RISK-FACTORS FOR WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN AN ALUMINUM SMELTER

Across-sectional study of selected jobs in an aluminum smelter was con ducted to assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disord ers (WMDs), and to estimate their association with physical and psycho social characteristics of the jobs. A structured interview and physica l exam were used to assess the musculoskelatal hlth status of the part icipants, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the psychosocial factors. Observational job analysis was conducted to eva luate 37 potential physical firks factors. Complete data were availabl e for 104 subjects. The prevalence of WMDs on interview and physical e xam were 0.8%, 14.9%, 11.6%, 14.9%, and 17.4% for the neck, shoulder, elbow/forearm, hand/wrist, and low back regions, respectively. Uncondi tional multiple logistic regression was used to model the relationship between physical and psychosocial factors and health status. Years of forearm twisting were found to be a significant predictor for hand/wr ist disorders on interview (OR = 17, 95% CI = 2.9-106); for elbow/fore arm disorders on physical exam and interview (OR = 37, 95% CI = 3.0-47 0); and for shoulder disorders on interview (OR = 92, 95% CI = 73-infi nity) and on interview and physical exam (OR = 46, 95% CI = 3.8-550). Low decision latitude was also found to be significant for the shoulde r on interview (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.3-16). High job satisfaction (OR = 5.9, 95% CI = 1.4-25) and low social support (OR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.3 -22) were associated with low back pain report on interview; only high job satisfaction (OR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.1-26) was associated with law back pain on both interview and physical exam. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, In c.