Ergonomic Risk Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Workers in the Cement Block Manufacturing Companies in Tema.

Abstract

Background: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) has for quite a long-time continued to be the world's leading health crisis among the working population. The prevalence or the disease burden among workers in the cement -block manufacturing companies in Ghana is not known. A study to determine the prevalence and the associated ergonomic risk factors of WRMDs among such working group is worth pursuing. Objective: The study was to assess the ergonomic risk factors; mainly on awkward postures and work-related psychosocial stress factors and to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the male workers in the cement block manufacturing companies. Methodology: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted among 103 participants from the Tema Metropolis. It involved workers from 17 different Cement Block Manufacturing (CBM) companies or enterprise. A modified Standard Nordic WRMSDs and Job Content Questionnaires and Videotaping were used to solicit information on self-reported symptoms of WRMSDs and work-related psychosocial stress factors respectively. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) worksheet was used for postural evaluation. Results: All the 103 participants have experienced the WRMSDs at different body regions within the last 7 days and 12 months' prevalence. Low back pain was the most prevailing forms of WRMDs (88.34%) among the workers. Conclusion: WRMSDs is indeed endangering the health and safety of the workers. There is an urgent need for workers, owners of companies and the country as a whole to consider it as a national public health problem that needs an immediate remediation.