The relationships between prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) symptoms, associated risk factors, and work productivity among industrial workers in a manufacture factory

Ooi, Zi Feng (2025) The relationships between prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) symptoms, associated risk factors, and work productivity among industrial workers in a manufacture factory. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are among the most common occupational health issues and are frequently associated with repetitive physical activities. In the manufacturing sector, many jobs still require manual, repetitive tasks, heightening the risk of WMSDs due to sustained and repetitive motion over time. This study explores the connection between the presence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) symptoms, associated risk factors, and work productivity among assembly line workers who regularly engage in repetitive tasks in a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) manufacturing factory. Data on ergonomic risk factors, MSDs symptoms, and productivity indicators (such as absenteeism, presenteeism, and selfrated work efficiency) were collected from 60 assembly line employees using the Modified Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and an online Google form. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and binary logistic regression were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 30. The findings revealed a 93.3% overall prevalence of MSD symptoms among participants in the past week. The most affected areas were the neck (51.7%), lower back (50.0%), right shoulder (48.3%), right foot (45.0%), and left foot (40.0%). The Mann-Whitney U Test indicated that MSDs symptoms were significantly related to presenteeism and self-reported work efficiency (both p < 0.001). Further binary logistic regression analysis highlighted significant associations between right foot MSDs and gender (OR = 5.296, 95% CI = 1.123–24.975, p = 0.035), as well as previous injuries (OR = 43.886, 95% CI = 4.373–440.457, p = 0.001). Symptoms in vii the right and left forearms were significantly linked to the workers’ daily working hours with the p-value of 0.036 (OR = 0.212, 95% CI = 0.050–0.904) and 0.006 (OR = 0.062, 95% CI = 0.008-0.456), respectively, and MSDs in the right wrist were associated with the frequency of microbreaks (OR = 0.363, 95% CI = 0.138–0.956, p = 0.040). In summary, assembly line workers in an HVAC manufacturing facility showed a high rate of MSDs symptoms, which were closely tied to presenteeism and perceived work efficiency, and considered factors that directly influence overall productivity. To address these issues, the study recommends implementing health surveillance and ergonomic interventions based on the hierarchy of controls. Suggested measures include ergonomic workstation design, job rotation, specialized tools, and employee training, which aim at improving safety, reducing absenteeism, boosting morale, and enhancing productivity. Keywords: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms, Repetitive Tasks, Manufacturing Industry, Work Productivity Subject Area: RC925–935 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

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