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Background & Objectives: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are one of the most important factors for occupational injuries and disabilities with the back injuries being the most common work-related injuries in different industries. The aim of the present study was to assess risk factors related to MSDs and Ergonomics intervention to reduce these disorders. Methods: This interventional study (descriptive-analytical) was conducted on 40 workers in a lead mine. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and QEC method were used to collect data before and after the interventions. The interventional program included reducing weight of the load, changing height of the unloading surface, job rotation, and workers' training. Data obtained from this study were analyzed by Mcnemar and Cochran tests using SPSS v16 software. Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence of MSDs in the past year was related to lower back (57.5%) followed by knees (50%). Significant reduction in MSDs in different body regions was observed after intervention. Based on Cochran test, significant differences were found between prevalence rates of reported MSDs in lower back and knee regions before intervention and 4 and 9 months after intervention (p=0.002, p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed significant reduction in MSDs 9 months after the intervention. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying concurrent engineering and administrative interventions as a simple, practical, and inexpensive method aw well as constant monitoring to ensure proper implementation of these interventions in prolonged periods of time may effectively reduce musculoskeletal disorders in small-scale and poor industries.

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Background & Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders caused by poor posture are the most common occupational illnesses. Among all the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in assembling industry, this descriptive-analytical study aimed to assess posture of assemblers working in a gas turbine company as well as the effect of training using OCRA method. Methods: At first, a film was taken from work procedure and posture of the operators and then prevalence of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders was determined for 96 technicians (assemblers) using Nordic questionnaire. Posture score was assigned to each task by OCRA software. Face to face training was provided to assembling workers on doing tasks correctly and the posture was reassessed. Data were analyzed by One Way ANOVA and t-test using SPSS-16. Results: The highest complaints were recorded for wrist and shoulder. Mean OCRA risk scores were significantly different between right and left hands for all cases. There were also significant differences in OCRA risk scores between connection box, piping, connection MBT-MBP, and fasten unit wall job groups. However, risk score index displayed no significant differences between connection MBT-MBP and roof assembly job groups. Total OCRA risk scores of before training significantly differed from those of after trainings. Conclusion: According to the results, OCRA is a useful method for assessment of musculoskeletal disorders in assembly industries. Considering effectiveness of training on decreasing the risks, ergonomic training to individuals is recommended.

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Background & Objectives: Low back pain is a major problem among industrial workers. A major part of the work-related injuries is involvement of musculoskeletal system for which about 60% is related to back pain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain and its association with work- and personal-related factors among workers of Hamadan province industries.

Methods: For this�descriptive analytical study, 400 workers were selected by systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using NORDIC and International Physical Activity questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods and chi-square test using SPSS software.

Results: Our results showed that the average age, job tenure, and working hours per week of the subjects were, 34.85 years, 5.76 years, and 52.96 hours, respectively. 69.2, 19.2, and 11.6% of the subjects had respectively high, medium, and low physical activity levels. The prevalence of low back pain was 57.1 %. There were significant relationships between LBP and job tenure�(p=0.000), working hours per week (p=0.000), and level of physical activity (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Prevalence of LPB was high (57.1%) despite the low job tenure and low age of the workers. Decreasing working hours per week, avoiding workers to do heavy physical activities, and limiting manual handling may improve work conditions and decrease the rate of back pain and prevent the risk of low back pain in the workplace.

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Background & objectives: This study aims to evaluate the risk factors and the prevalence of WMSDs disorders using QEC and Body Map techniques in operational units took a gas refineries and its Meta-Reflection.

Methods: This case study assessed 254 operators in three distinct phases. First, 72 workstation posture was evaluated by using of QEC. Secondly was intended for employees of WMSDs were assessed using by Body Map. After conducting interview with relevant directors, the effectiveness of such studies has been analyzed through Meta-Reflection.

Results: Based on results came from QEC survey, the operators’ average scores was 53/8%. Moreover, results of Body Map assessment showed that the highest organs of WMSDs were back and knee extrusions (47% and 46% respectively). Also, lack of ergonomics policy and plan within refinery has demonstrated by interviews. Meta-Reflection, on the other hand, showed that because of incomplete learning cycles in the above mentioned surveys which only provide WMSDs’ status, workstations’ ergonomics condition, and introduce expert based solutions. Thus, such surveys not only have incomplete study plan, but also have less impact on improving overall health, safety and ergonomics within this organization.

Conclusion: This research proves that non-ergonomic conditions result in awkward postures and subsequent physical disorders. Overall, this study has showed a gap from this kind of the work in the learning cycles at organizational levels, a trend should be considered to interactive research work on the workplaces with improved and promoted system ergonomics attitude.

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Background & objectives: This study aims to evaluate the risk factors and the prevalence of WMSDs disorders using QEC and Body Map techniques in operational units took a gas refineries and its Meta-Reflection.

Methods: This case study assessed 254 operators in three distinct phases. First, 72 workstation posture was evaluated by using of QEC. Secondly was intended for employees of WMSDs were assessed using by Body Map. After conducting interview with relevant directors, the effectiveness of such studies has been analyzed through Meta-Reflection.

