"I Don't Regret Living with My Pain": A Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Case Study
Abstract
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a dominant occupational health issue for older adults in the workforce. However, existing literature has not investigated the prevalence and development of WMSDs among older adults working as clean room assemblers. This case study aimed to provide ergonomic recommendations to the product assembly industry by examining the ergonomic/psychosocial risk factors and WMSD symptoms experienced by PVP, a 76-year-old female medical implant clean room assembler. Using mixed methods, data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and two WMSD risk assessment tools (Moore-Garg Strain Index, Hand Threshold Limit Value) to understand PVP’s psychosocial environment and evaluate her job tasks during product assembly. Results indicated that PVP experiences severe upper and lower limb pain during task completion due to long duration, awkward postures, and repetition. Additionally, critical job tasks were rated as “hazardous” for potential WMSD development. Finally, three workplace issues (high productivity pressure, limited job control, strained employee relations) were identified. Recommendations to reduce WMSD risk include using upper limb support devices, implementing job rotation, reducing productivity quotas, increasing worker autonomy, and rectifying organizational communication practices. This research emphasizes the importance of considering ergonomics to improve worker health, comfort, and productivity for aging employees in the workforce.
"I Don't Regret Living with My Pain": A Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Case Study
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a dominant occupational health issue for older adults in the workforce. However, existing literature has not investigated the prevalence and development of WMSDs among older adults working as clean room assemblers. This case study aimed to provide ergonomic recommendations to the product assembly industry by examining the ergonomic/psychosocial risk factors and WMSD symptoms experienced by PVP, a 76-year-old female medical implant clean room assembler. Using mixed methods, data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and two WMSD risk assessment tools (Moore-Garg Strain Index, Hand Threshold Limit Value) to understand PVP’s psychosocial environment and evaluate her job tasks during product assembly. Results indicated that PVP experiences severe upper and lower limb pain during task completion due to long duration, awkward postures, and repetition. Additionally, critical job tasks were rated as “hazardous” for potential WMSD development. Finally, three workplace issues (high productivity pressure, limited job control, strained employee relations) were identified. Recommendations to reduce WMSD risk include using upper limb support devices, implementing job rotation, reducing productivity quotas, increasing worker autonomy, and rectifying organizational communication practices. This research emphasizes the importance of considering ergonomics to improve worker health, comfort, and productivity for aging employees in the workforce.