assessment of working posture and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in dok kaew broom weaving workers

Background: Working posture is one important factor of the ergonomics. If workers perform an awkward working posture such as long-term excessive bending from neutral position of a part of the body or repeating their working motion in high frequency in each working session, they may have work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Objectives: To assess working posture and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Dok Kaew broom making workers, Dong Suwan Sub-district, Dok Khamtai District, Phayao Province. Materials and methods: Eleven volunteers were recorded their working motion in steps of making and embroidering a broomstick by two video digital cameras. Working postures were evaluated by rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) represented as the level of final score 1-4 while work-related musculoskeletal disorders were reported by the Standard Nordic Questionnaires. Results: It was found that working postures of all volunteers were awkward postures represented by the final scores level 2-4. In the analysis of working posture, volunteers with the final score level 4 must change their working postures immediately because they raised their shoulders 20°-45°, flexed elbows 60°-100°, flexed trunk and neck more than 20°. In addition, results of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in both seven days and one year ago showed that most volunteers had disorders at wrist/hand (35.72%), elbows (28.57%), shoulder (21.43%), neck (7.14%), and low back (7.14%). Conclusion: The working postures of Dok Kaew broom weaving workers were found within awkward postures. These might be a cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders especially found in upper limbs, neck, and low back. Thus, to completely evaluate the ergonomic factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, other factors of ergonomics and physical assessments should be assessed and followed-up. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences 2017; 50(1): 138-147. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2017.13