Musculoskeletal Disorders in Tyre Manufacturing Workers

BACKGROUND: Tyre manufacturing workers are at risk of developing WRMSDs as their job repeatedly involves elevated arm postures, lifting of tyres, pushing or pulling trolleys, trunk bending and twisting. AIM: To assess WRMSDs in tyre manufacturing workers. METHODOLOGY: This was an observational study involving 99 tyre manufacturing workers. Persons with any history of recent trauma, major hospitalization or surgery in past 12 months were excluded. Workers were screened according to Nordic questionnaire for assessing the musculoskeletal disorders and REBA analysis was done. They were also assessed for flexibility of hamstring using AKE test and isometric endurance of back extensors using Sorenson test. RESULTS: 97% workers were under 30 years of age and 91% were males. The average duration of work was 27 months. In the past 12 months, 36% workers reported low back pain, 24.2% shoulder pain, 24.2% neck pain, 19% knee pain and 20% ankle/foot pain. REBA analysis revealed TBR and PCR manufacturing workers to be at higher and lower end of medium risk category, respectively. Average AKE values were 39.45(0) and 38.45(0) on the right and left, respectively, indicating that hamstring tightness was common, average back muscle endurance was 40.68 sec. However, AKE or back muscle endurance was not statistically related to back pain (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tyre workers showed involvement of multiple joints. LBP was predominant complaint but was not related to hamstrings tightness or back muscle endurance.