Ergonomic evaluation of the musculoskeletal disorders risk by QEC method in forest harvesting

Today, skeletal musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important occupational health issues and have a high prevalence in almost all occupations, and preventing it involves evaluating and modifying working conditions. This study aims at assessing the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders of work by QEC in forestry workers of two regions of Guilan and Mazandaran forests. In this study, statistical population included 51 workers in three jobs of felling and bucking, skidder driver, and manual loading worker were studied by census method. The Nordic questionnaire and QEC method were used for determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and assessing the risk of these disorders, respectively. The results showed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was in the waist, neck and back segments, respectively. The significant relationship between weight, body mass index, work experience and smoking with musculoskeletal disorders was observed. Results of QEC evaluation showed that the 72.6 percent of worker are in risk level of 4, while these values for risk level 1, 2, and 3 were 7.8, 9.8, and 9.8, respectively. In vibration exposure, speed of operation and stress about 64.7, 62.7, and 70.6 percent of worker were in high and very high levels. The results indicate a high prevalence of disorder among workers. The main ergonomic problems in study area include inappropriate physical condition, bending and twisting of the waist, lifting and carrying heavy loads, vibration, speed during work and stress.