Psychosocial and physical working conditions and associated musculoskeletal symptoms among operators in five plants using Arc welding in robot stations

This correlational study investigates the relationship between, on the one hand, the psychosocial and physical work environment and the technical complexity of welding robots, and, on the other hand, self‐reported musculoskeletal symptoms among operators. The study sample included 30 male operators in five plants using arc welding in their robot stations. All operators answered a questionnaire and participated in an interview. It was found that symptoms in the back were associated with both psychosocial factors and physical stressors, whereas symptoms occurring in the neck were associated mainly with physical job stressors.