Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: In the orthotic and prosthetic workshops, awkward postures, repetitive and continuously movements etc. are the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was conducted with the objective of ergonomic assessment of working conditions in these workshops.

Material and Methods: In this study all employed personnel of linorthotic and prosthetic production centers in Shiraz city participated (n=42).Data were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) and Ergonomic Risk Factor checklist (ERF)for assessment of working conditions .Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (Ver. 16).

Results: The means (SD) of age and job tenure (years) in employees studied were 37.26 (10.21) and 12.8 (9.39), respectively .The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in lower back (42.9%), shoulder (40.5%) and knee (40.5%).Working condition assessment by ERF check list revealed that the means core of upper and lower region of body and also mean of total score were higher than acceptable limit (more than 7)..

Conclusion: In working conditions improvement, corrective measures and MSDs risk factors control in studied workers should be noted to risk factors in low back, shoulder and knee. The results of this study showed that ergonomic problems in orthotics and prosthetics clinics was related to "custom shoe making", "grinding and finishing", "filling plaster cast" and "positive cast rectification" tasks and ergonomic interventions to decrees and/or eliminate of awkward working posture needed corrections.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the major causes of work-related disability in healthcare workers (HCW). One of the main causes of WDSDs is patient handling. This study aimed to identify hazardous conditions related to patient handling in hospital environments.

Material and Methods: Patient handling activities were evaluated in 23 wards of three hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the required data through interviews with at least 23 HCW. Number of patient transfers per shift, patients’ ability to move to/from bed/stretcher, type and rate of personnel injuries, and necessity of transfer assist devices were surveyed.

Results: Over five manual patient transfers per shift were performed in 70% of the wards. More than 70% of the patients were completely or relatively unable to cooperate in their own transfer. In more than 80% of the wards, the staff involved in patient handling activities suffered from various WMSDs, mainly low back pain (48.78%). Almost all (95%) participants believed that transfer assist devices were necessary and helpful and could be beneficial to not only the patients, but also the HCW and the hospital.

Conclusion: Patients in most hospital wards need help when moving to/from bed/stretcher. Patient handling is generally performed manually by HCW. The high prevalence rate of WMSDs in the participating HCW highlighted the necessity of an ergonomic intervention, e.g. the use of transfer assist devices, for patient handling.