Enter your email address
Submit
Write your message
Volume 7, Issue 3 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2019)
Iran J Ergon 2019, 7(3): 66-74 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Shoja E, Choupani A, Gharaee M, Ghanbari M. Feasibility of using WERA Method to Assess Ergonomic Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Iran J Ergon 2019; 7 (3) :66-74
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-658-en.html
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-658-en.html
1- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran
2- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran , choupania2@gmail.com
3- Department of Epidemiology, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran
4- Department of Occupational Health and safety Engineering, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
2- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran , choupania2@gmail.com
3- Department of Epidemiology, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran
4- Department of Occupational Health and safety Engineering, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
Abstract: (8045 Views)
Background and Objectives: Using appropriate methods for ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders has an important role in controlling these risks and providing workforce health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying WERA method to assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders through its correlation with the results of QEC.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 72 employees of workshop sections of a modern brick industry. Data were collected using a Nordic questionnaire to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the past 12 months and WERA and QEC methods to ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18.
Results: The prevalence of back, shoulder, neck and wrist disorders were 41.7%, 20.8%, 16.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Results of WERA showed that 88.9% of subjects had medium action level and 11.1% had high action level. In QEC method, 6.9% of subjects had exposure level ‘one’, 20.8% of subjects had exposure level ‘two’, 48.6% of subjects had exposure level ‘three’, and 23.7% of subjects had exposure level ‘four’. The correlation between QEC total score and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was (r=0.67, P=0.038). The correlation coefficient between the final scores of the two methods was (r=0.53, P=0.021).
Conclusion: Examination of the correlation between the mean scores of the two methods indicated a moderate correlation between them. Correlation between prevalence of disorders and QEC and WERA scores showed that QEC results were more consistent with Nordic results and it can be said that QEC method was more suitable for ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders risk for different tasks in this study.
Full-Text [PDF 522 kb]
(9410 Downloads)
| | Extended Abstract (HTML) (1789 Views)
✅ Examination of the correlation between the mean scores of the two methods indicated a moderate correlation between them. Correlation between prevalence of disorders and QEC and WERA scores showed that QEC results were more consistent with Nordic results and it can be said that QEC method was more suitable for ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders risk for different tasks in this study.
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Other Cases
Received: 2019/09/17 | Accepted: 2019/12/25 | ePublished: 2020/01/12
Received: 2019/09/17 | Accepted: 2019/12/25 | ePublished: 2020/01/12
References
1. Luttmann A. JM, Griefahn B., Caffier G., Liebers F., Steinberg U. Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003. [Google Scholar]
2. Anderson SP, Oakman J. Allied Health Professionals and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review. Safety and Health at Work. 2016; 7(4):259-67. [DOI:10.1016/j.shaw.2016.04.001] [PMID] [PMCID]
3. Bevan S. Economic impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on work in Europe. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2015; 29(3):356-73. [DOI:10.1016/j.berh.2015.08.002] [PMID]
4. da Costa BR, Vieira ER. Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review of recent longitudinal studies. American Journal of industrial Medicine. 2010; 53(3):285-323. [DOI:10.1002/ajim.20750] [PMID]
5. Mehrparvar AH, Ranjbar S, Mostaghaci M, Salehi M. Risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders by QEC method in a Food Production Factory. SSUJ. 2011; 3(2):54-60. [Google Scholar]
6. Mohammadfam I, Kianfar A, Afsartala B. Assessment of musculoskeletal disorders in a manufacturing company using QEC and LUBAmethods and comparison of results. IOH. 2010; 7(1):7-0. [Article] [Google Scholar]
7. Khajevandi AA, Zarei E, Fallah H, Darabi F, Motalebi M, Sarsangi V, et al. Identification and Risk Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Arcopal Dish Production Company Personnel Using QEC Method and NMQ Questionnaire. Journal of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences. 2014; 20(5):706-15. [Google Scholar]
8. Abedini R, Choobineh AR, Soltanzadeh A, Ghiasvand R, Kazem Haghighi M. Ergonomic evaluation of exposure to musculoskeletal disorders risk factors by Quick Exposure Check (QEC) technique in a metal structure manufacturing factory. Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences. 2012; 4(2):13-20. [Google Scholar]
9. Kohan Sal S, Kohpaei A, Gharli Por Gharghani Z, Habibi P, Zeyaei M, Gilasi H, et al. Ergonomic evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers by QEC technique in the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Medilam. 2013; 20(5):18-23. [Google Scholar]
10. Mirmohammadi M, Naslsaraji J, Shah taheri SJ, Lahmi MA. Evaluation of risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in QEC method in workers of a home appliances production industry. 4th national congress of occupational health Iran; Hamedan, Iran; Day ?, Month ?; 2005.
11. The Economics Daily (August 28). Back injuries prominent in work-related musculoskeletal disorder cases in 2016. Available from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/back-injuries-prominent-in-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorder-cases-in-2016.htm?view_full
12. Work related musculoskeletal disorders in Great Britain (WRMSDs), 2018. In: Executive Has, editor. Published 31st October 2018.
