Thai Journal of Ergonomics

The improvement of work conditions through participatory ergonomics for reducing the risk of lower back among steel bending workers in a construction project, Bangkok

Saranyu Khamklang, Srirat Lormphongs, Nantaporn Phatrabuddha — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The objectives of this research were to study the Results of improving work conditions using participatory ergonomics low back pain and assess the risk in the low back of steel bending workers in a construction project in Bangkok. The studying was quasi-experimental design in one sample group, measuring before and after the intervention, with a total of 10 samples that passed the inclusion criteria. Results found that there was a decrease in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the low back muscles in the past 7 days for everyone (100%). The low back pain severity score decreased with statistical significance at P = .012. The range of movement zone (ROM), flexion, extension and lateral bend, decreased significantly at P < .05 level. The average workload of the low back muscles during working versus maximal contraction (%MVC) of the latissimus dorsi and erector spine muscles decreased significant compared to before improving work conditions using participatory ergonomics principles (P < .01). Therefore, business establishments should adopt the principles Participatory ergonomics is used to improve other work conditions to reduce the risk of muscle aches.

Risk factors of work stress among professional safety officers under the pandemic situation of coronavirus 2019 in Nakhon Pathom province

Jintana Phuetphon, Sanpatchaya Sirisawasd, Saowanee Norkaew, Chalobon Treesak — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Stress at work can result from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic situation. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of work stress among professional safety officers during the pandemic situation of coronavirus 2019 in Nakhon Pathom province with a sample size of 226 individuals. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used for data analysis. The study result revealed that most professional safety officers were female (81.40 percent), and 70.80 percent of them were between the ages between 26 to 30. The highest educational level was a bachelor's degree (98.20 percent). The prevalence of work stress among professional safety officers was 8.85 percent. The risk factors of work stress (p-value<0.05) were working hours, excessive workload, tasks did not match competency or aptitude, unclear roles and responsibilities, having to work beyond responsibility, unclear structure or division of work, wasting a lot of time and energy at work that has a negative effect on personal life, and work with complex communication and system in COVID-19 situation. Despite having a lot of work to do, most respondents were still able to divide their time for family activities. These results used as a guideline for organizing health promotion programs to reduce stress at work in other emergency situations in the future.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and work stress among seed watermelon contract farming in Nongrua district, Khon Kaen province

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to study the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among seed watermelon contract farming workers in Nong Ruea district, Khon Kaen province, and work stress from contract farming work. There were 259 contract farmers participated in this study and data were collected by using the questionnaire of musculoskeletal disorders severity and frequency (MSFQ) to evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders, and the work ability index of stress assessment form data. MSDs Prevalence and data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, including percentage and frequency. The study found that most of farmers were female (67.57%), aged between 51-60 years (32.82%), body mass index was normal (42.08%). Most of them had income ranging from 10,000-50,000 bahts (77.21%) had been farming less than 10 years of experience of growing seed watermelon (74.90%), had work period more than 5 hours per day (76.83%), exposed to work environment characteristics that included dust (74.90%) and sweltering weather (79.54%). The prevalence of MSDs among seed watermelon contract farmers in the past 6 months was 19.46%, and the top three highest prevalence were found in lower back (56.37%), followed by hip (56.37%), calf (20.85%), respectively. The MSDs symptoms were characterized by frequency and severity, it was found that the areas of greatest frequency were the lower back, lower arm and neck, respectively and the severity at moderate level was found at lower back, knees and calves, respectively. The work stress was found that farmers had high discomfort of workload that should be rectified immediately (83.40%). This study found a high prevalence of MSDs and the high stress of seed watermelon contract farmers. Therefore, there should be further study of risk factors associated with MSDs and ergonomic risk assessment by appropriate tool for agriculturists to improve the problem by identified risk factors for prevention of MSDs and stress among the contract farmers.

Effectiveness of hand care program to reduce finger and hand injuries among doormat workers of a community enterprise in Nakhon Ratchasima province

Jeeranan Promchai, Anamai Thetkathuek, Tanongsak Yingratanasuk — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The repetitive hand movements required by doormat makers' working long hours can harm their hands. According to previous studies, there were still few hand care programs. Comparison of hands and finger muscles' strength, examining the satisfaction of the hand care program, and comparison of muscle pain in the fingers and hands before and after the program was implemented. This research was a quasi-experimental study measuring before and after implementing the program. Research tools included a personal characteristics questionnaire, fingers and hand pain questionnaire, satisfaction questionnaire, hand grip dynamometer, and a pinch gauge. The findings indicated that most workers were female, 84.62% of the average age was 51.38 ± 5.56 years. The hand care program increased hand grip strength at 5-8 weeks after the test and hand grip force at week 5. In the eighth week following the experiment, the Pinch grip of the right and left fingers rose. At week 5, Finger and hand pain decreased in week 5, and finger and hand pain decreased in weeks 5-8 with statistical significance (P-value <0.05). Satisfaction of doormat makers after using the hand care program showed a high level of satisfaction. This study demonstrated how the strengthening of the fingers and hand muscles could be promoted by employing resistance exercises on the fingers, hand, and whole body among the doormat makers. Continuous muscle exercise resulted in a reduction of finger and hand pain.

