Characteristics and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of construction workers

  Objective  To investigate the current situation and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs)among construction workers.

  Methods  Using convenience sampling method, 471 construction workers from 8 construction companies located in Guangdong, Liaoning, Shandong, Beijing were selected as research objects. The prevalence of WMSDs was collected by using the online version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire under on-site guidance, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs of construction workers.

  Results  A total of 453 valid questionnaires were collected, and the effective response rate was 91.2%. The total prevalence of WMSDs of these construction workers was 43.7%, and the higher prevalence were 24.1%(109/453)in the lower back, 18.3%(83/453)in the shoulder, and 14.6%(66/453)in the neck, respectively. Among 198 construction workers with WMSDs, the proportion of WMSDs in 1 to 3 body parts was 81.3%(161/198). Compared with age < 38 years old, the risk of WMSDs of construction workers aged 38 - 48 years old and ≥ 48 years old was 2.213 times and 2.573 times, respectively (P < 0.05); the risk of WMSDs of construction workers carrying heavy objects > 5 kg each time, or squatting and kneeling for a long time, or working in uncomfortable posture, or working overtime or holding the same waist position for long period was increased by 1.711, 1.010, 11.247, 1.214 and 1.002 times respectively, compared with the other construction workers(P < 0.05). The risk of WMSDs of construction workers with sufficient rest time was only 0.552 of these with insufficient rest(P < 0.05), while the risk of WMSDs of workers with higher school education or more was only 0.425 of these with middle school education or below(P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  Construction workers were at higher risk for WMSDs, with the lower back, shoulders and neck at higher risk. The influencing factors of WMSDs of construction workers were elder, lower school education, carrying heavy loads, squatting or kneeling for a long time, working in uncomfortable posture, insufficient rest time, overtime working, and staying in one position for a long time. Therefore, the construction companies should strengthen staff training, publicize correct ergonomic knowledge, identify and reduce bad working posture, increase the frequency and time of breaks and other measures to reduce the risk of construction workers suffering from WMSDs.