Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Maryam Amirmahani
• Sanaz Sharif
• Zahra Zangiabadi
• Hassan Marzban
• Anahita Hejazi
• Faeze Makki

Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: As one of the important occupational groups in the field of agriculture, citrus harvest workers face various ergonomic risk factors, such as the risk of MSDs. In the present study, the 3D static strength prediction program (3DSSPP) was used to investigate MSD discomfort and evaluate biomechanical stresses.
Moreover, the correlations between the biomechanical stresses and the prevalence of MSDs among citrus harvest workers were investigated.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 105 citrus harvest workers with at least one year of work experience participated. All job tasks were analyzed using the hierarchical task analysis (HTA) method. The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), body map, and 3DSSPP were used to collect data. The correlations of MSDs with individual characteristics and forces acting on the body were investigated.
Results: The findings showed that the highest reports of pain and discomfort were in the back region and the highest biomechanical force was applied to the L5/S1 disc during sorting, while the force distribution and balance status were appropriate in all activities. Analysis of the correlation showed that biomechanical forces, age, and work experience were among the effective risk factors
of MSDs.
Conclusion: According to the results, the prevalence of MSDs was high, especially in the back and neck. The biomechanical forces on the spine and other joints in each task can be affected by the weight of the citrus boxes, the height of lifting and putting down the boxes, and the static sitting and standing postures during picking and sorting tasks.

Highlights

Maryam Amirmahani (Google Scholar) 

Sanaz Sharif (Google Scholar)

Keywords

• Ergonomics
• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Farmers
• Musculoskeletal Diseases
• Harvesting