Based on these outcomes, this work provides a framework for an effective evaluation process for the OEs to raise TRL with recommendations for future research activities.

Occupational health and safety portrait of lobster fishers from a St. Lawrence Gulf community

Lobstering industry workers are known to have poor overall health and low safety records, but there is still a gap in information concerning Canadian lobster fishers. This study aimed to report occupational health and safety characteristics of an Atlantic Canada community of lobster fishers and to assess differences between captains and deckhands. Twenty-eight participants (10 captains, 18 deckhands) were questioned and self-reported on lifestyle, general health status, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries. The data collected reveal both groups’ high prevalence of cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health issues. Captains reported more occupational exposition and health issues, and showed poorer lifestyle habits than deckhands. Fishers reported potential solutions to reduce occupational risks, presented as three types: lifestyle, working behaviours and leadership. This study evaluated a community of Canadian lobster fishers regarding their occupational health and safety. Potential avenues for mitigating occupational risk specific to this community will nurture future implementation.

Consistency between the ACGIH TLV for hand activity and proposed action levels for wrist velocity and forearm muscular load based on objective measurements: an example from the assembly industry

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the consistency between results of the American Conference for Governmental Occupational Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for hand activity and proposed action levels of objective measurements in risk assessments of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Methods. Wrist velocities and forearm muscular load were measured for 11 assemblers during one working day. Simultaneously, each assembler’s hand activity level (HAL) during three sub-cycles was rated twice on two separate occasions by two experts, using a HAL scale. Arm/hand exertion was also rated by the assemblers themselves using a Borg scale. In total, 66 sub-cycles were assessed and assigned to three exposure categories: A) below ACGIH action limit (AL) (green); B) between AL and TLV (yellow); and C) above TLV (red). The median wrist velocity and the 90th percentile of forearm muscular load obtained from the objective measurements corresponding to the sub-cycles were calculated and assigned to two exposure categories: A) below or C) above the proposed action level. Results. The agreement between ACGIH TLV for hand activity and the proposed action level for wrist velocity was 87%. Conclusions. The proposed action level for wrist velocity is highly consistent with the TLV. Additional studies are needed to confirm the results.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in oral health professionals: an umbrella review protocol.

The objective of this review is to synthesize the evidence on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, and preventive and management interventions for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in oral health professionals. Oral health professionals face a considerable risk of developing work-related MSD due to the nature of their work. These disorders can lead to loss of employment, reduced job quality, increased occupational injuries, and early retirement. They can also lead to significant financial burdens for employers and society. This umbrella review will include systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have oral health professionals as a population group and address at least one of the following topics: the prevalence or incidence, risk factors, and the efficiency or effectiveness of interventions for the prevention or management of work-related MSD. A systematic search will be conducted across CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library (Ovid), Scopus, PsycINFO (Ovid), AMED Allied and Complementary Medicine (Ovid), Epistemonikos, Ergonomics Abstracts Online (EBSCOhost), and Google Scholar (first 200 articles). The search will be limited to articles published in English, with no restrictions on geographical location. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts against the inclusion criteria. The reviews will be assessed using the JBI critical appraisal instrument for systematic reviews and research syntheses, and data will be extracted from each review using a modified version of the JBI data extraction tool. A narrative summary and tables will be used to describe the review characteristics and findings. Results will be presented in a table using visual indicators (traffic light system) to represent beneficial, neutral, and negative effects with each risk factor and intervention. The GRADE approach will be used to rate the overall quality and strength of the evidence. PROSPERO CRD42023388779.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue and stress among gas station workers in China: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are disorders of the musculoskeletal system that have the highest prevalence among workers worldwide. Workers in gas stations usually work in poor ergonomic working conditions, including...

Trends in severity of work-related traumatic injury and musculoskeletal disorder, Ontario 2004-2017.

