Working Conditions in Carpet Weaving Workshops and Muscu-loskeletal Complaints among Workers in Tabriz - Iran

Carpet weaving operations usualy involve poor working conditions that can lead to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study investigated MSDs among car pet weavers in relation to working conditions from workers'' view in Tabriz City, Northwest Iran. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in city of Tabriz, Iran. Data were col lected using interviews and questionnaires. The study population consisted of 200 randomly selected healthy weavers from twenty five active carpet weaving workshops. The results showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among the study population. The most commonly affected body areas were neck, lower back, ankles/feet, hands/wrists, upper back, shoulders and knees, respectively. More than half of the weavers were not satisfied with the thermal con dition, noise level and cleanliness of the air in the workshops. The result indicated a significant relation ship between upper back symptoms and daily working time and between lower back symptoms and the numbers of rows of knots woven in a day. Weavers'' satisfaction with hand tools shape and thermal condi tion of the workshops were associated with lower back symptoms, whereas satisfaction with weaving looms were associated with upper back complaints. The poor working condition of hand-woven carpet workshops such as environmental con ditions and work station design and tools should be the subject of ergonomics interventions.