Analysis of influencing factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the wrist/hand among assembly workers in shipbuilding industry

Objective To investigate the influencing factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of the wrist/hand among assembly workers in the shipbuilding industry and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of such disorders.

Methods From March to December 2023, a total of 386 assembly workers from the shipbuilding industries in Liaoning and Guangdong provinces were selected using a convenience sampling method. The occurrence of wrist/hand WMSDs was assessed using the Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. A binary logistic regression model was employed to analyze potential influencing factors.

Results A total of 382 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 98.9%. The prevalence of wrist/hand WMSDs among these workers was 12.6%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that assembly workers who regularly/frequently handled heavy loads (> 20 kg per lift) had an increased risk of wrist/hand WMSDs (OR = 22.354), compared with the workers who never/seldom handled heavy loads; the workers regularly/frequently using vibratory tools had an increased risk of wrist/hand WMSDs (OR = 42.060), compared to the workers never/seldom using such tools; workers regularly/frequently working in uncomfortable postures had an increased risk of wrist/hand WMSDs (OR = 8.201), compared to the workers never/seldom working in uncomfortable postures; the workers working regularly/frequent overtime had an increased risk of wrist/hand WMSDs (OR = 8.407), compared to workers working never/seldom overtime; compared with assembly workers never/seldom gripping objects or tools by hand, the workers regularly/frequently gripping objects or tools by hand had an increased risk of wrist/hand WMSDs (OR = 28.219). All the above differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions Poor working postures and unreasonable work organization were the main factors contributing to wrist/hand WMSDs among these shipbuilding assembly workers. Improving poor ergonomic postures, providing appropriate tools or equipment, and arranging overtime more reasonably may help reduce the risk of wrist/hand WMSDs among this occupational group.