Traumatic injury surveillance can be enhanced by describing injury severity trends. This study reports trends in work-related injury severity for males and females over the period 2004-2017 in Ontario, Canada. A weighted measure of workers' compensation benefit expenditures was used to define injury severity, obtained from the linkage of workers' compensation claims to emergency department (ED) records where the main injury or illness was attributed to work. Denominator counts were obtained from Statistics Canada's Labor Force Survey. Trends in the annual incidence of injury, classified as low, moderate, or high severity, were examined using regression modeling, stratified by age and sex. Over a 14-year observation period, there were 1,636,866 ED records included in the analyses. Overall, 57.6% of occupational injury records were classified as low severity, 29.5% as moderate severity, and 12.8% as high severity conditions. There was an increase in the incidence of high severity injuries among females (annual percent change (APC): 1.52%; 95% CI: 0.77, 2.28), while the incidence of low and moderate severity injuries generally declined for males and females. Among females, injuries attributed to animate mechanical forces and assault increased as causes of low, moderate, and high severity injuries. The incidence of concussion increased for both males (APC: 10.51%; 95% CI: 8.18, 12.88) and females (APC: 16.37%; 95% CI: 13.37, 19.45). The incidence of severe work-related injuries increased among females in Ontario between 2004 and 2017. The methods applied in this surveillance study of traumatic injury severity are plausibly generalizable to applications in other jurisdictions.

Ergonomic Design as a Determinant for the Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office-Based Civil Servants in Ondo State, Nigeria

Several reformations in the Civil Service have transformed the day-to-day activities in the sector from paper to the use of computer sets. However, the use of computer is characterized with high sedentary lifestyles and repetitive tasks among office-based workers, but there are limited studies conducted to evaluate the effect of this new working condition among civil servants. This study was conducted to investigate ergonomic design as a determinant of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office-based Civil Servants in Ondo State, Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained for this study. The study was a cross-sectional design using multistage sampling techniques to recruit 308 respondents. Structured and adapted questionnaires were used to assess ergonomic designs in offices and prevalence of pain. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, descriptive statistics was used for sociodemographic of respondents and Spearman rho’s correlation coefficient was used to compare relationship between variables. Results were presented in tables and charts. Majority of the respondents were female, married and between the ages 30-34. The mean age of the respondents was 36.21±8.75 years. 35 of the respondents were confounders and were exempted from completing the study on pain. There was 92.7%, 59.1% and 19.4% of 12 months, one week and point pain prevalence respectively among the 273 respondents that participated fully in the study. Most respondents have poor knowledge of ergonomics (61.9%) but 96.7% have good ergonomic practices (96.7%). There was no significant relationship between ergonomic design and prevalence of WRMSD (r=0.090, p=0.136), but there was a significant relationship between ergonomic practice and ergonomic awareness (r=0.247, p=0.001). Also, there was significant relationship between office ergonomic practice and prevalence of WRMSD (r=-0.142, p=0.019). Ergonomic design is not a determinant for the prevalence of WRMSD. However, the knowledge and correct practice of ergonomic among office-based civil servants can help to reduce the prevalence of WRMSD. Therefore, it is recommended that government should ensure the implementation of correct ergonomic practices in Civil Service. Also, government should provide regular trainings such as seminars and conferences on ergonomics for their workers.

The Impact of Ergonomic Technology on the Prevalence of Work-Related Low Back Pain Among Physical Therapists in the South West Bank

