Ergonomic Risk Assessment among Workers of Weaving Group, Ban Hua-Mueang, Yasothon Province.

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to assess ergonomic risk using Rapid Upper Limp Assessment and determine relationships between personal factors, work factors and ergonomic risk level. There were 50 weaving workers from Ban Hua-Mueang, Hua-Mueang Subdistrict, Mahachanachai District, Yasothon Province included. Data collection was done by questionnaire and ergonomic risk factor was assessed by RULA technique. Frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation were used to explain a data distribution. Pearson Correlation and Spearman Rank correlation were used to find a statistic significant level. (95%CI)

There were 96.00% of weaving women, 50% were older than 46 years old, 78.00 % married workers, 88% of them  were not shown congenital disease, 72.00% of them have experienced less than or equal to 10 years and 62.00% of them working period less than or equal to 6 hours per day.The assessment of work posture by RULA found that 14.30% in thread winding process and 62.50% in weaving process the weaving group had highest risk level (7 Score). Age and working period were significantly positively correlated with ergonomic risk level (p < 0.05) in weaving process.  In twisted process, a static muscle work  ≥ 3 minutes were significantly positively correlated with ergonomic risk level (p < 0.05). Therefore, proper work posture should be adjusted the sitting position and muscle stretching could be benefit to reduce a static muscle work and finally reducing work related musculoskeletal disorders.