الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 207 |  |  |
| | | from | 207 | | |
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries and disorders of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage) and nervous system. They can affect nearly all tissues, including the nerves and tendon sheaths, and most frequently involve the arms and back. Work-related MSDs occur when the physical capabilities of the worker do not match the physical requirements of the job. Prolonged exposure to ergonomic risk factors can cause damage a worker‘s body and lead to MSDs.
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among main office employees in the Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO), to evaluate ergonomics inside the workstations and finally to design a plan to minimize the resulting WMSDs and propose specific ergonomically based interventions that would address employees’ health, comfort and wellbeing and there by enhance optimum performance.
A cross-sectional study was designed including 200 employees who agree to participate. Self-administrated questionnaire were filledto collect data about personal data; marital status, occupation, work duration, working years and working hours per day, rest breaks and total work effort. It includes also questions about health complaints and recent medical consultation because of pain.
A checklist about design of workstation (chairs desks, monitors, keyboard& mouse position, lighting, noise…etc) and the practice of employees (posture& repetitive movements) was observed for each of them.
All participants were subjected to clinical examination for tenderness, limitation of movement and deformities.
Data obtained was analyzed quantitatively using the SPSS and Microsoft Excel, and results presented through tables, and graphs. Pictures of unique offices showing office arrangement, seating arrangement, furniture …etc. were also included for good visual effect.
The research identified considerable office ergonomic deficiencies which included awkward working posture and bad chair adjustment. Total ergonomics in the workplace was 65%.
The prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders WMSDs was 72%. The most widely spread of which was bone and muscle pain 64%. The highest recorded MSD was back pain 53%.
It also came to light that more than half the number of participants was exposed to medium job stress that may be also a risk factor in experiencing WMSDs. Back pain was a natural end for bad sitting posture, bad chair adjustment and job stress.
Recommendationsto promote better ergonomics in the GASCO and increase employees’ awareness to define risk factors that may predispose to WMSDs and control them.
Workplace design ergonomically
Implement an ongoing training program
Workers should be motivated to adopt ergonomics
Alternate strain by changing task (job rotation)