Ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal discomfort of poultry workers in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15675/gepros.3057Keywords:
Ergonomic asseement, Musculoskeletal disorders, Postural risk, Poultry workerAbstract
Purpose: Poultry farming is important to Nigeria’s economy in providing employment opportunities for many Nigerians. Studies on poultry workers' exposure to ergonomic risks causing musculoskeletal discomfort are sparse. The study aim to assess prevalence of ergonomic risk musculoskeletal discomfort among poultry workers using combined Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Design/methodology/approach: A purposively selected seventy-two poultry workers in Ibadan, Nigeria, participated in this study. Socio-demographic data including gender, age, working hours, work experience, and daily tasks were collected. The CMDQ was used to determine discomfort levels in various body regions, while REBA was employed to evaluate the ergonomic risks associated with their working postures. Findings: It was revealed that poultry workers frequently experience discomfort in the lower back, shoulders, knees, and upper back, with varying severity levels. The CMDQ revealed that some workers reported mild to severe discomfort in key body areas, which may impact productivity and overall well-being of the workers. The REBA scores revealed that 65.3% of the workers faced medium ergonomic risk, 29.1% faced high risk, 2.8% faced low risk, and 2.8% faced very high risk, necessitating various categories of interventions. Research, practical & social implications: There is need for urgent ergonomic intervention in poultry farming operations studied. This may require workstation redesign, ergonomic training, posture correction, and regular health assessments to reduce ergonomics risk. These measures if implemented will enhance worker safety, reduce musculoskeletal discomfort, and improve overall productivity of poultry workers.
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