Causal Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Hollow Block Makers

This study sought to determine which among the causal factors such as demographic characteristics, manual handling risk, and ergonomic risk has significant risk in the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hollow block makers. An analytic observational study was employed using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) and ergonomic risk analysis assessment. The manual risk analysis reveals that all of the subjects had a score ranging from 11-15 and was considered very high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Work station, task, and hand tool analysis denote that most of the responses were “no†which indicate potential risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders except for material handling analysis. The common musculoskeletal disorders present among the subjects include muscle soreness, back pain, and numbness of the wrist. However, the study did not show that the causal factors have a significant relationship with the development of these musculoskeletal disorders. It is recommended that there should be proper body mechanics training and postural awareness among the hollow block makers. There should be environmental and material modifications to match the anthropometric measurements and materials used thus promoting the safety and lessen the risk of hollow block makers.

 

Keywords: Physical Therapy, musculoskeletal disorders, hollow block makers, ergonomic analysis, manual risk analysis, work analysis, Philippines