Harmful postures and musculoskeletal symptoms among sanitation workers of a fish processing factory in ghana: A preliminary investigation

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Abstract

This study investigated musculoskeletal symptoms among sanitation workers of a fish-processing factory. The methods used included administration of a questionnaire, walk through observation, interview, task analysis and future workshop. All 27 male participants answered and submitted their questionnaires. Of the 11 operations identified, all except one was considered safe. Bent back, bent legs, and heavy manual handling were observed to impose intolerable health risk on participants. This corresponds with questionnaire results in which musculoskeletal symptoms were mostly prevalent in the neck, the shoulder, the low back, the wrists/hands and the upper back regions. Poor psychosocial complaints were also made on the job. There was no significant correlation (p <.05) between musculoskeletal symptoms and age, working hours and length of service. Neither was any significant correlation observed (p <.05) between psychosocial work factors and musculoskeletal symptoms. Recommendations such as task redesign to eliminate high-risk elements in operations, workplace changes and worker training were suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)171-180
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ergonomics
  • Fish processing industry
  • Ghana
  • Posture
  • Sanitation workers

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