The welders posture assessment by OWAS technique

Now musculoskeletal disorders are common among occupational disorders and these are one reason for absence of the work that lead to reduction of performance. According the report of Social Security organization in 1990-1993, musculoskeletal disorders had led to 14.4% impairments in Iran. By these statistics, the aim of this study is the assessment of musculoskeletal disorders associated with welding by OWAS posture assessment method.

First we Nordic questions are to determine whether this job requires ergonomic assessment and then posture were photographed during 40 minutes for 30 seconds. Intervals At the last, the associated pictures to any posture were evaluated with OWAS method.

The most necessary corrective for lumbar and arms is in level 2, whereas these for legs and complex postures are in level 1.

Most musculoskeletal complains are in lumbar (52%), knee (48%) and back (38%). Therefore, OWAS can be suitable method for assessment of postures in this job.