Risk Factors Related to Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Shipyard Workers

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard workers. Methods: A questionnaire survey was performed on 2,140 shipyard workers in a shipyard in Ulsan city. The questionnaire consisted of questions on the general characteristics, the health behavior, work type and duration, physical burden, job control, type of instruments used, pos ture, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Definition of musculoskeletal disorders was based on either NIOSH criteria and Kim’ s criteria. Results: Positive rate of musculoskeletal disorders in any one part of the body was 77.2% by NIOSH criteria and 60.7% by Kim’ s criteria. Positive rate of the symptoms increased in work ers with longer work hours, with a severe physical burden, and without any control over their job. Work with a more frequent unstable posture and for longer hours was also associated with increased musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that unstable posture and physical burden is closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms after controlling for age, smoking, drinking, exercise, duration of work, and job control; show ing a good dose-response relationship. Conclusion: Inadequate posture and physical burden were the most significant factors affect ing musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard workers in this study. Therefore, it will be necessary to make efforts to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to a specific job, instrument, physical burden, and posture. Workers should be educated on the types and preva lence of musculoskeletal disorders, how to improve the ergonomic occupational environment and to set up preventive measures against the risk factors during work.