Ergonomic risk assessment of work stations and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among employees of Refah Bank in Shiraz

Fallah  H; Ghetmiri  SF; Sefidkar  R; Mortazavi Mehrizi  M

doi:10.18502/tkj.v17i4.20925

Fallah H Assistant Professor, Industrial Diseases Research Center, Department of Ergonomics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Ghetmiri SF Msc. Student, Department of Ergonomics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Sefidkar R Assistant Professor, Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mortazavi Mehrizi M Assistant Professor, Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v17i4.20925

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, ROSA method, Nordic questionnaire, bank employees, ergonomic risk assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) pose significant health risks to office workers, particularly bank employees who perform combined computer and paperwork tasks. However, ergonomic assessments in Iran's banking sector remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate ergonomic risk factors in workstations and determine the prevalence and severity of WMSDs among Refah Bank employees in Shiraz.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024, involving 77 stratified sampled employees from bank branches. Workstations were assessed using a researcher-designed checklist and the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method. The prevalence of WMSDs over the past 12 months was measured using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire across nine body regions, while symptom severity was quantified via the Body Map Scale (0–5). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis; P < 0.05).

Results: Findings revealed an alarmingly high WMSD prevalence of 89.6%, predominantly affecting the neck (76.6%), shoulders, and lower back ( 70.1%). A significant association was found between the number of painful body regions and both age and work experience (P< 0.05), with increasing age and tenure linked to greater involvement of body areas. The mean ROSA score (7.1 ± 4.56) indicated high ergonomic risk, particularly for input devices and monitors.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of WMSDs and elevated ROSA scores among bank employees underscore the urgent need for ergonomic interventions targeting this occupational group. Such interventions should encompass workstation redesign and employee training. Future longitudinal studies should evaluate intervention efficacy and incorporate psychosocial factors.