Ergonomic  Assessment of Manual Material  Handling and Work – Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Miners (Kermanshah, 2001)

F Gharagozloo; B Karami Matin

Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Peer-reviewed Medical Quarterly

Current Issue All Issues In Press Accepted Manuscripts Search

Journal Information Boards and Committees Indexing and Listing Sources Journal Metrics Open Peer Review (OPR)Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement Reviewer and AE Registration Form Contact Us Support

Authors Guide Submit Manuscript

Ergonomic Assessment of Manual Material Handling and Work – Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Miners (Kermanshah, 2001)

Author(s):

F Gharagozloo^1,*,

B Karami Matin¹

1Iran

Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences:Vol. 6, issue 1; e80964

Published online:Jun 19, 2002

Article type:Research Article

Received:Jan 21, 2002

Accepted:May 22, 2002

How to Cite:F GharagozlooB Karami MatinErgonomic Assessment of Manual Material Handling and Work – Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Miners (Kermanshah, 2001).J Kermanshah Univ Med Sci.6(1):e80964.

Abstract

History & Objective: Regarding the high prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) among miners and lack of information concerning Manual Material Handling (MMH), this research was designed to identify these disorders and their risk factors through active surveillance process and 1991 revised NIOSH lifting equation for assessment of MMH surface stone mines in Kermanshah during 2001.

Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 36 surface miners.The data collecting tool was a health risk /symptom survey questionnaire which was completed through direct interviews. The MMH tasks were assessed by observation and 1991 revised NIOSH lifting equation. The results which was processed by descriptive statistics analyzed by Pearson Correlation test .Results: The subjects of the study included 36 miners between 23-55(35.39 + 8.98) with a work history of 11 + 7.7 years . All the workers had experienced musculoskeletal discomfort in the previous year. The causes of discomfort were said to be heavy manual lifting and work pressure. The severity of injury was equal to missing of 5469 full or limited work days in 36 workers during the previous year, totally equivalent to 17.5 work forces. The average Recommended Weight Limit(RWL) among miners was 19.79 lb(6.69Kg). There was a significant positive correlation between age and degree

of discomfort of the subjects during the interview and their worst discomfort episods, the duration of and frequency of discomfort episodes(P<0.05).

Discussion : This research indicated that high prevalence rates of MSDs miners can be attributed to frequent load handling. The quality of MMH was not ideal among population of the study. Precise analysis of working conditions in mines along with identification of risk factors and ergonomic training programs will help to reduce discomfort among miners.

Keywords

1991 Revised NIOSH lifting equation

WRMSDs

Symptom survey

Manual Material Handling

Surface stone mine

Kermanshah

Manual Material Handling

Kermanshah .

Fulltext

The full text of this article is available on PDF

comments