Musculoskeletal Discomfort associated with non-routine works: An exploratory study

• Main Authors: Sun,chen-chun, 孫貞畯
• Other Authors: Huang,Yu-Li
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/et595m

碩士 === 國立高雄第一科技大學 === 環境與安全衛生工程系碩士專班 === 105 === Workers at a machinery and equipment manufacturing company have been suffering from musculoskeletal discomforts. The main product of this company is custom-made by order, thus workers have different job assignments every day. Because of the non-routine nature of work arrangements, worker’s complaint on musculoskeletal complaint has been overlooked at the management level, and this lead to worsening musculoskeletal discomfort, decreased productivity and high employee turnover. In this study, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used in conjunction with the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) to examine the extent of worker’s musculoskeletal discomfort, to seek out possible causes to the discomfort, and to make recommendations for hazard reduction. Results from the preliminary survey among the study participants showed that 81% of the study participants had some musculoskeletal discomfort at the end of a work shift, and discomfort was most prevalent on the neck, lower back and ankle. On-site observations showed that workers often had to carry out their jobs in awkward postures during machine assembly, which may be a direct cause to musculoskeletal discomfort. The work procedure with the highest risk level for musculoskeletal discomfort was identified for remediation. In the follow-up survey, the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort decreased substantially, while the work efficiency with the modified work procedure also improved. Adjustment on other work procedures may further improve work efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal hazards. Keywords: Ergonomic intervention, Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), machinery and equipment assembly