scholarly journals Quebec Research on Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie N. Côté ◽  
Suzy Ngomo ◽  
Susan Stock ◽  
Karen Messing ◽  
Nicole Vézina ◽  
...  

This paper aimed to demonstrate the contribution of the research performed by the musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) Research Axis group of the Quebec Occupational Health and Safety Research Network towards better understanding of work-related MSD (WMSD) development and prevention. Although the group targets its work to the Quebec population, its work has significant impact around the world, placing MSD axis members and knowledge and expertise created in Quebec on the international map. Results from the contribution of members are relevant, primarily in the demonstration of the implication of physical workload as well as organizational and psychosocial work-related factors in the development of WMSDs. Also, members have demonstrated that gender, sex, social class, age and ethno-cultural groups interact in various ways with WMSD determinants. Efforts are devoted towards improving understanding of the physiological responses linked with MSDs, which could also lead to new workplace practices in rehabilitation. The group emphasizes the integration of prevention procedures from the design stage to the workplace intervention. Members have proposed research-based tools for best practices at work and also an original conceptual model as a key, novel element of a theoretical conceptualization of WMSDs. Moreover, the group focuses on improving WMSD surveillance, using multiple sources of information, providing information on newly identified health risks and developing new methods of assessing risk in order to effectively prevent disability in the working population. Finally, results from research of the MSD axis group have implications for orienting legal processes, improving legal recognition of MSDs as occupational diseases, and contributing to the evolution of legal thinking. However, much remains to be done. To that end, the group plans and encourages new initiatives for further advancement. In conclusion, the originality of the work places the group in a favourable position to address the complexity underlying WMSDs, combining expertise that enriches fundamental, clinical and population-based research.

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Banibrata Das ◽  
Somnath Gangopadhyay ◽  
Tirthankar Ghosh

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the major health hazards among farmers. Pre-adolescents are mainly associated with agricultural work due to poor socioeconomic conditions. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to implement a new ergonomics aid for the betterment of job procedures and improvement of productivity, health, and safety of the preadolescent farmers. METHODS: 100 male and 100 female preadolescent farmers were randomly selected from the villages of Tarakeswar, West Bengal, India, to evaluate and reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders, physiological stress. Modified Nordic questionnaires, Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scale, and handgrip strength were assessed before and after using the ergonomics aid. RESULTS: The results of the study show that there was a significant change (decrease) in discomfort in the lower back, wrists, shoulder, and hands among preadolescent farmers when using the newly designed ergonomic aid. Handgrip strength increased and physiological stress was decreased among preadolescent farmers in post-intervention than pre-intervention in just after work conditions. Productivity has been increased in farming by decreasing absenteeism from work with the use of ergonomic aid. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that productivity has been increased in farming by decreasing absenteeism from work as well as by using the ergonomic aid the discomfort feeling has been decreased markedly.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Waters ◽  
Hilda Palmer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how work-related suicides are monitored, investigated and regulated in the UK, examining a small selection of cases and drawing on international comparison with other countries. Effective data collection and regulation are the cornerstone of suicide prevention, and this paper aims to consider whether the UK’s current regulatory framework provides an effective basis for preventing work-related suicides. Design/methodology/approach This study draws on qualitative sociological methods and is based on an in-depth analysis of 12 suicide cases occurring between 2015 and 2020. In each case, work-related causal factors had been previously identified by at least one official source (police enquiry, coroner or employer’s investigation). This study analysed multiple sources of documentation and undertook interviews with individuals close to each suicide case. The aim of this study was to consider the organisational response of three stakeholder organisations to the suicides: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the coroner and the employer. Findings The study points to serious shortcomings in the UK’s regulatory response to work-related suicides. Suicides are currently not recorded, investigated or regulated. Whereas the fracture of an arm or leg in the workplace needs to be reported to the HSE for further investigation, a suicide occurring in the workplace or that is work-related does not need to be reported to any public agency. Employers are not required to investigate an employee suicide or make any changes to workplace policies and practices in the aftermath of a suicide. The work-related factors that may have caused one suicide may, therefore, continue to pose health and safety risks to other employees. Originality/value Whereas some recent studies have examined work-related suicides within specific occupations in the UK, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the UK’s regulatory framework for work-related suicides. The study on which the paper is based produced a set of recommendations that were targeted at key stakeholder organisations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Agus Wiranto ◽  
Iwan M Ramdan ◽  
Dina Lusiana

