Assessing the impact of critical risk factors on the development of musculoskeletal disorders: a structural equation modelling approach

Abstract

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) have a significant impact on people’s lives as well as their workplaces, organizations, families, society, and national economy. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the impacts of different risk factors in developing MSD problems. Structural equation modelling has been used to examine the effects of different risk factors on developing MSD problems. Five hypotheses were developed for workplace, personal, biomechanical, psychosocial, and organisational risk factors to examine the positive relation with MSD problems generation. Results showed that biomechanical risk factors, including repetitive motion, vibration, force, posture, and deviation from neutral body alignment, have significant impacts on the development of MSD problems. Similar results were found for workplace, personal, psychosocial, and organisational risk factors. Therefore, either the single risk factor or collectively contributes significantly to MSD problems generation. Decision-makers can use this study to analyse the impacts of different factors on the generation of MSD problems within their industries or organizations. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first and foremost approach to determine the impacts of the critical risk factors on developing MSD problems through an organised and scientific approach.

Keywords:

• Structural Equation Modelling
• Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Factors
• Biomechanical Risk Factors
• Workplace Risk Factors
• Personal Risk Factors

Acknowledgement

The individuals who took part in this study and contributed insightful opinions are greatly appreciated by the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

Approval was taken from the authority to conduct the research and mentioned in the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

No Funding.

Notes on contributors

S. Talapatra

S. Talapatra obtained his PhD degree in Industrial Engineering and Management in the department of Industrial Engineering and Management of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology. His research interests include Human Factor Engineering, Design Engineering, Productivity Improvement and Total Quality Management. He is an associate professor of Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]

M. S. Parvez

M. S. Parvez received MSc Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology. His research interests include Human Factors Engineering, Product Design and Development, Customer-led Design, Supply Chain Management, and Operations Management. He is an assistant professor of Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

P. Saha

P. Saha obtained BSc Engineering degree in Industrial & Production Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology. His research interests include Human Factors Engineering, Total Quality Management, Productivity Improvement, and Operations Management. He is a lecturer of Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]

M. G. Kibria

M. G. Kibria received MSc Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology. His research interests include Human Factors Engineering, Operations Research, Optimization, and Operations Management. He is an assistant professor of Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]