Prevailing factors of musculoskeletal disorders in steel foundry workers

Abstract

This study aims to determine the causes and spread of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among workers in a steel foundry based in Oran (Algeria). The Nordic questionnaire (Kuorinka et al, 1987) was used to diagnosis and evaluate the pain and discomfort of (MSD) among the sample of the present study (n=30). Their demographic characteristics were as follows: mean age = 40.46 years, average weight = 71.83 kg, average height = 171 cm, average seniority in the company = 11 years). The results showed that 51.85 % of workers suffered from pain and discomfort in the lower back, and 40.74 % at the shoulders. The causes of pain and discomfort are due to a combination of factors like high work pace, heavy load carriage (more than 10 kg), in addition to the adoption of static postures for long periods, and the presence of repetitive tasks. The study concluded that attention should be paid to the working conditions in the steel foundry under investigation, particularly in providing weight lifting equipment, redesigning job and work methods to avoid painful postures, beside the reduction of work rate and the reorganization of rest pauses.