Rice milling is an informal sector which still lacks attention in terms of occupational health and safety aspects. Health problems experienced by one of them are complaints of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which have an impact on decreasing work productivity. This study aims to determine the factors that influence complaints of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in rice milling workers in Sepaku Sub-district, Penajam Paser Utara Regency. This research is a quantitative study with cross sectional research design. Sampling using purposive sampling method that amounted to 35 people. Data analysis used the rank-spearman test with a significance level of 0.05 (5%). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between work posture (p = 0,000) and the risk of manual handling material (MMH) (p = 0.005), with complaints of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Whereas in the physical workload, there was no association with complaints of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (p = 0.095). It is suggested for workers to do material manual handling (MMH) with the correct procedure, reduce awkward work postures during work and stretch the muscles before working and adequate rest so as to reduce fatigue and perceived muscle tension.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-118
Author(s):  
Cecilia Wahlström Edling ◽  
Anncristine Fjellman-Wiklund

To play a musical instrument, such as the violin or flute, requires controlled, adequate movements performed by the arm, hand, and fingers in an asymmetric playing posture. The movements are monotonous and often of long duration, involving static and repetitive muscle work of the upper extremity and neck-shoulder muscles. This situation may lead to an increased risk of contracting musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between physical workload, defined as playing posture and playing time per week, and musculoskeletal disorders in music teachers. A questionnaire was distributed, with items based on work-related musculoskeletal disorders and physical working conditions. The study population consisted of music teachers employed at a Swedish municipal music school. Out of 61 music teachers, 47 (77%) agreed to participate, including 28 women and 19 men. The study group was divided into two groups depending on if they had an asymmetric or symmetric upper extremity/back playing position. Of the total participants, 77% reported musculoskeletal disorders during the preceding 12 months. Female teachers reported significantly more symptoms in the neck, shoulders, and upper back than male teachers. Music teachers with an asymmetric playing posture had significantly more musculoskeletal disorders than music teachers with a symmetric playing posture. This study demonstrates that an asymmetric playing position may affect the amount of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremity and back.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Tegern ◽  
Ulrika Aasa ◽  
Björn O. Äng ◽  
Helena Larsson

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Tegern ◽  
Ulrika Aasa ◽  
Björn O. Äng ◽  
Helena Larsson

Abstract Background The high numbers of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among soldiers in the Swedish Armed Forces has led to the implementation of an effective prevention program, the musculoskeletal screening protocol (MSP), including questionnaires, physical tests and individual intervention of their MSD. A corresponding MSP for the Swedish Air Force is also needed due to earlier reported high prevalence of MSD. We therefore investigated the prevalence of MSD in Swedish Air Force personnel (AF) and compared this to Swedish Army deployed soldiers (DS). Individual, health- and work-related factors associated with MSD were also investigated. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study on 166 male AF and 185 DS. AF consisted of fighter pilots, helicopter pilots and rear crew from one Swedish air base. Results The one-year and point prevalence, respectively, of MSD were significantly higher for AF compared to DS with regard to both the upper quarter of the body (i.e. neck, shoulder and thoracic regions) (AF = 54.8 and 31.3%, DS = 26.1 and 13.6%, p = 0.01) and the lumbar region (AF = 38.0 and 18.7%, DS = 22.2 and 7.1%, p = 0.00). No significant differences were present between fighter pilots, helicopter pilots and rear crew regarding MSD prevalence. Factors significantly associated with having both upper quarter and lumbar regions MSD were group (i.e. greater odds for AF than DS) and self-reported physical health as less than excellent. Additionally, being older and taller were also factors associated with lumbar region MSD. Discussion Despite a generally healthy lifestyle, MSD were commonly reported by AF and DS, with generally higher prevalence in AF who mainly reported MSD in the upper quarter of the body. The results from this study indicate that the MSP can be a meaningful tool to prevent MSD in air force personnel and that questions regarding general health and MSD in specific body regions should be included in screening protocols. The development of the preventive program MSP is therefore recommended for the Swedish Air Force.


