Ergonomics Management on Risk Reduction of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Industrial Workers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to investigate the ergonomics management on reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of industrial workers. Information obtained from the studies conducted in Thailand and abroad that have been published and reported between 2010-2020. The searching was done from an electronic database i.e. Google scholar and PubMed. There were 10 studies selected with inclusion criteria studies. The study found that ergonomics management to reduce musculoskeletal disorders is based on the results of an ergonomic exposure risk assessment i.e. REBA, RULA, NIOSH, ACGIH TLVs for Hand Activity Level (HAL) and musculoskeletal discomfort assessment. Based on this review, there were two guidelines for ergonomics management that have been implemented in the industry i.e., 1) work station improvement: a design of work station / tool / machine / equipment to improve work posture in order to reduce the risk of MSDs with applied information from the workers’ body size, 2) Participatory Ergonomics (PE): an opportunity for stakeholders from all departments joined in planning and took action with a clearly goal to resolve the problems for better ergonomics through their perceptions and studies of problems, opinions, planning and decisions. The ergonomics management in both directions could reduce the likelihood of exposure to ergonomic risk factors and physical discomfort of workers. In addition, if two ergonomics management directions are used together, it will be more beneficial than using a single direction. However, the previous studies have not used the matrix of Health Risk Assessment of MSDs (HRA-MSDs) as a tool for risk identification and measurement of ergonomics management. Therefore, it is recommendation of the HRA-MSDs matrix for the beneficial of long-term MSDs surveillance to prevent the musculoskeletal disorders of industrial workers.