Results: Based on results came from QEC survey, the operators’ average scores was 53/8%. Moreover, results of Body Map assessment showed that the highest organs of WMSDs were back and knee extrusions (47% and 46% respectively). Also, lack of ergonomics policy and plan within refinery has demonstrated by interviews. Meta-Reflection, on the other hand, showed that because of incomplete learning cycles in the above mentioned surveys which only provide WMSDs’ status, workstations’ ergonomics condition, and introduce expert based solutions. Thus, such surveys not only have incomplete study plan, but also have less impact on improving overall health, safety and ergonomics within this organization.

Conclusion: This research proves that non-ergonomic conditions result in awkward postures and subsequent physical disorders. Overall, this study has showed a gap from this kind of the work in the learning cycles at organizational levels, a trend should be considered to interactive research work on the workplaces with improved and promoted system ergonomics attitude.

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Background & objectives: Present study aimed to determine rate of symptoms of the musculoskeletal disorders in different body regions and ergonomic assessment of the workplace and their risk factors among faculty members and other staffs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all 59 teachers and employees in School of Public Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Nordic questionnaire was used to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in various organs of the body. To assess workplace risk factors standard and integrated check list of office conditions was used.

Results: Within the last year the highest prevalence of skeletal disorders was observed in hip (85.7 %) and neck & shoulders (64.3%) among academic members and back (60%) and wrist & neck (44%) among other staffs. Statistically significant associations were found between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in neck and work experience among staffs and between the back disorders and working hour per day (p<0.05) in academic members. 83.6 percent of the employees stood at the first priority for corrective actions. Poor posture and poor work station design were identified as risk factors.

Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high in hip regions of faculty members and lumbar region of other employees. Therefore, implementation of workplace ergonomics intervention seems necessary. Designing workstations according to ergonomic principles, training of teachers and employees on principles of ergonomics, job diversity, and soft exercise at certain intervals can be components of these programs.

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Background & objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the common causes of occupational injury and disability among various occupations. Hairdresser in their careers faces many harmful factors, including musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the neck, waist and shoulder areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of individual and occupational risk factors on the prevalence and consequence of musculoskeletal disorders in female hairdressers in Qazvin with a structural equation modeling approach.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 153 participants were recruited from Qazvin female hairdressers. The structural equation modeling in LISREL software (version 8.8) was used to determine the effect of risk factors on the prevalence and consequence of musculoskeletal disorders,
Results: Based on modeling results, age, body mass index, weight and work experience showed a positive relationship. On the other hand, work ability index showed negative relationship with musculoskeletal pain and its consequences. Demographic and occupational variables are main predictor of (82%) of musculoskeletal disorders, absence from work and visiting a doctor among female hairdressers.
Conclusion: Considering that more than half of the hairdressers are suffering from neck and waist discomfort and about one-third of them suffering from shoulder discomfort, so modifying their work situation are necessary. 82% of the pressure on the limbs can be reduced by reducing the retirement age, maintaining proper weight, and increasing the ability to do work. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, visits to the doctor, and the absence from work can be reduced.

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Background & objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the cause of most of the disabilities and labor-induced absences in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between occupational and individual risk factors and the prevalence and outcomes of musculoskeletal disorders among the rescue department employee.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the rescue department employees of Qazvin. One hundred fourteen staffs were recruited in year 2016. Data gathering tool was Nordic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression test were conducted using SPSS (ver 18).
Results: Based on this study, 68.4% of the staff in the rescue department has suffered in one of the body regions during the last year. Musculoskeletal disorders in employee had 2.7 times negative association with lower level of education and higher work stress accordingly (staff with a high school diploma compared to bachelors) and (people with higher compared to higher stress). The Red Crescent workers were at higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders and work absence than fire workers (5.2 times in single-variable analysis and 13.09 in multivariate analysis).
Conclusion: Factors including age, weight, work hours and history, education, type of job and work-related stress can affect the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its consequences. Among these factors, educations, type of job and stress during work have the most impact on prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and whole body and shoulder pain.

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Background & objectives: In recent years, the rapid growth of technology and the use of computers have affected almost all office work stations. Musculoskeletal disorders are very common among administrative staff. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the ergonomic status and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in office staff affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was conducted on 96 office staff affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2018. To evaluate the ergonomic status, ROSA method and to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, Nordic standard questionnaire was used. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, one-way ANOVA and descriptive statistics with SPSS-22 software
Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in staff was higher in the neck (62.5%), shoulder (57.3%) and lower back (57.3%) than the other organs. The average ROSA score in the society was 4.9 ±1.02. 70.8% of the subjects were evaluated in warning zone and 29.2% in the area of immediate corrective measures. There was a relationship between the final score of ROSA and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders and lower back. There was also a relationship between age, gender, work experience and the final score of ROSA.
Conclusion: The ROSA method was determined as a suitable tool for evaluating the ergonomic status of office stations. According to the results, employees are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders and have workstations with ergonomic risk factors. Therefore, tensile movements, adjusting work schedules, using equipment such as a document holder and Headset are recommended.