Musculoskeletal disorders among small trades workers: A survey in the bakeries

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) are common health problems and major causes of disability. Lack of agreement between job demand and work capacity may lead to cumulative trauma disorders. These disorders overall caused in months and years facing with extra-physical and psychological stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of CTD in the Kerman bakery employers.

This study was carried out on baker population of four different types of bakeries (Tafton davar,Tafton sonnati,sangak and baget). 384 samples were randomly selected by proportional cluster sampling and data analysis was done by SPSS 15 Software.

The most percentage of neck CTD and shoulders CTD were observed in sellers (7.1%) and share bakers (27.8%). The most prevalence of waist and wrist/hand CTD were observed in kneader task (33.3% and 38.1% respectively). It showed significant statistical relationship with shoulder, wrist/hand and waist CTD. Work history also showed significant relationship with the four type of CTD.

The high prevalence of CTD in the bakers with respect to this fact that majority of them had low age (mean age=30) and low work history, indicates that attention to this problem is necessary. Therefore, ergonomics controls to eliminate or reduce exposure of employee to the ergonomics stressors is recommended.