Relationship between postural angle and work - related mosculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) among thermal fogging operators / Nur Amanina Najwa Haizan

• Main Author: Haizan, Nur Amanina Najwa
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine; Environmental health. Including sewage disposal, air pollution, nuisances, water supply; Occupational Health
• Online Access: http://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/42238/1/42238.pdf; http://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/42238/

Introduction: Thermal fogging operators were exposed to heavy physical activity that involves awkward posture and lifting heavy load. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between postural angle and work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) amongst thermal fogging operators. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 thermal fogging machine operators at Melaka Tengah District Health Office. The inclusion criteria were male, age (20-50 years old), thermal fogging operator at Melaka Tengah District Health Office, working experience more than one year and able to read and write; literate. Standardize Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ) was distributed to determine the prevalence of WMSDs. A video camera was used to observe the changes of postural angles while performing thermal fogging activities. A Chi-Square test was used to identify the relationship between postural angle and WMSDs. Result: There was a significant relationship between the changes of selected postural angles (neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, upper and lower limb) with WMSDs, P<0.05. Conclusion: Lifting heavy thermal fogging machine leads to the changes of postural angle and eventually contributing to WMSDs. Therefore, converting to a lighter thermal fogging machine is the practical approach to reduce the incidence of WMSDs in the future.