Summary: | 碩士 === 中山醫學大學 === 職業安全衛生學系碩士班 === 104 === In many industries, workers are required to squat and kneel for extended periods of time. The occupational musculoskeletal disorders may result from prolonged squatting and kneeling. In consideration of prolonged squatting and kneeling associated with serious problem on musculoskeletal disorders, This study aims to reduce musculoskeletal fatigue and injuries by the ergonomic intervention.
The knee osteoarthritis is listed in occupational diseases in many countries, and some studies showed that a high proportion of a knee injury, and more and more increasing direct costs for these injuries. On the other hand, domestic epidemiology also shows that the squatting/ kneeling posture is the main occupational action on the causes of lower extremity and knee discomfort, but it is not yet included in the occupational.
This study will simulate and assess the effects of the ergonomic interventions on physiological workloads and musculoskeletal disorders of workers during squatting/kneeling task on the laboratory
The results showed that significant relief for physiological load among squatting work after lower limb movement, and leg circumference changed is significantly correlated with Borg-RPE scale. Kneeling work is no significant differences in the working patterns, but working posture differs significantly for Borg-RPE scale. There are significant differences in working patterns and aided pad for the left leg circumference changed, and working patterns and working posture are significant differences for both sides of the thigh lateralis muscles. On the other hand, there are significant differences between squatting and kneeling for heart rate measurement, but no significant differences in three squatting/kneeling postures for leg circumference changed. Working posture differs significantly in muscular loading, and reached to over 15% MVC for 15 minutes experimental work, it could be easily caused to occupational musculoskeletal injuries. There are also visible discomforts in lower extremities via NMQ questionnaire during squatting/kneeling. This study suggested that workers should use both legs kneeling and wearing aided pad to perform painting or tile works to reduce the knee loading.
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