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent work-related musculoskeletal disorder that significantly impacts the health and productivity of physical therapists. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of work-related low back pain (WRLBP) among physical therapists in the South West Bank of Palestine, identify the associated risk factors, and develop effective prevention and control strategies. A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing online questionnaires to collect data from 77 physical therapists working in various healthcare settings. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used to analyze the data, revealing that 94.8% of participants experienced LBP, with factors such as gender, daily working hours, and prolonged bad posture being significantly associated with LBP. The impact of LBP on job performance and absenteeism was substantial, with many participants reporting reduced work efficiency and frequent absences. The findings underscore the need for targeted ergonomic interventions and posture education to mitigate the high prevalence of LBP among physical therapists.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Goldsmiths of Suha Bazaar, Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent across various industries, significantly affecting workers' health and productivity. The intricate and repetitive tasks in goldsmithing, a traditional craft, pose a high risk for the development of MSDs, particularly in regions like Suha Bazaar, Lahore, where ergonomic practices are often overlooked. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and specific areas of musculoskeletal discomfort among goldsmiths in Suha Bazaar, Lahore, and to identify potential ergonomic and workplace modifications to mitigate these disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, involving 122 professional goldsmiths selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Participants were aged 20 to 70 years, with at least three years of professional experience. Data were collected using the Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms, with additional demographic and occupational information gathered. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, focusing on descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Ethical approval was obtained, and all participants provided informed consent. Results: The study found that 40.2% of participants experienced discomfort in the upper back, 38.0% in the neck, and 27.9% in both shoulders. The average age of participants was 39.52 years (SD = 12.16), and the majority (86.9%) worked between 40-45 hours per week. Most participants (35.2%) had over 20 years of experience in the field. Conclusion: The high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in critical areas such as the upper back and neck among goldsmiths in Suha Bazaar indicates an urgent need for ergonomic interventions and workplace improvements. Implementing ergonomic solutions and training on proper posture could significantly enhance occupational health and productivity in this traditional craft. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Goldsmiths, Ergonomics, Occupational Health, Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, SPSS Analysis, Suha Bazaar, Lahore, Cross-Sectional Study.

Prevalence of Neck Pain in Physiotherapist

Background: Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders among health professionals, including physiotherapists, who are often involved in activities that include holding a posture for a longer duration and performance of repetitive movements. The increased usage of smartphones and laptops enhances bad postures, particularly bending of the neck in flexion, adding to the problems related to neck pain. Objective: The present study has been taken up to assess the prevalence of neck pain among physiotherapists and their relation with gender and age. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 physiotherapists, of which 63 were females and 37 were males. Neck pain prevalence was assessed with the Neck Disability Index questionnaire. Data collection was done in person from November 2023 to February 2024. Results were statistically analyzed, with descriptive statistics shown in tabulations, graphs, and figures. Results: The overall prevalence of neck pain among the participants was 64%. In accordance with the NDI scale, the physiotherapists self-reported 39% to have mild disability; 23%, moderate disability; only 2% were severely disabled and none with complete disability. On a gender basis, females revealed a slightly higher prevalence of neck pain, 25%, compared to their male counterparts, 24%. Conclusion: In this study, a high prevalence of neck pain was found among physiotherapists, with a slightly increased occurrence in females. These findings bring out the importance of increasing awareness toward ergonomic practices and health regarding posture to decrease neck pain in physiotherapists. The modifiable risk factors identified will have an emphasis on the promotion of good postures with lifestyle modifications to aid in the prevention of neck pain in physiotherapists. Making these changes and taking up appropriate treatments form an important aspect of the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Ethical gamified health communication intervention to prevent Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) in Myanmar migrants at Thailand's seafood factory: A study protocol

Background Thailand's seafood industry heavily depends on Myanmar migrant workers, who face significant occupational health issues, including an increase in work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Due to linguistic and cultural limitations, traditional health communication strategies often fail to reach this population. This study explores the effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically tailored gamified health communication intervention aimed at preventing WMSDs in Myanmar migrant workers in a Thai seafood factory. Methods The intervention is developed and then implemented in two phases. The objective of the study is to develop, implement, and evaluate a gamified health intervention for Myanmar migrant workers that will prevent WMSDs. The intervention is customized to the workers' cultural background and work natures through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and expert reviews. The intervention then consists of a set of 12 exercises designed to prevent the WMSDs. The Intervention’s impact is assessed through pre- and post-intervention evaluations measuring changes in knowledge, awareness, and self-reported musculoskeletal health. Results Since this is a study protocol, precise findings are not yet available. The target audience is expected to adopt safe work practices more frequently, have better physical health, and have a greater understanding of WMSDs. Conclusions This protocol describes a novel way to use a culturally-tailored and ethically appropriate gamified health communication intervention to address the health issues (such as WMSDs) experienced by Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand's seafood industry. This technique may serve as a model for comparable health promotion initiatives in other labour-intensive industries and migrant worker groups, promoting better awareness and prevention of WMSDs. Registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) (TCTR20240515003, Registration Date: 15 May 2024).