13. Supplementary analysis of Costs to Britain data: using existing ill health appraisal values to estimate illustrative costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and stress. In: Executive Has, editor. 2015.
14. David G, Woods V, Li G, Buckle P. The development of the Quick Exposure Check (QEC) for assessing exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Applied Ergonomics. 2008; 39(1):57-69. [DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2007.03.002] [PMID]
15. Abd Rahman MN, Abdul Rani MR, Rohani JM. WERA: an observational tool develop to investigate the physical risk factor associated with WMSDs. Journal of Human Ergology. 2011; 40(1-2):19-36. [Article] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
16. Descatha A, Roquelaure Y, Chastang JF, Evanoff B, Melchior M, Mariot C, et al. Validity of Nordic-style questionnaires in the surveillance of upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. 2007; 33(1):58-65. [DOI:10.5271/sjweh.1065] [PMID]
17. Rahman MNA, Rani MRA, Rohani MJ, editors. WERA Tool for Assessing Exposure Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders - A Reliability and Validity Study. International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management; 2012 July 3 - 6; Istanbul, Turkey. [Article] [Google Scholar]
18. Rahman MN, Rani MR, Rohani JM. Investigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in wall plastering jobs within the construction industry. Work (Reading, Mass). 2012; 43(4):507-14. [DOI:10.3233/WOR-2012-1404] [PMID]
19. Ghanbary-Sartang A, Habibi E. Evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders risk using PATH method in construction workers. Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2016; 2(4):14-20. [Article] [Google Scholar]
20. Gholami A, Soltanzadeh A, Abedini R, Sahranavard M. Ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders risk by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique in a porcelain manufacturing factory. Journal of Research and Health. 2014; 4(1):608-12. [Article] [Google Scholar]
21. Marvimilan H, Mohebbi I, Khalkhali H, Hajaghazadeh M. An analytical study of musculoskeletal symptoms, demographic characteristics and physical work load among construction workers. Journal of Health and Safety at Work. 2019; 9(1):61-72. [Google Scholar]
22. Pirmand R, Heidari A, Hashemipour M, Talebi M, Saneikhah M, Shahirani SA, et al. The Relationship between Ergonomic Risk Factors and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers in Tehran Refinery. Journal of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences. 2015; 22(3):324-33. [Article] [Google Scholar]
23. Soleimani E, Satiarvand M, Motamedzade M, Soleimani M. Prevalence and risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders using RULA method in office staff of a construction company in 2014. Pajouhan Scientific Journal. 1395; 14(3):39-48. [DOI:10.21859/psj-140339]
24. Halvani GH, Fallah H, Hokmabadi RA, Smaeili S, Dabiri R, Sanei B, et al. Ergonomic assessment of work related musculoskeletal disorders risk in furnace brickyard workers in Yazd. Journal of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences. 2014; 6(3):543-50. [DOI:10.29252/jnkums.6.3.543]
25. Naslsaraji J, Hajaghazadeh M, Hoseini SM, JA. Study of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Industry Workers. Iran Occupational Health. 1386; 4(2-1):15-9.
26. Gholami A, Tamadon Y JA, Hejazi M, Shirdel E, darabi F. Ergonomic Risk Assessment by REBA Method and Determination of its relationship with Musculoskeletal Disorders in Workers of Gonabad Brick Furnaces. 9th National Conference on Occupational Health and Safety; 21 and 22 June 2016; Yazd, Iran.
27. Abedini R, Choobineh A, Hasanzadeh J. Musculoskeletal load assessment in hospital nurses with patient transfer activity. International Journal of Occupational Hygiene. 2013; 5(2):39-45. [Google Scholar]
28. Abedini R, Choobineh A, Soltanzadeh A, Gholami M, Amiri F, Almasi Hashiani A. Ergonomic risk assessment of lifting activities; a case study in a rubber industry. Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences. 2013; 5(1):9-15. [Article] [Google Scholar]
29. Neghab M, Soltanzadeh A, Abedini R, Hasanzadeh J, Sarvestani S. Assessment of noise related disorders among health care personnel: a cross-sectional study in shiraz hospitals. Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System. 2014; 2(2):42-8. [Article] [Google Scholar]
30. Shoja E, Hokmabadi RA, Shoja M, Gharaee M. Ergonomic evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders risk by quick exposure check technique in a textile industry. Journal of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences. 2014; 6(2):259-66. [DOI:10.29252/jnkums.6.2.259]
31. Tayefe Rahimian J, Choobineh A, Dehghan N, Tayefe Rahimian R, Kolahi H, Abbasi M, et al. Ergonomic Evaluation of Exposure to Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors in Welders. Iranian Journal of Ergonomics. 2014; 1(3):18-26. [Article]
32. Saedpanah K, Motamedzade M, Salimi K, Eskandari T, Samaei SE. Physical Risk Factors among Construction Workers by Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) Method. Archives of Occupational Health. 2018; 2(1):56-62. [Google Scholar]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Copyright Policy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
