Physical workload and musculoskeletal disorders in back, shoulders and neck among welders

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of the physical workload on the back, neck and shoulders of welders. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was assessed using the Nordic questionnaire among 15 welders. The physical workload of the neck, back and upper arms was then measured by means of inclinometry as the welders were working. The results revealed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders during the previous 12 months was in the lower back and shoulders. The median trunk and neck flexion were significantly associated with back and neck pain in welders with symptoms during the past year (p < 0.05). Physical exposure in welders with pain was characterized by significantly more awkward postures and percentage of time spent with the trunk and neck flexed more than 20°. The nature of their work and the design of their workstations may be causes of the symptoms they experienced during work.

Keywords:

• musculoskeletal disorders
• physical workload
• awkward posture
• welders

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Davood Afshari http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3323-6266

Seyed Mahmood Latifi http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8989-5397

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Vice Chancellor of Research Affairs of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran [grant number U-95013].