Risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders on pesticides spraying process: case study of rice farmer in Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province

Abstract

This study aimed to explore risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on pesticides spraying process among rice farmer in Tarnlalord sub- district, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants were 22 male rice farmers which were selected by purposive sampling technique. A questionnaire was used to collect general information and MSDs. In addition, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was used to assess risk of working postures among rice farmers. The internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire was 0.76. Data analysis were presented in frequency, percentage, mean, standard divination, maximum, minimum and Fisher's exact test. The results revealed that most of rice farmers had MSDs in shoulders (95.45%), lower back (81.82%), upper back (77.27%) and neck (72.72%). Education level was significantly related to neck pain (p<0.05). Moreover, pesticide sprayer weight was significantly related to shoulders pain (p<0.05). The REBA finding indicated that rice farmers who worked on pesticide spraying had posture at very high risk level and those who worked on lifting-carrying had posture at high risk level. It may be due to inappropriate equipment selection to farmers’ body proportion (anthropometry) which leads to excessive exertion, poor ergonomics and posture. Therefore, ergonomics workplace and safety knowledge have to be educated to rice farmers to improve work characteristics and reduce the ergonomics problems.