The relationship between musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic risk factors in truck drivers

The risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to various work factors such as ergonomic factors in truck drivers is considerable. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ergonomic risk factors on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in truck drivers.

This cross-sectional was a descriptive-analytical study that was performed on 200 professional truck drivers by two-stage cluster sampling. The ergonomics and safety of drivers’ questionnaire including demographic characteristics, working conditions (stress and job satisfaction), pain in nine areas of the body in the last 12 months based on body map were used. The central indicators and Spearman non-parametric statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

The mean (±standard deviation) age of drivers was 47.5±9years, who drove an average of 10.66 hours in 24 hours. 99.5% of drivers complained of low back pain, of which 40% were mild and 59.5% were severe. Also, 59.5% reported severe pain in the knee area. The relationship between pain in the elbow and foot with moving and carrying of loads as well as neck and wrist pain with hand and arm movements was significant (p<0005). No significant relationship was found between pain in nine areas of the body and job satisfaction.

Ergonomic risk factors play an important role in the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in drivers, which requires special training and attention to this occupational group along with preventive and therapeutic measures.