Abstract:
Objective To investigate the status quo of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among painters in manufacturing industry, and to explore the influencing factors of multi-site WMSDs.
Methods A total of 639 painters in an automobile factory, 3 wood furniture factories and 1 shipbuilding factory in Guangdong Province were studied by convenient sampling. Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of multi-site WMSDs.
Results The total prevalence of WMSDs was 37.4%, and the highest prevalence was in the neck(20.7%), followed by ankle(19.2%), shoulder(17.4%) and low back(15.8%). The prevalence of WMSDs in single site was 10.3%, and that in multi-site was 27.1%. The prevalence of multiple sites was higher than that in single site. After controlling confounding factors, the risk factors of multi-site WMSDs in workers were longer service years(3-6 years vs. less than 3 years, OR=1.68, P < 0.05), working in an uncomfortable position(OR=2.41, P < 0.05), repeating the same movement in the ankle(OR=1.94, P < 0.05). The protective factors of multi-site WMSDs were having enough rest time(OR=0.63, P < 0.05), being able to stretch or change the leg position(OR=0.57, P < 0.05).
Conclusions Multi-site WMSDs were more common than single site among painters in the manufacturing industry, and the risk of WMSDs was higher. The employers can reduce the risk of WMSDs of painters by formulating and improving appropriate production plan, increasing the frequency and duration of break, identifying and reducing bad working posture, etc.