Risk Assessment on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders for Ergonomics Management Program among Industrial Workers in Textile Export and Small Enterprise

Abstract

     This cross-sectional study aimed :(1) to assess health risk on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of workers in textile export and small enterprise; and (2) suggest ergonomic management program for reducing WMSDs. Data were collected from  43 workers from simple random sampling by using an interviewed discomfort questionnaire, observing of work posture with ergonomic risk assessment. Eye fatigue of workers with eye focusing work and light intensity at inspection or sewing station were measured. Risk assessment on WMSDs was done by using a risk matrix considering the severity levels of the musculoskeletal discomfort and the opportunity on exposure to ergonomics factor. In addition, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results showed that : (1) most of  the workers had a moderate to very high risk of WMSDs (62.79%) as the followings: moderate level (30.23%), high level (23.26%), and very high level (9.30%), especially of shoulder (51.16%), neck (44.91%) and lower leg (34.85%). The workers had eye fatigue (45.16%)  in sections of hand weaving and industrial sewing. The light intensity of work stations of the industrial sewing section and weaving were below the standard requirement (35.48%); and (2) the results suggested for ergonomics implementation program of the workers who had WMSDs risk from at least on moderate level as follows: ergonomic training for improving work posture, chair designed for sewing section, foot supporting designed for hand weaving section and quality control section, improvement of lighting intensity for industrial sewing and weaving section, and WMSDs surveillance by using MSDs risk matrix every six months in order to prevent of musculoskeletal diseases and the textile industry workers.