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. 2023 Aug 8;21(2):e2022878.
doi: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-878. eCollection 2023 Apr-Jun.

Occupational risks and musculoskeletal complaints among industrial workers: a cross-sectional study

Iraneide Nascimento Dos Santos  1 , Adriana Sarmento de Oliveira  2 , Luciana Gonzalez Auad Viscardi  2 , Jennifer Ariely Sales Suassuna  3 , Amilton da Cruz Santos  3 , Maria do Socorro Brasileiro-Santos  3
Affiliations

Occupational risks and musculoskeletal complaints among industrial workers: a cross-sectional study

Iraneide Nascimento Dos Santos et al. Rev Bras Med Trab. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders result from the overuse of the musculoskeletal system and insufficient time for the structures to recover. They are generally characterized by chronic pain, paresthesia, feeling of heaviness and fatigue, especially in the upper extremities, concomitantly or not, with an insidious onset.

Objectives: To characterize musculoskeletal complaints and occupational risks in workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 60 participants in a Workers' Health Reference Center with clinical and imaging diagnosis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The instrument used contained 30 questions about individual factors, occupational risks, and musculoskeletal abnormalities. The results were analyzed descriptively, and the chi-square test was used to assess associations with a significance level at p < 0.05. Data analysis was performed using BioEstat 5®.

Results: Most participants were men (66.7%) working in the industrial sector. The most common complaint was pain (100%) in the shoulders (43.8%) and lumbar spine (22%), and the most common abnormalities were tendinopathies and intervertebral disc disorders. The following risk factors were identified: 8-hour workday (80%); repetitive gestures (86.7%); twisting (58.3%); bending (61.7%); standing (66.7%); manual work (96.7%); and 10-30 kg of weight handled (35%).

Conclusions: A large number of workers exposed to biomechanical and organizational risks report musculoskeletal pain. Employers should check working conditions and adjust them, investing in health promotion and protection actions to effectively reduce the occurrence of these disorders.

Introdução: Os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho são decorrentes da utilização excessiva do sistema osteomuscular e da falta de tempo para recuperação dessas estruturas. Geralmente, são caracterizados por dor crônica, parestesia, sensação de peso e fadiga, sobretudo em membros superiores, concomitantes ou não, de aparecimento insidioso.

Objetivos: Caracterizar as queixas osteomioarticulares e os riscos ocupacionais em trabalhadores portadores de distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho.

Métodos: Estudo observacional com análise transversal, realizado com 60 participantes em um Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador, com diagnóstico clínico e de imagem dos distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho. O instrumento utilizado continha 30 questões sobre fatores individuais, riscos ocupacionais e alterações osteomusculares. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e, para avaliar as associações, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado, considerando nível de significância p < 0,05. As análises foram realizadas no programa BioEstat 5®.

Resultados: A amostra foi majoritariamente masculina (66,7%) e do setor industrial. A queixa mais relatada foi a dor (100%) nos ombros (43,8%) e região lombar da coluna (22%), e as alterações mais encontradas foram tendinopatias e transtornos nos discos vertebrais. Alguns fatores de risco identificados foram: jornada de trabalho de 8 horas (80%); realizar gestos repetitivos (86,7%); torções (58,3%); deslocamentos (61,7%); adotar a posição bípede (ortostática) do corpo (66,7%); trabalho manual (96,7%); transporte de peso entre 10 e 30 kg (35%).

Conclusões: Um grande número de trabalhadores expostos a riscos biomecânicos e organizacionais relata dores musculoesqueléticas. Cabe aos empresários verificar as condições de trabalho e ajustá-las, investindo em ações de promoção e proteção à saúde, para efetivamente reduzir a ocorrência desses distúrbios.

Keywords: cumulative trauma disorders; musculoskeletal disorders; occupational health; occupational risks; signs and symptoms.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of occurrences of work activities, body postures and movements performed by workers. UE = upper extremities.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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