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Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Taiwanese Bakery Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Yi-Lang Chen

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
    Department of Industrial Design, Chang Gung University, Touyuan 33302, Taiwan)

  • Yan-Ting Zhong

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan)

  • Bang-Nan Liou

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan)

  • Chih-Chuan Yang

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan)

Abstract

In this study, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was administered to a valid sample of 81 Taiwanese bakery workers to explore their discomfort or symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and identify the risk factors. Wrist postures were also examined during 3 typical dough operations (kneading, rolling, and rounding) by using an electrogoniometer. The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in any part of the body in the past year among the respondents was 93.0%, with the highest prevalence of 66.3% and 51.8% in the hands/wrists (right and left), followed by the prevalence of 50.6% and 45.8% in the shoulders (right and left) and the lower back (48.2%), respectively. The results also revealed that during the 3 dough processing operations, the workers’ wrist movements in specific operations were close to the recommended limits suggested in previous studies, especially the ulnar deviation and palm flexion of the right wrist during dough kneading and the radial deviation of the left wrist during dough rolling and rounding. The study findings can be used to explain why the bakers self-report a high proportion of wrist and shoulder disorders and can also serve as a reference for task rearrangement and redesign.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi-Lang Chen & Yan-Ting Zhong & Bang-Nan Liou & Chih-Chuan Yang, 2020. "Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Taiwanese Bakery Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2960-:d:349936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Schmalz & Jasmin Schändlinger & Marvin Schuler & Jonas Bornmann & Benjamin Schirrmeister & Andreas Kannenberg & Michael Ernst, 2019. "Biomechanical and Metabolic Effectiveness of an Industrial Exoskeleton for Overhead Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Johannes L. Harmse & Jacobus C. Engelbrecht & Johan L. Bekker, 2016. "The Impact of Physical and Ergonomic Hazards on Poultry Abattoir Processing Workers: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yi-Lang Chen & Hans Alexander & Yi-Ming Hu, 2022. "Self-Reported Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Bus Drivers in the Taipei Metropolitan Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Yi-Lang Chen & Wen-Hua Luo, 2023. "Comparative Ergonomic Study Examining the Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms of Taiwanese and Thai Workers in a Tape Manufacturing Factory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.

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