Musculoskeletal symptoms due to technical preconditions in long cycle time work in an automobile assembly plant: a study of prevalence and relation to psychosocial factors and physical exposure

Appl Ergon. 1999 Oct;30(5):443-53. doi: 10.1016/s0003-6870(98)00059-3.

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the prevailing ergonomic conditions in a parallelized flow, long cycle time, assembly system. The evaluation focused on physical exposure, psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. A random sample of 67 assembly operators was included in a cross-sectional study mainly based on questionnaires. Hand/wrist symptoms were common and related to work exposure with hand-held powered tools. In general, the self-reported physical exposure showed only a few significant associations with musculoskeletal symptoms. This may in part be explained by the ergonomic conditions generally being good, with a relatively low duration of 'combined' extreme work postures. Significant associations were found between the psychosocial work environment and musculoskeletal symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Automobiles*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ergonomics*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Hand / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / etiology
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / etiology*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / psychology
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Occupational Diseases / psychology
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Posture / physiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Shoulder Pain / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Workload
  • Workplace
  • Wrist / physiopathology