Functional limitations and the use of rehabilitation therapies among brazilian adults with chronic diseases

Objective: We aim to analyze the functional limitations and the use of rehabilitation therapies among brazilian adults with chronic diseases. Methods: This is a population-based survey with data from the 2013 National Health Survey. There was selected a subsample of the adult population who reported chronic diseases (stroke, arthritis, work-related musculoskeletal disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or reported back pain), and that also reported moderate to very intense limitations of their activities. The outcome was the use of rehabilitation therapies. A logistic regression model was estimated, with a 95% confidence interval, adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Results: Among brazilian adults, 24.8% were diagnosed with a stroke, arthritis, work-related musculoskeletal disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or reported back pain. Among these, 34.6% reported having moderate, intense, or very intense limitations in their daily activities due to illnesses, and, among this population, 26.3% performed some rehabilitation therapy related to their conditions. The use of rehabilitation therapies was more frequent among the female population, with higher education, higher socioeconomic status, older, and living in the southern macro-region of Brazil. Conclusions: Among brazilians with functional limitations due to chronic diseases, the low frequency of rehabilitation therapies utilization may be associated with barriers to access health services.

Are we straining to succeed? Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists in teaching hospitals.

To determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Islamabad, Pakistan, from January to March 2023 after approval from the ethics review committee of the Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad, and comprised dentists associated with 4 major dental teaching hospitals in the city. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from literature. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was explored along with its association with variables, like age, gender, experience, designation and history of injury. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. Of the 250 forms distributed, 188 (75.2%) were returned duly filled, while the remaining participants either did not respond or partially filled out the forms. Among the respondents, 64(34%) were males and 124(66%) were females, and the overall prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 172(91.5%). There was no significant difference among the variables based on anatomic site-specific data, except the designation variable, with individuals having a history of injury to neck (p=0.027) or shoulder (p=0.001) and those designated as professor (p=0.040) were significantly at risk of developing pain due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. A significantly high number of dentists were found to have some form of work-related musculoskeletal disorder.

Assessing the Short-Term Effects of Dual Back-Support Exoskeleton within Logistics Operations

Logistics activities involve significant risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), particularly low back pain. Exoskeletons have emerged as potential solutions to mitigate these risks. This study assesses the short-term effects of dual passive back-support exoskeletons (Auxivo and Htrius) on WMSD risk factors in logistics operations. Two workstations were evaluated using self-report ratings, postural assessment, and surface electromyography (EMG). The results indicate that both exoskeletons provided relief and support during tasks, with Htrius showing a slight advantage. Exoskeletons reduced perceived exertion, especially during trunk flexion tasks, and improved posture, particularly in tasks involving manual lifting loads at lower height levels. While variations in muscular activity were observed, the Htrius exoskeleton showed a trend of reducing lumbar muscle activity. Overall, Htrius demonstrated promise in improving workers’ comfort, safety, and efficiency, potentially reducing WMSD risk and muscular fatigue. However, individual preferences and workplace-specific characteristics should be considered when selecting exoskeleton models. Future research should explore the effects on different loads, genders, and EMG of different muscles to further enhance the understanding and application of exoskeletons in occupational contexts.

Comparison of Six Sensor Fusion Algorithms with Electrogoniometer Estimation of Wrist Angle in Simulated Work Tasks.

