Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Associated Factors Among Manual Porcelain Workers at Different Workstations: a Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) symptoms and to identify the associated factors (individual, and work-related) among manual porcelain workers at different workstations. The risk level of each workstation was also assessed based on the working postures for the purpose of improving occupational health.

Methods: In total, 349 workers were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to collect data on WMSDs symptoms in nine body regions. The relationship between individual/occupational factors and WMSDs symptoms was determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method was applied to classify the risk level of working postures at the five workstations (shaping, trimming, glazing, painting, and burning).

Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in at least one body region within the past 12 months was 69.1% among the participants: the neck (49.3%), lower back (43.8%), and shoulders (27.5%). Sex, work experience, daily working hours, perceived work fatigue, and workstation, were significantly associated with WMSDs symptoms in different body regions. The REBA indicated that 57.8% and 32.5% of the working postures were in the medium- and above high-risk levels, respectively.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a high occurrence of WMSDs symptoms among manual porcelain workers and suggested that both individual and work-related characteristics should be considered to improve occupational health. Furthermore, urgent ergonomic intervention is needed to avoid awkward working postures that cause WMSDs symptoms in porcelain workers, particularly at the shaping and burning workstations.