Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are amongst dominant occupational injuries and disabilities in developed and developing countries. The RULA technique is one of the best methods for assessing upper limbs postures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the working postures using RULA and ergonomic interventions in the quality control unit of a glass manufacturing company.

Material and Methods: This interventional study was conducted in the mirror control workstations of a glass manufacturing company. To assess workers’ postures, the RULA technique was applied before and after the intervention. After data analysis, corrective engineering measures were recommended and implemented in all workstations.

Results: The findings showed that 40% of workers had a grand score of 7, 40% with a grand score of 6 and 20% with a grand score of 5. Accordingly, 60% of workstations were in action level of 3 (i.e. investigation and changes are required soon) and 40% of workstations were in action level of 4 (i. e. investigation and changes are required immediately). After intervention, 20% of workstations were in action level of 3 and 80% were in action level of 2.

Introduction: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in computer users is high. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ergonomic assessment musculoskeletal disorders risk in computer users determine the effect of an eight-week corrective exercises program on reduction of musculoskeletal pain.

Material and Methods: In the first phase of the study, RULA technique and Nordic questionnaires were used to evaluate postures and musculoskeletal disorders of 84 computer users of Tuyserkan administrations. In the next phase, 30 individuals for participating in a corrective exercises program intervention divided into two groups namely, experimental (n=15) and the controls (n=15). Subjects were re-evaluated after period of eight weeks. Data was analyzed using independent and dependent t-tests.

Results: The overall prevalence of pain was seen in neck, lumbar, shoulders, back, carpal and hand, elbow respectively. In posture analysis, 61.3 and 53.6 percent of subjects were in action level of 2 in left and right limbs respectively, 32.2 and 44.1 percent of subjects were in action level of 3 and 2.4 percent in level of 4 in right side. After the corrective exercise intervention, there was 38.3% significantly reduction pain for upper limbs (p=0.001) and 38.7% for lower limbs (p=0.006).

Conclusion: This study showed that frequency of musculoskeletal problems in neck, lumbar, shoulders, back, wrist was generally high among our subjects, and selected corrective exercises could reduce the risk level and pain.