Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm), Paris, France.
Work. 2024;78(1):131-152. doi: 10.3233/WOR-230489.
This study focuses on evaluating the exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and association of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with various risk factors among dumper operators in the mining industry. Despite the issue's significance, prior research has been limited.
The study introduces a novel fuzzy-based approach for identifying, selecting, and prioritizing safety measures to mitigate MSD risks.
Data collection comprised face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scoring for posture assessment, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire for assessment of MSD prevalence. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyse the contributing risk factors to MSDs and WBV exposure. These risk factors formed the basis for a practical approach to select appropriate safety measures based on fuzzy based aggregation method of expert's judgment aimed at mitigating the risk of MSDs.
The results revealed that the risk factors such as poor work posture, WBV exposure and poor seat design were significantly associated with neck (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 4.81), upper limb and shoulder (aOR = 3.28), upper back (aOR = 5.09), and lower back pain (aOR = 3.67) at p < 0.05. Using these factors to formulate safety measures to reduce MSD risk, the minimization of sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation in designing the haul roads, scheduled maintenance practices, and ergonomic seat design were found as important safety measures in this study.
Our unique methodological approach in occupational health research could be highly beneficial for tailoring safety measures at the unit level with minimal effort.
本研究聚焦于评估采矿行业自卸车司机全身振动（WBV）暴露情况，以及各种风险因素与肌肉骨骼疾病（MSD）之间的关联。尽管这一问题意义重大，但先前的研究却十分有限。
本研究提出了一种新颖的基于模糊逻辑的方法，用于识别、选择和优先考虑安全措施，以减轻 MSD 风险。
数据收集包括面对面访谈、人体测量、姿势评估的快速上肢评估（RULA）评分，以及用于评估 MSD 患病率的北欧肌肉骨骼问卷。多元线性和逻辑回归模型用于分析导致 MSD 和 WBV 暴露的风险因素。这些风险因素构成了一种实用方法的基础，该方法基于模糊逻辑聚合方法，利用专家判断选择适当的安全措施，旨在减轻 MSD 风险。
结果表明，不良工作姿势、WBV 暴露和座椅设计不佳等风险因素与颈部（调整后的优势比 aOR=4.81）、上肢和肩部（aOR=3.28）、上背部（aOR=5.09）和下背部疼痛（aOR=3.67）显著相关，p 值均小于 0.05。使用这些因素制定减少 MSD 风险的安全措施，在设计运输道路时尽量减少急转弯和坡度的急剧变化、制定定期维护实践和采用符合人体工程学的座椅设计，被认为是本研究中的重要安全措施。
我们在职业健康研究中采用的独特方法学方法，可能非常有助于在最小的努力下为单位层面定制安全措施。
