Musculoskeletal disorder: The assessment among palm oil mill workers in selected palm oil mills in Malaysia

Razak, Muhammad Shahmi (2014) Musculoskeletal disorder: The assessment among palm oil mill workers in selected palm oil mills in Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text lp FPSK4 2014 13.pdf Download (39MB)

Abstract

Introduction: Palm oil mill production process involved awkward posture, repetitive movement and heavy load lifting which may significantly contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). However, there have been less studies on MSD has been done among this group of workers. The objective of this study was (a) to determine the prevalence of MSD among the palm oil mill workers, (b) to determine their perception of exertion while performing work tasks, (c) to determine their respective postural MSD risks, and (d) to investigate the association ofthe risk factors with one-year prevalence of MSD. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done in three selected palm oil mills. A set of questionnaire which included Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and Borg's CR-I0 Scale was used. Rapid Entire Body Nordic Questionnaire and Borg's CR-I0 Scale was used. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) (to determine postural MSD risks) was also used. Association tests between the risk factors and one-year MSD reporting was done. Results: The one-year prevalence of MSD among the palm oil workers was 50.8%. The highest MSD symptom was reported at the waistlthigh (21.7%). Work sections with the highest MSD symptoms reported was Loading Ramp (78.6%) and Grading Area (72.7%). The Shooters in the Grading Area reported the most MSD symptoms on their body parts (36.4% to 45.5%) included neck, shoulder, handlwrist, anklellegs, upper back, lower back, and waistlthigh. Majority of the workers had low average perception of exertion (54)in respect to their work tasks (75.6%). However, the shooters from the Grading Area and Press Area reported highest average perception of exertion (>4). Majority of the workers reported a very high postural MSD risk level (55.6%). Workshop, Grading Area, and Boiler Area were reported with the most critical levels of postural MSD risks (REBA score: 11 to 14). There are significant association between one-year MSD reported of history on previous injury (OR 2.35, CI 1.12 to 4.93), Osteoarthritis (OR 3.90, C1 1.57 to 9.70), and level of perceived exertion (OR 8.09, CI 1.36 to 48.17) Conclusion: More than half of the palm oil mill workers reported MSD symptoms for the past 12 months. REBA indicated that workers are subjected to very high postural MSD risk level. The most affected workers by MSD are shooters from the Grading Area. History of previous injury, Osteoarthritis, and level of perceived exertion was found to be important risk factors for MSD among the workers. Keywords: musculoskeletal disorder, palm oil mill, REBA, Borg's scale, standardized Nordic questionnaire

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms. Adni Syuhaida Zon
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2022 03:28
Last Modified:	21 Mar 2023 03:41
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/431

Actions (login required)

View Item