Risk assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders at a workplace from metalworking industry

Abstract

With constant changes at work, industries demands workers to perform small movements with high frequencies. The repetitive movements are frequently present in metalworking industry and constitute an important Work-Related Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) risk factor. The main goals of this study were: (i) asses the risk of developing WRMSD, by applying the method Rapid Upper Limbs Assessment (RULA); (ii) suggest possible preventive measures; (iii) with RULA action level results, rank priorities for implementing these measures; (iv) explore if the implemented rotation scheme decreases risk of developing WRMSD. (v) examine association of pain, discomfort and nuisance reported by workers. with presence of WRMSD risk factors in the workplace, through Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Ergonomic Workplace Analysis application RULA’ results showed that these workers are exposed to a high risk of WRMSD development, being in agreement with reported symptoms pointed out by the questionnaire applied. Additionationally, the obtained results demonstrated that the task rotation scheme seems to be insufficient relatively to the WRMSD prevention. Therefore, a more complete study is needed in order to achieve better ergonomic interventions on workplaces of metalworking industry.