Risk Assessment of Computer User's Upper Musculoskeletal limbs Disorders in a Power Company by means of RULA Method and NMQ in 1390

Development and rapid increase of computer usage in all aspects of industry and society has been caused remarkable increase in musculoskeletal disorders of upper limbs. So، this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of upper musculoskeletal limbs disorders، to assess potential risk to them and their relations with demographic characteristics among computer users of a power company`s Computer Users. In this cross sectional and descriptive - analytic study، all computer users who worked in official units (60 people) of a power company that had entry criteria were chosen in 1390. In this study، Nordic questionnaire and RULA method were used. Data gathering was analyzed by applying SPSS13 software، statistical tests، Chi-Square and Independent Sample T- test. The results of the questionnaire revealed that the most pain was related to back (80. 00%)، neck (73. 30%)، arms/ wrists (73. 30%)، and shoulder (46. 70%) respectively، in past year. There was also significant relation between the outbreak of back musculoskeletal disorders with age variations، job experience، and users` length (p<0. 05). The results of RULA revealed that 73. 3%، 6. 7% and 20% of computer users were exposed to medium، high، and very high risk of exposure to work، respectively. Computer users were determined from the medium risk level to very high risk level. Thus، in accordance with determined priority level of corrective action، ergonomic intervention and changes commensurate with working condition should be carried out. In order to prevent disorders and obtaining more efficiency، ergonomic instructions related to working with computer were trained to staffs and recommendations were presented in this field.