Hand-intensive work is strongly associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of the hand/wrist and other upper body regions across diverse occupations, including office work, manufacturing, services, and healthcare. Addressing the prevalence of WMSDs requires reliable and practical exposure measurements. Traditional methods like electrogoniometry and optical motion capture, while reliable, are expensive and impractical for field use. In contrast, small inertial measurement units (IMUs) may provide a cost-effective, time-efficient, and user-friendly alternative for measuring hand/wrist posture during real work. This study compared six orientation algorithms for estimating wrist angles with an electrogoniometer, the current gold standard in field settings. Six participants performed five simulated hand-intensive work tasks (involving considerable wrist velocity and/or hand force) and one standardised hand movement. Three multiplicative Kalman filter algorithms with different smoothers and constraints showed the highest agreement with the goniometer. These algorithms exhibited median correlation coefficients of 0.75-0.78 for flexion/extension and 0.64 for radial/ulnar deviation across the six subjects and five tasks. They also ranked in the top three for the lowest mean absolute differences from the goniometer at the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of wrist flexion/extension (9.3°, 2.9°, and 7.4°, respectively). Although the results of this study are not fully acceptable for practical field use, especially for some work tasks, they indicate that IMU-based wrist angle estimation may be useful in occupational risk assessments after further improvements.

Ergonomic analysis in nuclear decommissioning: A comprehensive path planning strategy for workers well-being

Recent studies on path planning in nuclear decommissioning focus on efficient algorithms, often overlooking workers’ physical and cognitive well-being. However, there is a need to consider the effect of the paths recommended by algorithms on workers’ health to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study introduces a computational dynamic body map tool designed to assess and monitor musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers in high-risk decommissioning environments. Utilizing color-coded body maps, the study identifies key ergonomic risk factors and their impact on different body parts. The strategy begins by identifying job tasks requiring ergonomic assessment, distilling the tasks into different activities and the time spent on each activity, and using the result to dynamically compute the average pain severity experienced by workers across different body parts. Subsequent body mapping, hazard surveys, and structured interviews are used to rank workplace risks and worker-specific risk factors. The major contribution of this work is the development of a computational dynamic tool to regularly track worker body maps regularly, ensuring optimal performance. To evaluate the proposed strategy, the study utilized data from a 35-response online MSD questionnaire for safety professionals. To demonstrate the methodology across diverse roles, 10 worker examples were analyzed, aligning with 5 key IAEA nuclear decommissioning categories. Analysis of the computational dynamic body map data reveals specific pain distributions among workers. The most severe pain occurs in the lower back (13.08 %), followed by the right wrist/hand (10 %), the right shoulder, the left elbow (8.46 % each), the left shoulder, the upper back (7.69 % each), the neck and the left wrist/hand (6.92 % each). The findings further reveal that the 36–45 years age category experiences the most pain. In addition, awkward posture was found in the study to be the most likely ergonomic risk factor affecting workers. The results show that incorporating ergonomics into path planning aids risk-informed decision-making for ergonomic interventions and continuous monitoring to maintain a safe and healthier workplace. Integrating the tool presented in this work with a conventional path-planning algorithm provides a comprehensive path-planning strategy for nuclear decommissioning.

The Digital Economy and Hybrid Work Call for a Review of Compensation Criteria for Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) pose a significant occupational health challenge in Europe. The digitization of the economy substantially reshaped the nature and organization of work. The proliferation of hybrid working, characterized by a combination of office-based and remote work, has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This review covers hybrid forms of work, their impact on WRMSDs, and the potential implications for WRMSD compensation. Approximately 30-40% of the European workforce could potentially transition to hybrid forms of work. Hybrid work arrangements can result in prolonged static postures of the trunk, neck, and upper limbs without adequate breaks, thereby increasing the risk of neck and lower back pain. As teleworking and hybrid working become more prevalent, an increase in non-specific WRMSDs is anticipated among the working population. In many countries, claims for WRMSDs necessitate a formal diagnosis by a healthcare professional. However, cases of non-specific WRMSDs, such as cervicalgia or chronic shoulder pain, - commonly observed in sedentary workers engaged in predominantly low-intensity, prolonged static work amid visually and cognitively demanding tasks - often do not meet the criteria for compensation as occupational diseases. The compensation system and/or the criteria for compensation must be adapted to accommodate the rise of telework, necessitating evolving criteria for compensation that address both medical and risk exposure considerations.