BACKGROUND: Concerns were raised about the possibility of a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in a truck assembly plant. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in a group of truck assembly workers. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 461 truck assembly workers was carried out using a modified version of the Nordic questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12). Employees were further subdivided into three distinct occupational subgroups: skilled line workers (252), bench subassembly workers (108) and material handlers (101). Responses were analysed according to occupational subgroup. RESULTS: Seventy per cent of 461 truck assembly workers responded to the questionnaires. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents had been troubled with musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months. The commonest musculoskeletal symptoms were from the lower back (65%), neck (60%) and shoulders (57%). Musculoskeletal symptoms were related to age, length of service, occupational subgroup and GHQ12 score. CONCLUSION: There was a high reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in this group of truck assembly workers, with a differing pattern of symptom reporting depending on occupational subgroup. Risk reduction recommendations were made to the site management. A further study investigating the relationship between symptoms and specific hazards is planned.
BACKGROUND: Concerns were raised about the possibility of a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in a truck assembly plant. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in a group of truck assembly workers. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 461 truck assembly workers was carried out using a modified version of the Nordic questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12). Employees were further subdivided into three distinct occupational subgroups: skilled line workers (252), bench subassembly workers (108) and material handlers (101). Responses were analysed according to occupational subgroup. RESULTS: Seventy per cent of 461 truck assembly workers responded to the questionnaires. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents had been troubled with musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months. The commonest musculoskeletal symptoms were from the lower back (65%), neck (60%) and shoulders (57%). Musculoskeletal symptoms were related to age, length of service, occupational subgroup and GHQ12 score. CONCLUSION: There was a high reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in this group of truck assembly workers, with a differing pattern of symptom reporting depending on occupational subgroup. Risk reduction recommendations were made to the site management. A further study investigating the relationship between symptoms and specific hazards is planned.
Authors: Laura Goodwin; Ilan Ben-Zion; Nicola T Fear; Matthew Hotopf; Stephen A Stansfeld; Simon Wessely Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-11-04 Impact factor: 3.240