Musculoskeletal symptoms due to technical preconditions in long cycle timework in an automobile assembly plant: a study of prevalence and relation to psychosocial factors and physical exposure

The aim was to evaluate the prevailing ergonomic conditions in a paralleliz ed flow, long cycle time, assembly system. The evaluation focused on physic al exposure, psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms . A random sample of 67 assembly operators was included in a cross-sectiona l study mainly based on questionnaires. Hand/wrist symptoms were common and related to work exposure with hand-held powered tools. In general, the sel f-reported physical exposure showed only a few significant associations wit h musculoskeletal symptoms. This may in part be explained by the ergonomic conditions generally being good, with a relatively low duration of 'combine d' extreme work postures. Significant associations were found between the p sychosocial work environment and musculoskeletal symptoms. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.