Author(s):  
Tea Lallukka ◽  
Leena Kaila-Kangas ◽  
Minna Mänty ◽  
Seppo Koskinen ◽  
Eija Haukka ◽  
...  

The contribution of physically demanding work to the developmental trajectories of sickness absence (SA) has seldom been examined. We analyzed the associations of 12 physical work exposures, individually and in combination, with SA trajectories among the occupationally active in the Finnish nationally representative Health 2000 survey. We included 3814 participants aged 30–59 years at baseline, when exposure history to work-related factors was reported. The survey and interview responses were linked with the annual number of medically confirmed SA spells through 2002–2008 from national registries. Trajectory analyses identified three SA subgroups: 1 = low (54.6%), 2 = slowly increasing (33.7%), and 3 = high (11.7%). After adjustments, sitting or use of keyboard >1 year was inversely associated with the high SA trajectory (odds ratio, OR, 0.57; 95% 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.43–0.77). The odds of belonging to the trajectory of high SA increased with an increasing number of risk factors, and was highest for those with ≥4 physical workload factors (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.99–3.69). In conclusion, these findings highlight the need to find ways to better maintain the work ability of those in physically loading work, particularly when there occurs exposure to several workload factors.


Author(s):  
Won-Tae Lee ◽  
Sung-Shil Lim ◽  
Jihyun Kim ◽  
Sehyun Yun ◽  
Jin-Ha Yoon ◽  
...  

Work schedules comprise various variables and generate health and safety outcomes, including work-related injury, which causes socioeconomic problems, such as productivity loss and damage to worker health. We investigated the association between work schedule irregularity and the incidence of work-related injury among South Korean manual workers using data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. In total, 18,330 manual workers were included. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to understand the association between work schedule and work-related injury and the influence of sufficient safety information and work schedule on work-related injury. We calculated the influence of an irregular work schedule on occupational injury after controlling for personal and work environment-related factors. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for work-related injury was 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–2.09) for an irregular work schedule. The interaction had an additive effect when the work schedule was irregular, even when sufficient safety information was provided. Manual workers had a higher incidence of injury (2.1%). Even in adjusted analyses, work schedule irregularity conferred greater risks of work injury, particularly when not working the same number of days weekly (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21–1.90). Policymakers and health professionals need to consider the impact of work schedule irregularity on worker safety and health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Gabriella Barreto Soares ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Gomes Siqueira ◽  
Lorena Estrada-Martinez ◽  
Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin ◽  
Artênio José Ísper Garbin

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating the relationships between health and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in dentists, and the relationship with socio-demographic, work and health variables.METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 204 dentists who work in public clinics in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. We used a self-administered survey that included questions on sociodemographic and health aspects, work-related factors, and the Nordic questionnaire.RESULTS: WMSDs were often reported in the neck, shoulder, lower back, and hand/wrists. Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a correlation between reports of WMSD in the neck and age (OR = 9.48) and health problems (OR = 6.71). Moreover, strong associations were found between MSDs in the shoulders, gender (OR = 5.88) and breaks between appointments (OR = 4.17).CONCLUSION: We concluded that the health problems diagnosed, work-related activities and gender contributed to musculoskeletal disorders in dentists in this clinic.


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