Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Unskilled Indian Women Construction Workers

Abstract

Background: The nature of work in construction industry puts workers at high risk for acute and cumulative work related musculoskeletal disorders.

Aim: The aim of the investigation is to understand workers exposure to risk factors, prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), workers knowledge on the role of ergonomic factors and coping strategies to reduce the risk of development of WRMSDs.

Methods: Nordic musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire was adopted to identify the musculoskeletal symptoms in nine anatomical body regions. Workers exposure to risk factors continuously for a period of more than two hours at a stretch and more than two such types of work spells in a work day was considered as risk factor.

Results: The risk of WRMSDs is about 4 times more among workers with greater than 20 years of work experience than those with 11-20 years and is about 2 times more in those with 1-10 years of work experience respectively.

Conclusions: Education programmes on ergonomic principles must be made mandatory for to reduce the rate of WRMSDs and to promote occupational health.