Association of ergonomics risk factors among Iranian calico crafts-men and musculoskeletal discomforts: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have always been complaints reported by handicraft workers due to the repetitive and static nature of work. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the ergonomic conditions of craftsmen engaged with the calico industry. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was done in small calico industrial workshops in Isfahan, Iran, in 2022. The sample selection method in this study was census. Using QEC (Quick Exposure Checklist) and Cornell-Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), the ergonomic status of workers was evaluated. The data were analyzed using Chi-square (χ2) and Pearson’s product-moment correlation test. RESULTS: The risk level of working postures in wrist/hand, shoulder /arm, and neck were high or very high among the craftsmen. The relationships between discomfort complaints reported by the participants and the risk level of working postures were significant for neck χ(2) (1, N = 100) = 13.603, P(value) = 0.034, left knee χ(2) (1, N = 100) = 12.310, P(value) = 0.030 and lower left leg χ(2) (1, N = 100) = 11.906, P(value) = 0.042. The posture risk level scores for %57.7 of the participants who self-reported the right shoulder discomfort were found to be high or very high. CONCLUSIONS: The high risk found in most calico craftsmen may induce more serious musculoskeletal problems that require applicable interventions. The most important risk factors realized among calico craftsmen were prolonged sitting postures and repetitive tasks.