Work-related diseases and risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among unionized metal industry workers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related diseases (WRDs) and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WR-MSDs), as well as investigate WR-MSD-associated risk factors, among metal industry workers in Turkey. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 1374 members of the Birleşik Metal İş Union from 121 companies. Data were collected using a self-administered 30-item questionnaire. Results. The survey response rate was 81.4% (1374/1686). Almost one out of every six workers (14.8%) stated that they had been diagnosed with a WRD, 3.6% reported that they had been diagnosed with an occupational disease and 38.6% of them indicated that they had suffered an occupational accident (OA) at least once. The prevalence of WR-MSDs was 10.7%, of work-related lung diseases was 1.8% and of occupational hearing loss was 0.6%. Quitting smoking, smoking, OA, heavy lifting, time pressure and working in the automotive industry were all associated with WR-MSDs. Conclusions. Interventions aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) should focus on smoking cessation, training workers in proper techniques and equipment for lifting and pushing/pulling heavy loads, preventing OAs and injuries, and reducing the time pressure in the workplace in the metal industry.

Keywords:

• metal industry
• musculoskeletal disorders
• occupational diseases
• risk factors
• work-related diseases

Acknowledgements

The authors express ou appreciation to all members of the BMIS. They are also grateful to the BMIS managers for their support of the study. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Istanbul Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital (YAEK/(2022/183)/2022.01.06).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Dr Hafız Cemal Lokmanhekim and Sabiha Lokmanhekim Foundation.