Application of motion economy for reducing musculoskeletal disorders risk factors among cable packers in an enterprise

Sreenoul Tummee, Parvena Meepradit, Tanongsak Yingratanasuk — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study examined the risk factors for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The principles of motion economy were applied to improve work methods for reduce the MSDs risk in ten volunteer cable packers. This study used a one-group quasi-experimental design. Working procedures were investigated using the flow process chart. Posture analysis evaluations using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tools have been used to analyses the working postures of cable packers in an enterprise. The risk factors were found to include twisting/bending/flexing the wrists, lifting/moving, flexing/twisting/lateral bending of the trunk, bending/twisting/tilting of the neck, knee flexion, unilateral weight bearing on the legs, and continuous standing. The intervention included the use of the human body, the arrangement of the workplace, and the design of tools and equipment. Post-intervention results showed the reduction of risk factors of twisting/flexing, bending/flexing, hand, and forearm reaching, and significant unilateral weight bearing on the legs (p < 0.005). The risk level as for REBA, the score was reduced for 13 to 7 indicated a decrease from very high to moderate risk levels. Findings implied that principles of motion economy could be applied to improve work methods by reducing the risk factors that may affect the workers’ musculoskeletal disorders.

Factors related to musculoskeletal disorders, computer vision syndrome (CVS), and stress among university library staff in Lampang province, Thailand

Nattagorn Choochouy, Tanika Tingsa, Amnouy Chaichana, Saengduen Ubonsri — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The university library staff engage in multifaceted tasks, primarily focused on computer-related activities aimed at enhancing information services and library resources. Consequently, they are at risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), and stress. This study aims to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, CVS, and stress among university library staff, and to identify factors related with these issues by utilizing a cross-sectional analytical study design. Data were collected from 30 full-time university library staff members who had been employed in information services and library resources for a minimum of one year at a university library in Lampang province, Thailand. Data collection methods included interviews, questionnaires assessing musculoskeletal abnormalities, ergonomics risk assessment, CVS-Q evaluation, light intensity measurement, and stress assessment. The study was conducted during regular university academic semesters. Results indicate that over 30% of our sample reported musculoskeletal abnormalities in the neck, upper back, and lower back regions. Additionally, over 50% of the sample experienced CVS with low stress levels. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was employed to assess ergonomic risks in computer workstation settings, revealing that most of our sample fell within the moderate-risk category. However, when the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was used, the majority scored in the high-risk category. Notably, no significant relationship was found between the ergonomic risk levels assessed using RULA and ROSA and the occurrence of musculoskeletal abnormalities in any part of the body. However, musculoskeletal abnormalities in the shoulder area were related with the occurrence of CVS and stress levels in our sample. Factors related with the occurrence of CVS and stress levels included a medical history of allergies and insomnia, respectively. Meanwhile, the computer workstation settings and light intensity levels did not exhibit a significant relationship with the occurrence of CVS and stress levels in our sample. This study reveals several work-related health effects among university library staff and how these health effects influence each other. It is urgent need to plan policies or initiate an appropriate safety, occupational health, and working environment measures to be applied to control and prevent long term work-related health effects for university library staff.

Ergonomics risk management for fishermen: a case study of among fishermen in Laemchabang City municipality, Chonburi province

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to define and evaluate risk management for local fisherman. In Laemchabang City Municipality in Chonburi Province, a single focus group discussion with thirty-six seasoned local fishermen was used to gather data. The researchers carried out their role as moderators in accordance with a six-step process that included defining the issues regarding the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders derived from risk assessment, outlining the discussion's goal, leading a group discussion, summarizing the discussion, analyzing data, and verifying content validity. The outcome showed that there were three tasks involved in fishing work. Stretching, shifting positions, minimizing bending and twisting, taking brief breaks while working, and assigning more personnel to jobs like catching and sorting were the recommendations for ergonomic risk management. Concerning task transfer, posture modification, decreased bending and twisting, decreased weight of object being lifted, and increased worker numbers were identified. All ergonomic risk management strategy was functional and did not interfere with the operator's ability to do their duties. It was a simple and inexpensive remedy. For the purpose of helping in comprehension and ensure proper execution, ergonomic risk management strategies were accompanied by explanations.

Intra-and inter-raters reliability of lumbar joint repositioning sense test in seated sedentary behavior with chronic low back pain

Rungrudee Tupsila, Pongsatorn Saiklang — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The lumbar joint repositioning sense (LJRS) test is commonly used to assess the effectiveness of interventions in low back pain (LBP). Currently, it is still not known whether the LJRS tests carried out by novice rater exhibit reproducibility different from that of experienced rater. The aim of this study was to investigate the intra- and inter-raters reliability of novice and experienced raters utilizing the LJRS test in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Fifteen male and fifteen female participants with CLBP were recruited. Novice and experienced raters performed the LJRS test in the same day. For intra-rater reliability, each subject performed the test with both novice and experienced raters three times, with 10-minute rest intervals between repetitions. For inter-rater reliability, each subject performed the test one time with 30-minute rest intervals between raters. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) were used for statistical analysis. The results demonstrated that the ICC (3,1) for the experienced rater was 0.96, with an MDC of 0.18 centimeters, and the novice rater had an ICC (3,1) of 0.95, with an MDC of 0.19 centimeters. The ICC (2,1) for inter-rater reliability was 0.97, with an MDC of 0.15 centimeters. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that both experienced and novice raters exhibit good intra- and inters reliability. The novice rater, a physical therapy student who has received 3 hours of training, can use this test in a clinical setting to assess activities that may pose a risk or may lead to lumbar joint repositioning sense errors, thus contributing to increased low back pain.