Abstract

OBJECTS: This study was conducted to prepare the primitive data of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among ship-yard workers in order to set up management and prevention strategies by investigating the risk factors for WMSD symptoms.
METHODS
We carried out a self-administered questionnaire survey of 7,237 blue-collar workers during October 2001, in a ship-yard of Kyungsangnam Province. We collected 2,223 questionnaires and analysed 1,985. The questionnaires included demographic data, quick exposure check (QEC) for ergonomic risk factors, and Karasek's job content questionnaires (JCQ) for job stress. WMSDs were evaluated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveillance criteria.
RESULTS
Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms. From the results, significant variables were age, maximum weight of manual handling material, frequency of the back movement during manual handling tasks, deviation or bending of the wrists/hands position, excessively bent or twisted head/neck, job dissatisfaction, and high job demand.
CONCLUSIONS
In order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders of ship-yard workers, it is recommended to reduce the frequency of back movement during manual handling tasks, wrists/hand deviation or bending, and neck bending or twisting. In addition, devoted effort is needed to increase job satisfaction and to reduce job demand.

• Keywords: Ship-yard workers;Work-related musculoskeletal disorders;Risk factors