Ergonomic factors of musculoskeletal disorders in automotive manufacturing workers

Objective To study workplace ergonomic risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among workers in automotive industry.Methods With stratified cluster sampling,1 065 workers engaged in stamping,welding,painting,and assembling in three automotive manufacturing enterprises were selected and investigated on general personal infomation,specific physical risk factors in workplace,and musculoskeletal pain with a questionnaire survey.Results Neck(38.87%)and back(31.83%)wide-angle bend,high repetitive motion,wide-angle bending,and high forceful exertion with hand(39.34%)were the most prominent activity or posture in operation process,with different exposures and illness during the workings of different work types.The results of multivariate logistic analyses showed that the musculoskeletal pain was related to incorrect posture or repeated tasks.The pain in neck related to the duration of working(odds ratio=1.238),and kness pain was related to body weight(odds ratio=1.644).Conclusion The work-related musculoskeletal disorders in automobile manufacturing workers are related to incorrect posture or repeated tasks during working.Measures should be taken to improve and control ergonomic risk factors at workplace for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.