Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in an MDF furniture factory in eastern Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors contributing to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among 439 workers in an MDF furniture factory using questionnaires and the risk assessment form of the Ergonomic Assessment Tool for Arthritis technique to assess aspects of the workstations and working postures of jobs. With regard to factors that affected MSDs, it was found that workers older than 50 years were having knee symptoms: their adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 18.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.51, 226.40]. Those who had been working for 1–2 years were having neck pain symptoms: aOR 12.01, 95% CI [1.82, 79.43]. The recommendation of this study is that health monitoring should be provided for workers who have pain in various parts of their bodies, especially those who have been working for 6–10 years, and those who are over 50 years old with knee pain.

Keywords:

• musculoskeletal disorder
• furniture factory
• Thailand

Disclosure statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by a research grant from Burapha University through the National Research Council of Thailand [grant number 140/2558].