Ergonomic Risk Assessment by RULA among Informal Sector Workers of Rom Suk Broom Weaving

Abstract

Background and objective : Some worker have puformed constant work with long sitting for eight hours per day. This study aimed to investigate ergonomics risk for musculoskeletal and upper limb disorders among Rom Suk broom weaving workers.

Methods : This study was a cross-sectional analytic research. Data were collected by using structural questionnaires and the standard rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) in 80 Rom Suk broom weaving workers by purposive sampling method. Data analysis were descriptive statistics and inferential statistics for correlation analysis at 95% confidence interval.

Results : Three-month prevalence of musculoskeletal and upper limb disorders was 83.75%. The most reported symptoms was muscle fatigue (90.0%) caused by prolonged sitting in the same posture at work (92.5%). The results showed that 51.2% of workstation levels were below worker’s elbow height. RULA identified ergonomics risk from working posture of workers at level 2 for 41.2%, level 3 for 41.2% and level 4 for 17.5%. Shoulder flexion, wrist extension and deviation, static muscle movement effort, repetitive muscle movement and body bench were significantly correlated with musculoskeletal and upper limb disorders (p < 0.05).

Conclusion : Rapid upper limb assessments identified ergonomics risk of workers from working posture. Therefore, there must be the improvement of working conditions and the follow-up program to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among broom weaving workers.

Keywords: Informal sector workers, Ergonomics, RULA, Musculoskeletal disorders