Investigation of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Factors among Vegetable Farm Workers

One of the major targets of agricultural mechanization is body and psychic discomfort reduction that it follows by method, devices and work condition reformation. Due to less development of vegetables mechanization, many of operations are done by hand in Iran and around the world. Regarding high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among farm workers and due to lack of information concerning posture analyzing; this cross-sectional study was carried out among 95 vegetable farm workers by using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) through interview and Ovako Working-posture Analysis System (OWAS) to identify working postures precisely in order to revise their work stations. χ2 and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. Regression analysis showed significant relationship between back pain and gender, lifting loads more than 25 kg, age, work experiences and education, between knee pain and, age, work experiences and education, between shoulder pain and work experiences, and between neck pain and lifting loads more than 25 kg and age. Due to a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and harmful postures in farm workers, revision of work operation and use of appropriate equipments in these jobs and ergonomic intervention is suggested in order to correct poor postures.