Development of a predictive model for low back musculoskeletal disorders based on occupational and lifestyle risk factors
Abstract
Low back musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) contribute to tremendous cost to employers and human suffering to employees. This study addresses the multi-factorial health and safety risk factors related to low back MSDs in the most comprehensive approach to date. At a Midwest university, existing workplace injury data were combined with health risk assessment data and analyzed using a logistic model to determine the associated low back MSDs risk factors: age, cause of injury, night shift, fatigue, emotional health, stress level and physical & emotional impairment. The impact (based on the odds ratio) of each of these seven risk factors on the occurrence of low back MSDs differed significantly. Age is an effect modifier altering the odds ratio of the risk factors associated with low back MSDs. For the four decades between 20 through 60 years, each of the four age groups showed a unique occupational and lifestyle risk factor profile that is associated with low back MSDs. For ages 20–30, employees reported lifting, twisting and/or bending and being fatigued, for 30–40 employees reported lifting, twisting and/or bending and being emotionally tired, for 40–50 employees reported lifting, twisting and/or bending, slips, trips and/or falls and chronic physical health issues, and for 50–60 employees reported lifting, twisting and/or bending, slips, trips and/or falls, and poor physical health. Generally, employees 40 years and younger reported more lifting, twisting and/or bending and emotional risk factors, whereas, employees 40 years and older reported lifting, twisting and/or bending, slips, trips and/or falls and physical risk factors were associated with low back MSDs. It is suggested that in order to reduce low back MSDs from lifting, twisting and/or bending in the workforce, preventative strategies such as ergonomics and wellness programs to reduce such injuries should focus on controlling the varying occupational and lifestyle risk factors within the four age groups between 20 through 60 years old. For employees less than 40 years old, the focus for reducing low back MSDs should be on understanding, managing, and preventing lifting, twisting and/or bending and emotional health issues. For employees 40 years and older, the focus for reducing low back MSDs should be on understanding, managing, and preventing lifting, twisting and/or bending, slips, trips and/or falls and physical health issues.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Barany, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Industrial engineering|Health sciences|Health care management
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