An Investigation of Musculoskeletal Disorders Using the QEC Method among the Welders of Khorramabad, Iran, in 2015

Based on recently conducted research, the reason for more than half of the absences from the work environment and one-third of the work-related compensation claims is attributable to musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders and assess the risk of these disorders among the welders of Khorramabad, Iran.
This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 170 welders employed in Khorramabad, Iran. The welders were selected using the census sampling method. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was evaluated using a Nordic questionnaire. To assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, the QEC method was used. Data analysis was done using the indices of central tendency and t-test.
The results showed that the prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorders is highest in the back (70%), the knees (54.1%), the trunk (50%). The QEC assessment results showed that, in 83.8% of the cases, the risk of developing such diseases is high and very high.
This study showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the studied welders is high. Additionally, the risk of developing these disorders is also high. Based on these results, among the causes of musculoskeletal disorders among welders, uncomfortable working posture, manual lifting and carrying of loads, and the bending and twisting of the spine and back can be mentioned. In addition to these results, this study showed that the QEC method can offer reliable results.