Risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders by Muscle Fatigue Assessment method and implementation of an ergonomic intervention in Assembly industry

Musculoskeletal disorders are a major part of occupational diseases in working environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders by the Muscle Fatigue Assessment (MFA) method. This study also sought to determine the effects of an ergonomic intervention on the mentioned risk in an assembly industry. Methods: This study was conducted on 15 people working in the assembly line. Medical records of assembly line workers were reviewed and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ) after one year of intervention. Activities of these workers in the assembly line were evaluated by the Muscle Fatigue Assessment method (MFA) and workers were given the necessary training. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-16 software. Results: The initial evaluations showed that neck, back, leg and knee, respectively in 6.67, 20 and 13.33% were in "very high" priority corrective measures. Re-assessments after the intervention showed that percentage of people with musculoskeletal disorders in the neck in the "very high" corrective actions changed to zero. The percentage of organs, with "high" corrective actions before the intervention, was greatly reduced. For example, a reduction was recorded around the waist from 60% to 33.33% and neck from 53% to 26.27% after the intervention. A total of 30 cases of abnormalities were detected before the intervention, and after the intervention this number reduced to 11. conclusions: According to MFA score, risk of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced by intervention in this industry and according to Questionnaire, prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was also significantly reduced. Received: 1.05.2016 Accepted: 07.06.2016